Altitudes & Attitude: The Hard Rock Supergroup Side Project
Altitudes & Attitude is a collaborative hard rock project formed by bassists Frank Bello of Anthrax and David Ellefson, formerly of Megadeth. The duo, originating from the United States, channeled their thrash metal pedigree into a melodic hard rock sound, releasing their debut album Get It Out in 2019.
Early career
The project began not as a formal band, but as a series of bass clinic collaborations between Bello and Ellefson around 2010. These sessions, focused on instrumental techniques, organically evolved into songwriting. Their first official release was the 2014 EP Altitudes & Attitude, featuring three original songs and a cover, which introduced their hook-driven rock style to fans of their main bands.
Breakthrough
The full-length debut album Get It Out arrived in January 2019 via Megaforce Records. The album marked a significant departure from the members' thrash roots, embracing vocal melodies and introspective lyrics. While not a mainstream chart phenomenon, the record achieved critical and fan recognition within the rock community, solidifying the project as a serious creative outlet.
Key tracks
Part of Me — This track from the debut EP showcased the project's accessible, melodic rock sound and established their songwriting partnership.
Get It Out — The anthemic title track from the 2019 album serves as a mission statement, blending crunchy guitar riffs with a soaring, memorable chorus.
Out Here — A later single that continued to refine the duo's blend of hard rock energy and reflective, personal lyricism.
Booze and Cigarettes — This song exemplifies the project's gritty, street-level storytelling set against a straightforward rock backdrop.
Late — A track highlighting the more emotional and ballad-oriented side of the Get It Out album.
The live band for touring was expanded to include guitarist Jeff Young, also formerly of Megadeth, and drummer Paulo Paguntalan. This lineup allowed Altitudes & Attitude to perform their material at festivals and select shows, further distinguishing the project from the members' legendary thrash metal affiliations.
Fans of melodic hard rock should also explore The Winery Dogs. This supergroup similarly features veteran rock musicians focusing on songcraft. Adler delivers a comparable blend of 80s-inspired rock with modern production. For the collaborative spirit, check out The Damned Things, another crossover project featuring members of Anthrax. The melodic sensibilities can also be heard in Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators.
The music of Altitudes & Attitude receives regular airplay on dedicated hard rock and classic rock FM stations, as well as on specialized online rock radio streams that champion collaborative projects and side ventures from established artists.
Listeners can discover the melodic hard rock of Altitudes & Attitude through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their tracks are included in rotations that celebrate rock's most intriguing collaborations.
