Dave Mustaine Thinks a Megadeth/Metallica Tour Would “Make Everything Right”
One of the most interesting things about Megadeth‘s forthcoming self-titled final album is the inclusion of a cover of Metallica‘s “Ride The Lightning”. To some, it smacks of cringy desperation. To others, it’s a cool nod to Dave Mustaine‘s past, seeing as he’s credited with helping write that and some other early Metallica tracks. But for the red-haired frontman with a penchant for talking too much, it might not be enough to truly mend the fences between himself and his former bandmates.
A full-on Metallica and Megadeth tour might do the trick, though.
That little suggestion came about during a recent interview that Mustaine had with Revolver promoting the new album. During that chat, Mustaine spoke positively of his time in Metallica and praised both James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich for their capabilities as musicians and songwriters.
“I liked them. If the friendship was restarted, it wouldn’t bother me. I would accept and I think it would be nice to revisit some of those times. But I just think because there was a lot of hurt and misunderstanding around our time together that it would be difficult not to keep bringing up the past.
“I think what needs to happen is there needs to be a Megadeth [and] Metallica tour. Period. That would, I’m sure, make everything right. We could hang out. Spend time together. But I know they don’t really tour like we do. I mean, when we go out on tour, we play many, many shows.”
This seems to be a continuation of Mustaine trying to buddy up to his former bandmates as things wind down for him. While chatting with Spin, he said he, Hetfield, and Ulrich were “constantly working on improving our relationship” and that he really does “love those guys.” It was that love, he said, that made them “fight” so much, though it really feels like a one-sided battle with Mustaine slinging arrows and the Metallica guys not even noticing behind all the wealth, fame, and success. Still, it seems Mustaine is trying to clear the air.
To anyone that’s been keeping score, this sort of attitude hasn’t always been the case. Remember, there was a time when he said Ulrich could “pound sand” if he thought he was going to get Mustaine’s writing credit on some of those older songs. He also said Ulrich was “incapable of writing songs that good back then” and that he wasn’t afraid of the iconic drummer.
Now, with retirement in his sights and a final few years of touring left in the itinerary before finally calling it quits, Mustaine seems to be looking to soften his rhetoric.
“You try and put things into perspective as you get a little bit older. I think about where I am at in my journey: I’m on the backside of the mountain, and I want to make sure that every day counts and that the people that I encounter, that I’m not obnoxious to them if they don’t deserve it. If they deserve it, man, you got it coming, and here it comes.”
A Metallica/Megadeth tour wouldn’t be completely unheard of though. Remember, there were those handful of “Big Four” shows in 2010 and 2011 that included Slayer and Anthrax. Those were sick, taking place over 13 shows. Then there was the show in 1993 where they played with Diamond Head and The Almighty.
Will we see a full-fledged tour between the two bands? Only time will tell, but that would sell gangbusters, that’s for sure.
