David Ellefson Talks Kings of Thrash and Back to the Beginning Festival

David Ellefson, bassist of Megadeth, sat down for an exclusive interview with Loudwire on March 12, 2024, to discuss his involvement with the newly formed supergroup Kings of Thrash, his past work with Metal Church, and his upcoming performance at the Back to the Beginning festival in Los Angeles. Ellefson explained that Kings of Thrash was conceived as a tribute to the early thrash era, bringing together veteran musicians from the 1980s. He said, "We wanted to capture the raw energy of the first wave of thrash without trying to recreate any specific band’s sound." The lineup includes former Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, former Overkill drummer Ron Lipnicki, and vocalist Phil Demmel, formerly of Machine Head. Their debut single, "Rising Fury," was released on February 28, 2024, and has already amassed over 1.2 million streams on major platforms. When asked about his history with Metal Church, Ellefson recalled his brief stint in 2015, noting, "It was a great experience, but my heart has always been with Megadeth and the music that defined my career." He added that the collaboration with Metal Church helped him refine his songwriting approach, especially in crafting aggressive riff structures. The Back to the Beginning festival, scheduled for April 20, 2024, at the Hollywood Bowl, will feature a lineup of classic thrash acts, including Slayer (final reunion show), Anthrax, and Testament. Ellefson confirmed that Megadeth will close the event, performing a set that spans their early catalog and recent releases. He stated, "Playing the Bowl is a dream come true, and sharing the stage with the legends who inspired us is an honor." Ellefson also addressed rumors about a possible Megadeth hiatus, clarifying that the band remains active and is currently working on a new studio album slated for release in early 2025. He emphasized that the Back to the Beginning performance is a celebration of thrash heritage rather than a farewell tour. Fans can expect exclusive merchandise featuring both Kings of Thrash and the Back to the Beginning branding, with pre‑orders opening on the festival’s official website on March 15, 2024. The interview concluded with Ellefson urging listeners to support live music venues, noting, "Live shows keep the spirit of thrash alive, and we owe it to the fans who keep coming back."

David Ellefson performing with Kings of Thrash