Megadeth: The Impressive Character

The band was formed in 1983, after Mustaine was fired from Metallica for being thick and irresponsible. In 1985 they released their first album 'Killing is my Business... and Business is Good' on the independent label Combat. They moved to the multinational Capitol with 'Peace Sells... but Who's Buying', followed by what was surely the worst album of their career (without this meaning it was disastrous) 'So Far So Good... So What?' but the album that would really make a difference for the group would be 'Rust in Peace'. A sober and clean Mustaine recorded an album for the first time with the same members as the previous album, with all the ingredients to unleash an album with spectacular impact power for a genuine heavy metal band of the '90s.

"The first album was almost like an experiment," says bassist Dave "Junior" Ellefson. "After Peace Sells, which was done with the same lineup, it started to really sound like a band. 'Rust in Peace' was also like an experiment, where we had to plant our feet with different members and really try to see if that was going to work. But now with this album, things seem more settled, and we were able to continue as a band instead of having to say, 'oh god, now we have to bring a couple of new guys into the band again.' We are in good shape now."

That is demonstrated in 'Countdown...'. Many are the things that the group has refined and transformed in their co-production work with producer Max Norman. "Probably the most obvious thing that has improved is my voice," says leader Dave Mustaine. "I realized that I was the only one who wasn't giving 100%. I can play rhythm guitar like a son of a bitch and as far as lead guitar goes, if I want to I can do a great job, and if not, I'll let the other guitarist do it. Now with Marty Friedman, it's even more exciting for me to let another guitarist play because he can play the styles of all the previous guys, as well as having his own style. He is brilliant, and I realized that for this band to move to another level I'm going to have to really dedicate some time to improving as a singer. What I sing about is fine, it's just that I can't express it very well. Many people on the street sing as well as me, so I really have to try to improve."

One of the main problems that heavy metal has had when facing critics has been the lyrics. In the case of Megadeth, it has been one of the fundamental advantages over the rest of their peers. The lyrical part of this new record is conclusive proof of this. "Contrary to what people may think, 'Countdown to Extinction' is definitely not about the extinction of the human race but about the inevitable extinction of animals, which leads to the extinction of the human race. It is about pseudo safaris and the twist of this is that the more man hunts endangered species for trophies, the fewer animals there will be, and the closer the day will be when man begins to hunt men. If there are no animals left, what else will there be for man to hunt but himself? Man hunting man. That's 'Countdown to Extinction'. 'Countdown to Extinction' and 'Architecture of Aggression' go hand in hand as the theme of the album... there might not be another Megadeth album, because the world could suck itself down its own butt before that."

On the other hand, 'Skin O' My Teeth', the track that opens the album, is taken directly from his own life, his past years, and the way he walked on the edge. "'Skin O' My Teeth' is about wringing just before my pulse stops. Getting close to suicide but never fully doing it. Many people try to commit suicide to call attention. You know, 'if you leave me, I'm going to kill myself!' Okay, well don't stain the carpet with blood... I certainly wouldn't do that now, and when I look at those lyrics, I wonder what kind of human being I was to want to do those things..."

For most of his career, Mustaine was, as he recounts at every opportunity, a terrible junkie to put up with. That was surely one of the most important reasons why the group could not maintain a stable lineup. Anecdotes from that time abound in his interviews. "Our drummer at that time, Gar Samuelson, was being an idiot. He threw a drumstick that got stuck between my guitar strap and it looked like I had an arrow in my back. So I rammed the drums with the guitar. There was a hole in the bass drum, I just put the guitar there. He grabbed it and threw it, and the fretboard broke. I went backstage and grabbed a bottle of tequila and broke it and said I was going to cut him open like a catfish, this was long ago when I was in active addiction. I was drunk and wanted blood. I would still be lifting weights in prison if it weren't for one of our roadies, who closed the door, stood in front of me and said, 'if you're going to kill someone, kill me.' There I could see the humor in all this and I thought, 'son of a bitch, now I need another guitar'."

For two years now, Mustaine has abandoned all vices, drugs, alcohol, and not even tobacco is part of his life anymore. Instead, the guy got married and already has his first son, a little boy named Justis, over whom Papa Mustaine is gushing. "In fact, I thought that, as a result of all the heavy partying I was involved in, my balls had emptied and that I would never have a son. I watched my son come out and I thought, 'man, I've been truly blessed, because he has no defects, all his fingers, both feet..."

After quitting drugs, Mustaine had to face the terror of all ex-junkies: the road, touring, and all the environment that surrounds them. "There have been some moments that were tests. It was really difficult for me when we were doing the Clash of Titans Tour because I saw everyone else, and the only thing the other bands had in common, besides that we were all men, was that they were all smoking and drinking. I wanted to hang out with them too, but I had to make a decision, hang out with them and whatever happens, or just step aside and excuse myself. I tried to do it at first but it was getting really difficult. If I had to go through that again, I would just try to spend more time doing things for myself instead of trying to hang out with the other bands who are doing things that are going to cost me my life."

With the success of 'Countdown...' the band has begun to be criticized by the press and the most reactionary public, as always happens. "A lot of people are getting really critical of us. I think the climate and the timing are right. In the past I would have really worried about what the press said, but I'm finally at that point in my head where I don't get caught up in what people say. I simply enjoy playing. Someone told me that people were a little disgusted with the synchronized headbanging and that we took off our shirts at the same time. The few times I do that, I just look at my guitar, and Junior runs and starts shaking his head with me because we are partners. Sometimes it looks a little ridiculous, I admit. One day before hearing this, I told the band, 'we have to stop doing this Judas Priest thing, or we're going to end up looking like Warrant'."

One of the issues that Mustaine preferred not to talk about for years is his previous band, Metallica. One of the issues that Argentine journalists will inquire about the most during the next visit of Mustaine & co. "I imagine Metallica as an integral part of me —what they do, how they think— because of how we started, those three minds. Maybe I'm dumbing myself down by drawing the comparison, but I think there are many similarities that people deny. The gestures that James and I have on stage, some are identical. Many of the things that Lars says, are things that I used to say. In those days I used to do all the interviews. When I see them it's as if I see a part of me, and I'm very happy for them."

But time does not seem to have healed all wounds, so the relationship is not optimal with his two former bandmates. "I talk to Lars all the time, for some reason, James and I have not sat down and settled the past. I was so hurt by being kicked out without any warning that I had a lot of resentment. I was very jealous of watching my baby leave me. I watched their success for a long time, and most of the time I was very bitter. But then I realized that I still collect royalties for the songs I wrote (for Metallica), and people still make the connection between us".

This unresolved issue has caused a rivalry between the fans of both bands for years, something that does not seem to make much sense. "I think they are getting into something that makes no sense to get into. They are getting into personal matters that are something of the past. I was very bitter and jealous, but now I wish them the best."

Finally, Mustaine casually drops a formula for people with fame problems. "I can't make everyone like me, but what I can do is make my character more impressive than my reputation. Because when you go somewhere your reputation precedes you, and after you leave what remains is your character".

For the shows in Argentina we hope that his character at least is coherent with his fame.