ELLEFSON-SOTO, the heavy metal collaboration between former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and acclaimed vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, took the stage at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on April 9, delivering a high-energy performance to a packed house.
The show featured the full live lineup of the project: Ellefson on bass, Soto on vocals, Andy Martongelli and Walter Cianciusi on guitars, and Paolo Caridi behind the kit. The performance served as a warm-up ahead of the band's appearance on the Monsters Of Rock cruise, running April 12–17 and bringing together some of heavy music's most celebrated names.
ELLEFSON-SOTO formed in 2022 when Ellefson, seeking a vocalist for material he had been developing, connected with Soto — whose impressive résumé spans stints with Journey, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra among many others. The collaboration quickly evolved into a fully functioning band. They have released two albums through Rat Pak Records: "Vacation In The Underworld" (2022) and "Unbreakable" (2025).
In recent months, the band released two cover songs recorded at Battery Studios in London in July 2025, honoring both Elvis Presley and punk outfit FEAR — demonstrating their willingness to stretch beyond a melodic hard rock comfort zone.
Ellefson has been clear about the musical philosophy behind the project: "Heavy is cool, but it's gotta have some melody that a mainstream listener can get around." It is a guiding principle that has helped ELLEFSON-SOTO carve out a loyal following on both sides of the metal spectrum, and the Whisky show confirmed the band has the live chops to back it up.