After the untimely murder of Dimebag Darrell Abbot of Pantera and Damageplan, many metal fans wondered what would happen to Dimebag’s brother and band mate, Vinny Paul. Vinny started his own record company called Big Vin Records, and since he’s been playing in bands for decades and is one of the best metal drummers of all-time, it’s safe to say that he has an ear for talent. But metal loyalists were waiting, some not so patiently as others, to see Vinny get behind a kit again. Well, metal fans, our prayers have been answered in the form of Hell Yeah–metal’s newest supergroup.With ingredients taken from metal heavy hitters Pantera, Mudvayne, and Nothingface, Hell Yeah is aiming to restore what Metal has lost over the couple of years. With a lot of metal bands heading towards the hardcore and posthardcore genres, Hell Yeah is just hard-hitting, in your face metal and rock and roll. Vinny Paul takes care of the drums, while Jerry Montano of Nothingface covers the rest of the rhythm section on bass. He’s joined by Nothingface band mate Tom Maxwell and Greg Tribbett of Mudvayne on guitar. Mudvayne’s signature vocalist, Chad Gray handles the screeching singing. Obviously, with all this talent, metal fans are going to get their fill.
Only being members since August of 2006, Hell Yeah are already favorites on the networking site MySpace.com/hellyeah with over 40,000 fans.
They’ve only had their songs up for a couple of months and have received very little press, compared to such acts as Fall Out Boy and Panic! At the Disco. The debut album is set to come out on April 10 and will most likely come in at #1 on the Billboard charts with such a great mix of talent. There are currently three songs up on their MySpace site to listen to and all three are amazing.
I am a huge Pantera and Mudvayne fan, and I’ve seen Nothingface a few times. Although they’re not a favorite, I do like them a lot, so I am pumped to hear so many of my favorite musicians jamming together. The first time I heard the song “HELLYEAH,” I started to freak out. It’s blasting drums at the very beginning got me so excited because I was hearing Vinny Paul for the first time in years.
And before I get over my elation, I hear Chad’s voice completely take over, and it blew me away because it was the first new song that he’s sung on since Mudvayne’s “Lost and Found” of 2005. The guitars are not of the shredding variety on any of the songs, but they are loud, abrasive, and as heavy as some of my one-night stands. The first single is set to be “You Wouldn’t Know,” which is the most complete song available on the site. I’m sure it will be a hit amongst metal fans.
Anticipation is mounting, and the next month cannot go by quick enough for so many others and myself. Hell Yeah takes five incredible musicians from incredible bands and makes something unique, which is what so many others have failed to accomplish. The only drawback is that Hell Yeah is a side project, and they won’t tour or promote as much, but that’s okay. We don’t want to take away from the other great bands and the small dose of one album is enough to get metal fans excited again.
So, am I stoked to see a metal supergroup form before my eyes? Hell yeah.