Twinmusix got to speak to Mark Menghi from KING ULTRAMEGA.
TM - Hi, this is Amelia and Elizabeth from Twinmusix, and we are here with Mark Menghi from KING ULTRAMEGA. Thank you for having this interview with us today, we appreciate it.
KU - Thank you.
TM - You have described KING ULTRAMEGA as the result of a “trail of events” rather than a single catalyst. When you look back now, what was the earliest moment that hinted this tribute might one day take shape?
KU - It was a lengthy process. We released our song not as KING ULTRAMEGA we released it as "Rusty Cage" in 2020, back in the pandemic, and that kick-started the idea of doing something. Fast forward to 2025, five years later, that is when we planted the seed, to not only do this, but I needed a reason to do this. Then the charity angle kicked in, and that was the why. We wanted to give back, and raise awareness of mental health and spread Chris's music. That was where it started, in early 2025.
TM - What made you want to cover "Rusty Cage"?
KU - We had nothing to do, and everyone was locked down in COVID. As a musician you just want to jam with your friends. I was talking to "Bill Kelliher" from "Mastodon", and we were going back on fourth and saying Let's jam a song together and we chose Rusty Cage. I said I can probably get "Charlie Benanti" from "Anthrax" on it, and then he said I can probably get "William DuVall" from "Alice in Chains" on it. We released it, and people loved it, that was it till 2025. When the Chris Cornell Tribute charity came about, we said we already had this first song done, so we remixed it, remastered it, and released it.
TM - Covering Chris Cornell is a sacred undertaking, you called it stepping into “uncharted waters.” What finally convinced you that you could honour his voice with the level of respect and authenticity it demands?
KU - Covering "Chris Cornell's" music is not easy, it is one of the most difficult tasks I have been given. His musicianship is phenomenal, and whoever dares to sing one of his songs, it's tough. He is one of the best vocalists ever, and it is very hard to sing his music. God knows, I couldn't do it, but Lizzy Hale, William DuVall, and everyone who is singing are giving these songs justice.
TM - The lineup of musicians involved is remarkable, yet you’ve said there were no egos in the room. What is it about Chris Cornell’s legacy that brought such diverse, genre‑defining artists together with a shared sense of purpose?
KU - I am sitting in my studio, and I have a note here that says Do what is best for the song. It is my reminder to not just put anyone on the song, don't just get a musician on a song just because you have to finish one. It is my reminder to do what is best for the song, no matter how long it takes. It is about who I think could deliver the song, not only musically but spiritually. It has nothing to do with music, it is to get the best possible performance. If you listen to Lizzy Hale or Richie Kotzen on the song "Say Hello 2 Heaven", you really get an A+ performance, because I am hypercritical about who is on each track.
TM - Kim Thayil re‑recording one of his own SOUNDGARDEN songs is an extraordinary moment. How was it working with him?
KU - It was awesome, if you had asked teenager me if you would be on a "Soundgarden" song with "Kim Thayil" and another one with "Matt Cameron" I would probably laugh in your face and say get the f*** out of here there is no way to play with "Kim". It means the world to me. They actually want to be involved in this project and to have their backing, and not only their backing but their manager support and "The Cornell Estate" Support is everything.
TM - Your song choices were driven by instinct and mood rather than strategy. Was there a track that evolved in a way that surprised you either in how it came to you or in how the collaborators transformed it?
KU - All the tracks surprised me, I knew "Say Hello 2 Heaven" was going to be good. It was good hearing Richie Kotzen first demo of the song, I was absolutely blown away. The second song was "Preaching The End Of The World" with Ian Thornley singing.
TM - Throughout the process, you kept returning to one guiding question: “How would Chris like this?” How did that standard influence your decisions around arrangements, production, and the overall identity of the project?
KU - Everything I do for this project, the first question I ask is what would Chris Cornell think of this, how would he like this musician, how would he like this mix, how would he like to demo, would he like this single cover. That is how I have been going about everything. I do what is best for the song. Another note that I have over here is, "What would Chris think", and that has been driving this entire thing. It can't be about me, or egos, or the egos of other guest musicians. If I think Chris Cornell will approve of it, and I get that really good feeling, then we move forward.
TM - Do you have a favourite memory of watching Chris Cornell play live?
KU - One that comes to mind is that it was a solo show, and it was just Chris Cornell and an acoustic guitar in New York City. He played in a place called The Beacon Theatre, it was a beautiful place in Manhattan, and it was him and an acoustic guitar for two and a half hours. I was mesmerized by what he was doing and how he was singing and playing.
Euphoria Morning solo tour in 1999. It was about seeing Chris Cornell on his first ever solo tour before his album "Euphoria Morning" came out, and it blew me away.
TM - Did Chris Cornell ever make you want to play music, and did he influence your style of music?
KU - Chris Cornell's music is a part of my DNA, and it has been for a very long time. I discovered Soundgarden in a record store when I was a kid, record stores is something I used to go to, and it felt like I almost lived in one. Chris Cornell has really been the one musical constant in my life; I have never wavered or not listened to something he has been involved with.
TM - If you could go back in time and say Chris Cornell live, what Album would you go back and see him play?
KU - I would go back to Seattle in the 80s to see Soundgarden in that raw organic form when they were rising in fame. To see them in Seattle, in a bar, in the late 80s would be amazing. I wish I were there to experience that and see that. I saw them in a small Club back in New York around 1990, but they were popular by then. I would have loved to see them when they weren't popular.
TM - MusiCares plays a meaningful role in this project, with every musician supporting its mission. What does it mean to you personally to have KING ULTRAMEGA tied to a foundation dedicated to helping artists in crisis, and how does that connection reflect the spirit of Chris Cornell’s legacy?
KU - MusiCares was selected by Kim Thayil. It is an organisation that they would always donate to personally and quietly. Chris Cornell donated to it and worked with the charity, so it is a logical charity to do because their surviving members are still into it. When Chris Cornell was alive, he was into it, and that is why we chose MusiCares. A lot of people think musicians are happy and rock stars and live a good life, but it is a very difficult world. There is a lot of downtime and a lot of Constant criticism and people bashing on you, and it's tough. Whatever you are going through, personal problems, at home, or you are struggling with drugs and alcohol, whatever it might be.
For me, it is important to raise the flag for people to know that there is an organisation out there that helps musicians and is there to provide support for musicians, but not only musicians if you are a band Crew or bus driver for a tour what ever you might be one the tour they are there to help you and it is important that people in the music world know that. If we can help at least one person, that is everything to me.
TM - It is an amazing charity.
TM - Is there anything else you want to say to your fans?
KU - Pick up the phone and call somebody, your not alone. I bet there are people that are willing to listen. I am willing to help, and that is what KING ULTRAMEGA is about Helping people and reaching out for that help.
TM - Thank you for having this interview with us today; we appreciate it.
KU - Thank you.