ELLEFSON-SOTO – Unbreakable [CD version w/ exclusive bonus track] (2025) *HQ*

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David Ellefson (ex- Megadeth) and acclaimed metal vocalist Jeff Scott Soto have once again joined forces as ELLEFSON-SOTO and released their highly anticipated second album “Unbreakable” in 2025, via Rat Pak Records.
The duo Ellefson-Soto is joined by Italian guitarist Andy Martongelli and Paolo Caridi on drums with guest appearances from Tim Ripper Owens (KK’s Priest) and Burning Witches’ front-woman Laura Guldemond.
This physical CD version includes an exclusive bonus track, a wonderful cover of Queen’s ‘Death On Two Legs’, where Jeff Scott Soto, of course, shines. The song features former Icon (Night of the Crime) founder John Aquilino as guest.
Recorded at Rogue Studios in Wembley UK by Alessio Garavello and produced by Chris Collier (Mick Mars, Korn, Flat Black) “Unbreakable” is a sonic assault packed with catchy riffs, melodic vocals, and thoughtful lyrics that blends their classic metal roots with modern hard rock intensity.

“This album digs even deeper than the previous” says Ellefson. “It’s heavier, more personal, and shaped by everything we’ve experienced on and off the stage.” Soto adds; “The energy we poured into this one—it’s the sound of two lifetimes colliding in riffs, rage, and redemption.”

The sound of this album is just as heavy as the first with a real modern rock sound. The band feels like they are way more comfortable with each other and they have developed their own sound and style and this whole album feels right.
They also brought in a little help as well as we get not one, but two duets on the album. One with the great Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest) and another with the amazing Laura Guldemond (Burning Witches). It is not that Jeff can’t handle the vocals all by himself because we know he can, but It is a chance to spread their wings and show what this band is capable of doing while keeping things fresh for the listener.

The album opens with the title track, “Unbreakable” and it is relentless. An assault to the senses while still being melodic at the same time thanks to the vocals of Jeff Scott Soto. The song sets up the album and lets you know what is in store for the rest of the album. The song speaks to not taking crap from anyone, standing up and fighting for yourself. The song isn’t just about Jeff, it is about everyone in the band and everyone in general as it says “We are Unbreakable” and that feeling that this is a “we” statement and not an “I” statement brings you the listener in to the realm of the song.

Things get turned up a notch with “SOAB” or more simply, Son Of A Bitch!! The song is brutal and ready to rip your arms off and beat you with them. Could the song be about former bandmates for either Jeff or David? Who knows, but I do know the song is pure ass kicking good. The guitar solo is ripping, the drums are so powerful. Jeff attacks the lyrics with a frenzied style, spitting out the lyrics with aggression. One of the best and coolest songs on the album.
“Shout” is another powerhouse. A little more melodic and less aggression, but still heavy and rather catchy as well. The guitar solo is even better than the last song. Jeff even has a few screams to add that are killer.

Then comes “Hate You, Hate Me” and be prepared to be pummeled. Jeff goes down and dirty with the vocals and that scream he makes before the solo, awesome. The bass work from Ellefson is simply killer and shows why he is so renowned. The band sounds like they are ready to fight and rip you a new one. When actually the lyrics are more about why do we need to hate, let it go and take a breath.
Now we get a song that is more what you’d expect from Jeff’s world…melodic and catchy. “Poison Tears” is also a duet with Laura Guldemond of Burning Witches and she adds so much flavor to this song. The chorus is huge like any good melodic rock song should be. I love Laura’s grit in her vocals, such a great metal singer in her own right. These two together bring us the song we didn’t know we needed.

Next up is the instrumental “Ghosts”. This started off as a practice riff that Andy does to warm up. David heard him playing it and said that is going on the album. The song starts off with a little flamenco style guitar work and then we get that riff that you can actually sing along to which I think always makes a riff great. Andy, Paolo and David really outdo themselves with this one. It has a great melody in that riff and it feels like a song not just an instrumental showboat.
The next duet is Jeff with Tim “Ripper” Owens formerly of Judas Priest. The song is another relentless barrage of power. “Vengeance” sees Jeff take on a new menacing personae matching the evilness of Tim. Some great back and forth between the two. Musically, the song is as thrash as these guys are going to get. The drum work is insane as Paolo destroys his set with the barrage of drum fills over and over again. Pure destruction with this one.

They completely change things up with the metal punky anthem with “Snakes & Bastards”. This homage to Motorhead gives you all the angst and power that you got from Motorhead. It is a speedy, energized and electric track. One of the most fun songs on the album. Totally killer…get in-get out type of track. An adrenaline filled showcase of a song. I think you get the point.
“It’s Over (When I Say It’s Over)” is another track that could be about their former bosses, but at the same time could be about a relationship. And Jeff has said this has a third meaning as it is also about standing up for yourself and saying nothing is over until you say it is no matter what it is. You are your own boss. More stellar bass work from David and Andy gives another wicked solo.

The last track on the album if you were streaming this is “The Day We Built Rome”. Another modern rock track, with a huge chorus. Less metal then the rest of the album, but more in Jeff’s wheelhouse. A great hook in the chorus and another nasty guitar solo that leaves you wanting more. Not as flashy as the rest of the album, but still worth your time.

The CD has a track that you can’t get streaming and it is the song that started it all for this album. It is the Queen cover of “Death On Two Legs”. Jeff is a huge, and I mean huge Queen fan so you know they are going to do this right. They stay true to the song only turning it ‘more metal’. Jeff even went overboard on the backing vocals as he added about 20 layers of his vocals doing the backing parts. Heck, Queen loved their backing vocals so it makes sense. The song feels as big as if it was Queen and you can feel their passion. A great cover.

As much as we liked Ellefson-Soto first album, this one far exceeded any and all expectations. This might be some of the finest Soto work in years (except for W.E.T.). Some of his heavier recent material has been okay while this stuff is sensational.
The band brings in the best of each member and it shows. The heaviest and fastest songs are the best. “SOAB” and “Snakes & Bastards” are two favorites. The duets were great, the instrumental was awesome as well. They really had no missteps with this one in ot book; it is solid from beginning to end.
If the sophomore release is so much better than the debut, where can this band go… We’d like to find out so bring us more Jeff and David. We need it in our life!
Highly Recommended

01. Unbreakable
02. SOAB
03. Shout
04. Hate You, Hate Me
05. Poison Tears (Feat. Laura Guldemond of Burning Witches)
06. Ghosts
07. Vengeance (Feat. Tim Ripper Owens)
08. Snakes and Bastards
09. It’s Over When I Say It’s Over
10. The Day We Built Rome
CD only Bonus Track:
11. Death On Two Legs (Queen cover)

David Ellefson – bass, vocals
Jeff Scott Soto – vocals
Andy Martongelli – guitar
Paolo Caridi – drums
Tim Ripper Owens, Laura Guldemond – guest vocals
John Aquilino (Icon) – bass on ‘Death On Two Legs’

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www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Ellefson-Soto/dp/B07WGRV9D8