Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has announced that his namesake band Ellefson will be releasing a new song. “Simple Truth” is slated to hit Bandcamp on April 10 and all other digital outlets on April 17.
“Simple Truth” is the first single from Ellefson’s upcoming, as-yet-untitled sophomore album. The album follows the 2019 release of Sleeping Giants and features “several new songs and reworkings of previous instrumental solo material Ellefson recorded with vocalist Thom Hazaert.
Said Hazaert about the track:
“Lyrically, the song is really about not giving up and not taking any shit. Tuning out the noise and going after your dreams no matter what, and not letting anyone tell you can’t do something. And, I guess, living out the bizarre ‘Rock Star’-like scenario of being in a band with David, the guy from Megadeth, who really was one of my idols, I guess it’s fairly autobiographical. But we’re all extremely proud of it, and really this whole record we’re making, it’s just a straight up, ass-kicking heavy hard rock record.”
All proceeds made from the sale and streaming of “Simple Truth” will be donated to Croce Rossa Italiana, the Italian Red Cross, in an effort to fight COVID-19 in Italy. Said Ellefson in a statement (reported by Blabbermouth):
“We actually wrote the song in Milan during a tour rehearsal, and a lot of it was recorded there. We’ve gone back and forth with Andy in Italy, from the Platinum Underground in Phoenix, and with our mixer and co-engineer Alessio Garavello in London. While we’re all staying positive and just keeping busy, it’s heartbreaking to see what’s going on over there with the death toll climbing every day. We played several shows in Italy on our European ‘More Live With Deth’ tour last year, and I was just there with Megadeth back in February. It’s absolutely devastating to see what the country is going through right now. The people, and its culture, have been so welcoming to me over the years, that i’m honored to do anything I can to give something back to them during this time of need.”
Adds Hazaert:
“While David has been there a million times over the years with MEGADETH, our tour last year was really my first experience with the amazing people and culture of Italy. Now half of our band, who have become dear friends, live there, which makes it hit even closer to home. Working on this record with these guys, who are just going after it 100%, while basically at ground zero for this whole crazy pseudo-apocalyptic scenario we’re all living in right now, really gives you a different perspective.”
Concludes Hazaert about the song:
“There’s an amazing musical chemistry, and I know, personally, I can’t wait for people to hear it. And to be able to use it as an opportunity to give back to our friends in Italy makes it that much more special.”
This isn’t the first time Ellefson has decided to help those affected by COVID-19. Through his David Ellefson Youth Music Foundation’s School’s Out initiative, he has also, according to Blabbermouth, “gift[ed] displaced students with free instruments and equipment, and pair[ed] them with lessons from rock star music instructors.”
