The annual Metal Allegiance Anaheim show is back on the calendar. The supergroup of Mark Menghi, Alex Skolnick, Mike Portnoy and David Ellefson returns to House of Blues Anaheim on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027, with guests including Fredrik Akesson of Opeth, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth of Overkill, John Bush of Armored Saint, Marty Friedman, Todd La Torre of Queensryche, Troy Sanders of Mastodon and Angel Vivaldi, according to Blabbermouth. Marty Friedman’s band, Wicked and Lost Legacy are in support. The announcement says “and more,” so expect other guests.
Metal Allegiance Anaheim Tickets
- Live Nation presale: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. Pacific).
- General on-sale: Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. Pacific).
- VIP: Meet-and-greet and soundcheck packages are on sale now, according to the announcement.
Until the presale starts, Metal Allegiance Anaheim VIP packages are the only way in. The announcement lists the times as “EST”; the Pacific times are our conversion. Ticket prices and set times weren’t included, and the announcement doesn’t say whether the show is all ages.
Who’s Playing
The core band is founder Mark Menghi (King Ultramega), Testament guitarist Skolnick, Dream Theater drummer Portnoy and ex-Megadeth bassist Ellefson. The guests announced so far for the Metal Allegiance Anaheim night:
- Fredrik Akesson (Opeth)
- Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Overkill)
- John Bush (Armored Saint)
- Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth)
- Todd La Torre (Queensryche)
- Troy Sanders (Mastodon)
- Angel Vivaldi
Friedman is doing double duty. His band is also opening, and he said it’s “coming from Japan to open the show.”
A SoCal Tradition Since 2014
Menghi said the Anaheim show started more than a decade ago: “It’s hard to believe we first launched this Anaheim tradition back in 2014 when METAL ALLEGIANCE was just getting off the ground. It’s been an incredible ride. Over a decade of thrashing Anaheim with original music, surprise guests, and epic jams – and somehow, every single year the energy just gets crazier. See you in the pit, SoCal!”
Portnoy called it “always one of my favorite shows of the year.” Skolnick said “2026 was one of the most memorable MA hits yet,” and that this year’s show will have “some returning favorites and a few first timers coming into the fold.” Ellefson called it “a METAL ALLEGIANCE family reunion.”
One of those first-timers is La Torre. “This will be my first time participating with METAL ALLEGIANCE, and I know it’s going to be an awesome time for everyone involved and everyone in attendance,” he said. Vivaldi singled him out too: “getting to trade riffs with Alex and Marty, two guys I’ve admired for a very long time, while finally getting to throw down with Todd makes this one especially exciting for me. The guy’s voice is unreal… especially live!” Vivaldi also said “the setlist this year is killer,” though no songs have been announced.
Bush promised “a smorgasbord of treats for the faithful,” and Blitz said: “Let’s get this epic, metal party started!!!!”
Friedman gave the most thoughtful take on what the Metal Allegiance Anaheim show is about: “MA is the unique show where you have a bunch of rock heroes who are living their dreams for a living, all together on the same stage, paying tribute to, and re-discovering the wonder of the music that first inspired them as kids. If heavy metal could ever be poignant, this is the show where it happens!”
Metal Allegiance in 2026
Per Blabbermouth, the band behind the Metal Allegiance Anaheim tradition has released two albums of original music and an EP. The band recently signed with Reigning Phoenix Music, and this past January released the single “Black Horizon,” its first original music since 2018, featuring Alice in Chains singer William DuVall.
The San Diego Angle
The Metal Allegiance Anaheim show is an easy trip up the 5 for San Diego fans, and it’s a Thursday, so plan around the work week. Vivaldi said the show “is worth a special trip if you’re coming from outside California, and a must-attend if you’re local.” For more on Bush’s and La Torre’s bands, see our Armored Saint and Queensryche at House of Blues San Diego coverage. For Skolnick’s main band, check Testament’s Nuclear Blast signing. For other big SoCal shows, see Trivium’s Inglewood date and our San Diego metal scene guide. There’s no San Diego date; the Metal Allegiance Anaheim show is the only date in this announcement.
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