HELLYEAH: The Story So Far… The terms “super-group” and “short-lived” are invariably synonymous. Here’s the all-too-familiar tale: talented individuals from different bands join forces to a huge fanfare of hype and all is well. But then, a mere album/tour cycle or two later, the so-called “super-group” implodes and disappears. History has proven this irrefutable truth time and ¬time again… HELLYEAH is the brainchild of Mudvayne frontman Chad Gray and Nothingface founder Tom Maxwell. It became a reality in 2006, when the pair successfully convinced Vinnie Paul, the legendary drummer of Pantera and Damageplan, to pick up his sticks again after the tragic loss of his equally legendary brother. The first few times Chad and Tom asked Vinnie to join HELLYEAH, his answer was no. Years later, says Chad, Vinnie — sporting his trademark grin — told him that the two had been "’real persistent, and also had a really infectious, positive attitude,’ so he eventually decided to give it a go." Hard rock and metal fans all over the globe joyously celebrated Vinnie’s return, and HELLYEAH was immediately dubbed “a heavy metal super-group” by press and public alike.