Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
King Ultramega have released a powerful interpretation of “Dead Wishes” featuring Brann Dailor (Mastodon) at the helm performing lead vocals. Recorded in loving memory of Chris Cornell, King Ultramega are also raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health services, addiction recovery support, and emergency assistance to members of the music community.
Originally written and performed by Chris Cornell, the compelling, emotive and introspective “Dead Wishes” appears on his 2015 album “Higher Truth”. In this latest tribute offering from King Ultramega, lead vocals are performed by Brann Dailor (Mastodon), with both acoustic and electric guitars performed by Angel Vivaldi. Strings conducted by Mark Menghi in addition to arrangements and composition of all orchestral instruments (including sleigh bells, shakers, hand drums, xylophones, violins, cellos), and bass performance, keyboards provided by Frank Mitaritonna, with drums and percussion by Kenny Aronoff. “Dead Wishes” was produced by Mark Menghi, with the cover artwork created by Costin Chioreanu.
Producer and bassist Mark Menghi comments on the creative direction and inspiration for the release, “I would constantly listen to the original version in moments of clarity, times of reflection, sitting in a sauna post-work out and/or cool down periods, etc. any time I needed to wind down or relax, I listened to it. As time went on, I became more and more connected to the song. I just love the simplicity of the song, the depth of the instrumentation, the acoustic guitar tone, etc. when tracking and producing our version, I wanted to stay true to the original but add things I was hearing in my head, hence the violins, cellos, keyboards, percussion, Leslie effects, xylophone, sleigh bells, etc. I wanted to create an atmospheric soundscape that would pay homage to the original.”
For Frank Mitaritonna, “Working on ‘Dead Wishes’ showed me the depth of his writing and helped me develop a deeper appreciation from my younger years, only consuming music through MTV or whatever records I could get my hands on. His lyrics are haunting and poetic, but feel relatable and personal which creates an incredibly deep, human experience for me as a listener, before any contributions.”
Kenny Aronoff adds, “Mark’s sound, feel and ideas are perfect on not only this track, but in all the KU tracks I’ve been a part of. When recording a song like this, it’s very important what you don’t play as much as what you decide to play.”
Menghi discusses his decision to recruit Brann Dailor on lead vocals, “As I was thinking on who could potentially sing this song, I heard a version of Mastodon covering “Stairway to Heaven” where Brann is singing lead vox and I just thought to myself “Well, he would be interesting on ‘Dead Wishes’.”
Brann Dailor shares, “First of all, I have to say what an incredible honor to even be asked to try and attempt a cover of one of Chris’s songs. The fact that Mark thought I could even come close to it is beyond flattering, and to be honest, my knee jerk reaction was to say “uh, no thank you, I’m not interested in embarrassing myself if I can help it” haha! The track itself was totally out of my wheelhouse so I thought it would be a great challenge and an opportunity to try to honor one of my favorite musicians and vocalists for a great cause.”
On leaving the drum kit behind, Dailor reveals, “It was actually really freeing, I felt like I could let loose a little bit knowing I wouldn’t have to also be playing drums.”
On balancing the arrangement of guitars on the track, Angel Vivaldi explains, “It’s very much about reading the room in terms of truly listening to what the song wants while being honest with what you have to offer it to expand its possibilities.”
The “Dead Wishes” Lineup Is:
Vocals: Brann Dailor
Acoustic & Electric Guitar: Angel Vivaldi
Bass: Mark Menghi
Keyboards: Frank Mitaritonna
Drums & Percussion: Kenny Aronoff
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