In a recent interview with Rock Hard Greece, Dave Mustaine, the iconic frontman of Megadeth, expressed his unwavering passion for thrash metal. Mustaine, who played a pivotal role in shaping the genre during his early days with Metallica, made it clear that his dedication to thrash metal remains as strong as ever. “If we [Megadeth] started doing music that wasn’t heavy and it wasn’t thrash, I would probably not want to do it anymore,” he stated.
Mustaine’s love for thrash metal is profound. He described the genre as something that makes him feel truly alive. “I can’t remember anything that I’ve ever experienced that makes me feel as good as thrash metal – not a drug, not a drink, not a person, not a thing,” he passionately shared. This sentiment is likely to resonate deeply with his family, including his wife of 33 years, Pamela, and their two children, Justis and Electra.
During the interview, Mustaine also touched on his biggest frustration within the music industry. “I guess the thing that annoys me the most in the music business is people who don’t know what they’re doing, and I think that’s pretty normal,” he remarked. He elaborated, “Whenever you come across people who don’t know what they’re doing, it’s hard to be around them, you know? It’s hard, because they want to come across like they know stuff, and a lot of times, there are people that can help, but more often than not, they don’t help.”
Mustaine’s journey in the music world has been nothing short of eventful. He became Metallica’s first lead guitarist in 1982 but was dismissed from the band the following year. He was replaced by Kirk Hammett. In response, Mustaine co-founded Megadeth with former bassist David Ellefson in 1984. Their debut album, “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!” was released in 1985.
Ellefson’s tenure with Megadeth ended in 2021 amid a sex scandal. His contributions to the band’s latest album, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” released in 2022, were re-recorded by Testament and former Death bassist Steve Di Giorgio. Despite these challenges, Megadeth continues to thrive and is currently touring Europe, with a performance scheduled in Istanbul, Turkey, tomorrow.
Mustaine’s dedication to thrash metal is evident in every aspect of his career. His passion for the genre is unmatched, and he remains a driving force in the world of heavy music. For Mustaine, thrash metal is more than just a genre; it’s a way of life, a source of unparalleled joy and fulfillment.
