Metal Celebrities React to the Passing of ex-Megadeth Drummer Nick Menza

The metal world is grieving the passing of former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, who collapsed on stage last night of a heart attack while playing with his band Ohm in LA. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him for 45 minutes. He was just 51 years old.

Here are just a few of the notable metal and hard rock musicians who offered some words of tribute to Menza, whose work graced four of Megadeth’s albums, Rust In Peace, Countdown To Extinction, Youthanasia, and Cryptic Writings.

Dave Mustaine:

TELL ME THIS ISN'T TRUE! I woke at 4 AM to hear Nick Menza passed away on 5/21 playing his drums w/Ohm at the Baked Potato. #nickmenzarip

— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) May 22, 2016

Dave Ellefson:

https://twitter.com/ellefsondavid/status/734370104738250761

Marty Friedman:

Ohm:

Charlie Benante (Anthrax):

#nickmenza I found this pic today from the #clashofthetitans tour , I think we were doing a photo shoot for a drum magazine. I remember the fun and comradery , sad to hear of one of our comrades has left us @megadeth @slayerbandofficial @aliceinchains

A photo posted by Charlie Benante (@charbenante) on May 22, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

Frank Bello (Anthrax):

RIP Nick Menza- so sorry to hear about this…

— FrankBello (@TheFrankBello) May 22, 2016

Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer):

Shocked and deeply saddened to hear the passing of #NickMenza My condolences to his family. #RIPNickMenza @MenzaNick

— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) May 22, 2016

Alex Skolnick (Testament):

Very sorry 2 hear of Nick Menza's passing. Didn't know him well, but always enjoyed his drumming live & on @Megadeth's essential albums. RIP

— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) May 22, 2016

Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records):

Wow just heard that Nick Menza passed away. Wow I can't believe it, way too young! Great guy too, hung out with him a lot. #RIPNickMenza

— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) May 22, 2016

Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder):

Megadeth was my first love in metal. Feel like I just got hit by a train… What awful news to wake up to. RIP Nick Menza

— Trevor Strnad (@TrevorTBDM) May 22, 2016

Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall):

Mark Holcomb (Periphery):

RIP Nick Menza.

— Mark Holcomb (@MarkPeriphery) May 22, 2016

Brendon Small (Dethklok):

Sad to hear the news of Nick Menza. He played on some of my favorite records. RIP

— Brendon Small (@brendonsmall) May 22, 2016

Paul Wandtke (Trivium):

Rip Nick Menza https://t.co/byGWZpXnAe

— Paul Wandtke (@paulwandtke) May 22, 2016

Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium):

https://twitter.com/TriviumPaolo/status/734384589658030080

Havok:

RIP Nick Menza

Thanks for the rock-solid beats https://t.co/At6wp5Vb1A

— HAVOK (@HAVOKthrash) May 22, 2016

Richie Kotzen:

Sorry to learn about the passing of Nick Menza RIP

— Richie Kotzen (@Richie_Kotzen) May 22, 2016

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