William DuVall has joined Metal Allegiance for their new single “Black Horizon,” marking a significant collaboration between the Alice in Chains vocalist and the supergroup, as reported by Metal Allegiance.
The collaboration brings together DuVall with Metal Allegiance members Alex Skolnick, Mark Menghi, and Mike Portnoy for this brooding new track. DuVall expressed his enthusiasm about being invited to contribute to the project.
“I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely honored to be asked to contribute to this song and I’m very happy with the result,” DuVall said.
Mike Portnoy also shared his excitement about the release, noting the extended timeline of the project.
“After having recording these drum tracks some time ago, I’m stoked that they finally get to see the light of day! Thanks to William for finishing it up for us and welcome to the MA family! \m/,” Portnoy said.
Alex Skolnick provided additional context about the song’s origins, describing it as a revival of previously unfinished material.
“This song is a gift from the ghost of MA past. It’s salvaged from a stockpile of riffs we’d started long ago but never quite finished,” Skolnick said. “Now, in combination with a first time voice for the band – the great William Duvall – we are pleased to announce a brand new track, forged from what once was, here to kick off a new era. Check it out!”
This collaboration represents a significant moment for DuVall, who has established himself as a prominent figure in the metal scene through his work with Alice in Chains and other projects.
Alice In Chains Wiki reported that DuVall joined Alice in Chains in 2006 and appears on the 2009 album Black Gives Way To Blue, replacing Layne Staley since his death in 2002. His integration into the band marked a new chapter for Alice in Chains, bringing his distinctive vocal style and guitar work to one of grunge’s most influential acts.
DuVall’s musical journey extends beyond his role in Alice in Chains. Wikipedia noted that he has a son who was born on March 18, 2009, the same day he finished recording his first studio album with Alice in Chains, Black Gives Way to Blue. This personal milestone coincided with a professional achievement that would define his career trajectory.
The vocalist’s diverse musical influences have shaped his approach to both Alice in Chains and collaborative projects like Metal Allegiance. Ultimate Guitar revealed that DuVall has cited Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys from 1971 as the first album he ever bought, demonstrating his early connection to groundbreaking rock music.
Metal Allegiance’s choice to feature DuVall on “Black Horizon” reflects the supergroup’s commitment to bringing together diverse voices from the metal community. Louder Sound documented that DuVall has also expressed admiration for Funkadelic’s Hardcore Jollies from 1976, showcasing the broad musical palette that he brings to his collaborations.
The single “Black Horizon” represents Metal Allegiance’s return with new material and marks the beginning of what Skolnick describes as a new era for the band.
