D-Metal Stars
D-Metal Stars is a band spun off of the successful Animetal USA project originally launched in Japan. The band covers heavy metal versions of popular Disney songs on Walt Disney Records.
Members
- Michael Vescera (Obsession, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Loudness, etc..) - Vocals / Backing Vocals / Keyboards
- Rudy Sarzo (ex-Ozzy Osbourne, ex-Whitesnake, ex-Quiet Riot, etc...) - Bass
- John Bruno (Obsession, Michael Vescera, and X Factor X) - Guitar / Backing Vocals
- BJ Zampa (House of Lords, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Obsession, and ex-Dokken) - Drums
Metal Disney
The debut album "Metal Disney" was released in October 2016 on Walt Disney Records in the Japanese market. It reached #3 on the Amazon Japan Hard Rock / Metal Best Sellers chart, and #2 on the Children's Chart. The album was then released for the US Market on March 31, 2017 by UMG, Universal Music Group landing on the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon charts.
In June 2017, Metal Disney became a #1 Best Seller on "Amazon Hard Rock & Metal Digital Music Best Sellers" chart.
The album was engineered by Michael Vescera, with assistant engineering by Billy Burke. Mixed and Mastered by Greg Reely whose prior credits include Sarah McLachlan, Fear Factory, Machine Head, Coldplay, Devin Townsend, and Overkill.
The song "I see the Light" from Disney's Tangled features special guests Demon Kakka on guest Vocal for the second half and Jeff Watson doing guest guitar solos.
Keyboard solo in the "Mickey Mouse March" by Michael Nunno. Additional backing vocals provided by Michael Vescera's brothers, Nat Vescera and Gary Vescera as well as John Bruno's wife, Gail Bruno.
Highest chart positions
June 2017
- #1 "Amazon Hard Rock & Metal Digital Music Best Sellers"
April 2017
- #21 "Billboard Kids Albums Chart"
- #10 "Billboard Spotify Viral 50" - Under the Sea
- #21 "Billboard Spotify Viral 50" - Mickey Mouse March
- #26 "Billboard Spotify Viral 50" - It's a Small World
- #92 "iTunes Chart"
- #5 "Amazon Hard Rock & Metal Digital Music Best Sellers"
- #14 "Amazon Rock Digital Music Best Sellers"
October 2016 (Japan Release)
- #3 "Amazon Japan Hard Rock & Metal Best Sellers"
- #2 "Amazon Japan Childrens Best Sellers"
Metal Disney - Track Listing
- 01 Introduction
- 02 “Mickey Mouse March”
- 03 “I See the Light”
- 04 “A Whole New World”
- 05 “It’s a Small World”
- 06 “Beauty and the Beast”
- 07 “Under the Sea”
- 08 “Go the Distance”
- 09 “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”
- 10 Disney Medley
- 11 “When You Wish Upon a Star”
References
- "Rolling Stone Magazine"
- "Perez Hilton"
- "Inquisitr"
- "Metal Sucks"
- "Konbini"
- "Hello Giggles"
- "Maximum Metal"
- "iTunes Chart - April 2017"
- "Alternative Press"
- "Ultimate Guitar"
- "Screen Crush"
- "Stereo Gum"
- "LoudWire"
- "Disney Music Shop - D-Metal Stars"
- "Walt Disney Records - Japan - D-Metal Stars"
- Bravewords - D-Metal Stars
- DR Productions - D-Metal Stars
- Melodic Rock
- Kawaii - American Rock Stars release Disney album
- All Music - D-Metal Stars
- iTunes - Japan
- Mikiki - Japan
- Musicman-Net - Japan
- "D-Metal Stars - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
- "Inside Disney's Attempt to Go Metal on New Covers Compilation".