King Ultramega honor the legacy of Chris Cornell with a new, dynamic and utterly respectful version of “Loud Love”, with an impressive group of musicians by their side: Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) on vocals, Alex Skolnick (Testament, Metal Allegiance) on guitar and Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam) on drums.
“`The release comes with an important initiative: King Ultramega are raising money and boosting awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s organization that supports musicians with mental health services, addiction programs and financial aid in times of crisis.
A landmark song, a new approach
“Loud Love”, from the album Louder Than Love (1989), remains one of the most characteristic Soundgarden songs, with Cornell’s performance a reference point for the entire scene.
To capture the warmth and analog feel of the era, Mark Menghi chose an old‑school recording process, working with reel‑to‑reel and live tracking, so that the energy would be captured as authentically as possible.
Lzzy Hale – “If there’s ever a moment for LOUD LOVE, it’s now”
Lzzy Hale, who takes on vocals, spoke about her approach:
- she didn’t try to imitate Cornell
- she went “inside” the song to convey its soul
- she treated the track as if it were her own, with absolute respect for the original
Hale also stressed that she continues to learn from Cornell, whether through his lyrics or through the raw power of his voice.
Alex Skolnick – Respect for Kim Thayil’s style
Skolnick explained that he tried to keep the balance between:
- the groove and rawness of Kim Thayil,
- and his own personal touch,
- without “covering up” the spirit of the song.
The recording was done live in the studio, with guitar and bass playing simultaneously — a process that, as he said, fits perfectly with the philosophy of Soundgarden.
Mark Menghi – Choosing the dream team
Menghi revealed that:
- he wanted Dave Krusen on drums from the start, because of his historic contribution to the Seattle scene
- Skolnick joined the project spontaneously, while they were working together on a new Metal Allegiance track
- Lzzy Hale was the last piece of the puzzle — and the ideal choice to handle Cornell’s “crazy” vocal demands
He himself described Hale’s involvement as “humbling and an honor.”
A project dedicated to Chris Cornell
King Ultramega were created to honor the life, voice and work of Chris Cornell, with the cover released alongside the long-awaited induction of Soundgarden into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sources
- https://metal-stop.com/king-ultramega-honor-soundgarden-with-new-loud-love-cover-ft-lzzy-hale/
