"We're Honouring a Legend." Inside King Ultramega, the Star-Studded Tribute to Chris Cornell Featuring Members of Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Mastodon, Anthrax and More

Why It Matters

The initiative preserves Cornell’s artistic legacy while channeling fan enthusiasm into tangible mental‑health support for the music community, highlighting the power of cross‑genre collaboration for social good.

Key Takeaways

• Pandemic jam evolved into multi‑artist Cornell tribute
• Proceeds support MusiCares mental‑health services
• Features members from Soundgarden, Mastodon, Alice In Chains
• New releases include “Be Yourself,” “Say Hello 2 Heaven”
• Full tribute album slated for late 2026

Pulse Analysis

Chris Cornell’s influence extends far beyond his work with Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple Of The Dog, shaping the sound of modern alternative and hard rock. When his untimely death in 2017 left a void, fans and musicians alike sought ways to honor his songwriting and vocal prowess. Tribute projects have surfaced before, but few have combined the authenticity of peer musicians with a clear charitable mission, making King Ultramega a standout example of how legacy can be leveraged for broader impact.

Born from a spontaneous lockdown jam between Mark Menghi and Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher, King Ultramega quickly attracted heavy‑weight collaborators, including Anthrax’s Charlie Benante, Alice In Chains’ William DuVall, and Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil. The collective’s releases—starting with a “Rusty Cage” cover in 2020 and followed by tracks like “Be Yourself” and “Say Hello 2 Heaven”—have been distributed on YouTube and streaming platforms, each earmarked for MusiCares. By aligning the project with a mental‑health charity, the group not only commemorates Cornell’s artistic spirit but also addresses a pressing issue that many musicians face, reinforcing the industry’s growing focus on wellbeing.

Looking ahead, King Ultramega’s planned 2026 tribute album promises to deepen the partnership between legacy rock and contemporary talent, potentially featuring all surviving Soundgarden members. This model—fan‑driven, artist‑rich, charity‑oriented—offers a blueprint for future homage initiatives, demonstrating that reverence for musical icons can translate into actionable support for the community. As the album approaches, industry observers will watch how the project balances artistic fidelity with commercial viability, while its charitable component may inspire similar collaborations across genres.