D-Metal Stars
D-Metal Stars is an American heavy metal band spin-off of the successful Animetal USA project. The band covers heavy metal versions of popular Disney songs on Walt Disney Records.
Members
- Michael Vescera |Obsession], ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Loudness - Vocals / Backing Vocals / Keyboards
- [Rudy Sarzo - Bass
- John Bruno - Guitar / Backing Vocals
- BJ Zampa |House of Lords], ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Obsession - Drums
''Metal Disney''
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. It was mixed and mastered by Greg Reely, who has previously worked with 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 vocals for the second half and Jeff Watson playing guitar solos.
Michael Nunno is featured on "Mickey Mouse March" with a keyboard solo, with additional backing vocals by Michael Vescera's brothers, Nat Vescera, and Gary Vescera, as well as John Bruno's wife, Gail Bruno.
Track listing
Chart positions
June 2017- #1 "Amazon Hard Rock & Metal Digital Music Best Sellers"
- #21
- #10 - Under the Sea
- #21 - Mickey Mouse March
- #26 - It's a Small World
- #92
- #5 "Amazon Hard Rock & Metal Digital Music Best Sellers"
- #14 "Amazon Rock Digital Music Best Sellers"
- #3 "Amazon Japan Hard Rock & Metal Best Sellers"
- #2 "Amazon Japan Childrens Best Sellers"
Related projects
In 2018, Michael Vescera arranged, produced, and played keyboards on Disney Super Guitar, along with John Bruno on rhythm guitars, BJ Zampa on drums, and Chris Vescera on bass. This instrumental release features a guest lead guitarist on each song, being: Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, George Lynch, Richie Kotzen, Orianthi, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Mike Orlando, Phil X, Jeff Watson, and Tak Matsumoto. Super Guitar Disney became a #1 Best Seller on the Amazon Japan Anime Chart and a #3 Best Seller on Amazon Japan Rock Chart.
;AniMaze X
AniMaze X is the latest project from the members of D-Metal Stars. AniMaze X focuses on a wider variety of musical themes such as superheroes, popular cartoons, classic cover songs, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, and the D-Metal Stars "classics". At the end of 2020, AniMaze X released their debut Christmas album AniMazing Xmas, which includes metal renditions of favorite Christmas songs, as well as two original metal Christmas songs. In early 2021, AniMaze X released a reimagined metal version of the Beatles classic "Strawberry Fields Forever".