PORTNOY, ELLEFSON, BENANTE, BELLO 'Metal Masters' Event Draws 400 Fans

Rock history was made at Sam Ash Music as Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD),Dave Ellefson (MEGADETH),Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) and Frank Bello (ANTHRAX) shared the stage for the first time ever for a once-in-a-lifetime performance clinic, the Metal Masters. The free event took place April 21 at the Cerritos, California Sam Ash location. Over 400 fans jammed the store for the free event.

Fresh from accepting the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods award for "Best Drummer", Mike Portnoy performed his first U.S. clinic in eight years and announced the show as "The most metal clinic ever!" Addressing the crowd, Portnoy proclaimed, "This is how it should be!" The enthusiastic audience could not have agreed more.

Each of the artists took turns playing solo and spoke about the role of music in their lives. After each blazing solo performance, the artists paired up for electrifying duets. The evening culminated in an all-out jam with all four rock stars performing together. They tore through MEGADETH and ANTHRAX hits, along with a medley of classic rock and metal covers, leaving fans in awe after the finale of "Am I Evil?" (originally written and recorded by DIAMOND HEAD).

Sam Ash Cerritos features a 22' x 18' sound stage with an integrated state-of-the-art sound and lighting system designed by Sam Ash's Mike Aurigemma.

Sam Ash Music is the country's leading full-line music store chain with over 45 stores. The family-owned and -operated business opened in 1924 with a small store in Brooklyn and now operates stores nationwide.