Dave Mustaine has a question. We’re deep into talking about the latest and perhaps final Megadeth album when he unexpectedly turns the tables on me.
“Are you married? You’re married, right?”
Mustaine’s wife, Pam, enters the frame of our Zoom conversation to say goodbye as she heads out the door. It’s a rhetorical question, because earlier, I’d revealed the Megadeth tradition of sorts that I share with my wife. We like to quote that one section of “Sweating Bullets” to each other at random moments. “Hello me/ It’s me again.”
“Oh yeah, people like that part,” he smiles.
It’s an exchange which eventually leads to an interesting discussion of how Mustaine found his own voice in Megadeth, which you’ll read about in our conversation below. But what’s interesting to this writer is how for more than 40 years, he’s remained remarkably consistent when it comes to the albums that he makes with Megadeth.
1999’s Risk was perhaps the most polarizing left turn that most fans will mention (and debate) when it comes to the catalog of work from the thrash metal legends. But outside of that one record, the songwriter, frontman and leader has been fierce with his focus that when you buy an album that says Megadeth on the cover, it’s going to sound like Megadeth.
Dave Mustaine has taken a lot of s–t at times for being Dave Mustaine, but one thing you can say about him that nearly always rings true is that he has had a continual vision and he’s stuck with it.
He’s taking stock of that journey with Megadeth: Behind the Mask, a new documentary which will bring fans together in theaters worldwide starting Thursday evening (Jan. 22) to hear the new Megadeth album on the eve of its release, with track-by-track insights from the metal vocalist and mastermind of the group.
The film also takes a look at the 40+ year history of the group, through footage and interviews with Mustaine. During our conversation about the movie and album, he shared his thoughts on a number of subjects.
I appreciate how you’re positioning what’s going to be the final Megadeth album with this cinematic event. It seems like it’s probably been fun for you to take stock of your career in this way.
Well, you know what? It’s been even more fun to have other people take stock of my career, because I’m able to hear a lot of things that are important to them, and in some instances, stuff I had forgotten about. I forgot about, like the Genesis award from Doris Day for Countdown to Extinction. I forgot about the Cleo award for us having virtual performances on Dystopia a couple records back, so the fans could do the whole Oculus Rift experience.
READ MORE: Top 10 Megadeth Songs
What was personally interesting for you, considering the history and scope of what you’ve done?
That’s a big question, Matty. There was a lot that was interesting about it. You know, if you put the first record and you compare it to the last record, there’s so much similarity to it, but I think that’s because of the rawness and the “I don’t give a s–t” attitude that we [had going] into making this record.
I told Teemu [Mantysaari], I said, ‘Man, we got to make sure that we solo our asses off on this record, because that’s what people are going to expect from this.’ And we did. He was really helpful for me, because, you know, as I’ve said, I’ve been having issues with my hands and there was one part I was having a little bit of [trouble] with.
I was playing it, and I couldn’t get it to stop making noise. Then, all of a sudden, I felt this thing on the headstock, and I looked over, and Teemu had reached over, and he was helping me by holding my guitar. And I went, “You know how long it’s been since I’ve had a guitar partner like that?” It has been a long time now. I’ve had a lot of guitar partners that are great players, and they’re great people, and we had a really great time together, but I can’t remember any person that ever did anything like that for me.
Watch Megadeth’s ‘Tipping Point’ Video
In the film, you said that you think that, “When this record comes out, a lot of people are going to be really happy just to see how we close the circle.” It seems like having that as a narrative helped to kind of guide you in a certain sense.
Yeah, you know, when you say that, I think of that silly [GPS] and Ozzy [Osbourne’s] voice on it. ‘You’re going the wrong way.’ [Mustaine does Osbourne’s voice in a humorous tone]
It was definitely a motivator. Because looking at the road map we had left coming up to this, there were quite a lot of definitive moments in guitar playing and in Megadeth music and for frontmen who sing and play guitar; there are many challenging parts that have really helped give birth to great frontmen who play guitar and sing.
And I love that. You know when I first was asked by the band to sing; it was New Year’s Eve many years ago. We were trying to audition singers but just couldn’t do it. Then one night the band guy said: “Why don’t you try singing?” And I said: “Why don’t you?”
And we kind of dicked around like that. Then next thing you know I’m singing; next thing after that I’m the singer which was a huge paradigm shift for me because I’d always thought frontmen were a different breed. Once I became one I thought: now I’ve got to make this look cool.
How did you find your voice in a way that felt like it made sense to you? Where you’re like: “Okay, this works for me being the frontman.”
We were at Indigo Ranch up in Malibu; it was an old Moody Blues studio. We’d gone up there and had some personnel problems where our manager ended up pulling a knife on us while we were out in New York; he was also working as our producer. So we’d gotten out there one night; it was really creepy out there; it was sketchy; rumor had it they had gotten foot lockers filled with drugs buried out in their yard.
So guess whose band [members were out there trying to get metal detectors? We had a couple guys that were working for us and they’d gone to Hobby Lobby. They got some metal detectors, because they wanted to go out there and see if there was any foot lockers they could find.
Anyway, so I was there and I was singing. I remember when I came up with an idea, and when the idea worked, I felt like I could do this. It was me singing the verses on “Killing Is My Business…And Business is Good,” Because I have a low voice [and] then I do a really high one on top of it? I noticed when that record came out; very few people sang unison with themselves where one was an octave lower than another; it’s very different approach. And that’s when I realized that [I could do this]. I had fun doing that too.
Listen to Megadeth’s ‘Killing is My Business…And Business is Good’
How much was there a conceptual element to this new album with it being your final record?
Zero because I didn’t have this conversation with management until we were halfway through with recording. Once we reached that point that’s when I thought I’d say something because I’d gone through painful tracking; my hands were hurting really bad; so I just said something matter-of-factly: “You know what? I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” And that’s all I said. The conversation turned into a band discussion and then we made an announcement.
READ MORE: Dave Mustaine Has a Painful Hand Condition
How did that turn the tide of where the album was heading?
I’ve been thinking about this for some time because David Ellefson and I used to say we’d go out when it was time; we weren’t going to keep going after it was time. I don’t know how he feels about where he’s at in his journey but if many people knew how difficult this decision was they would appreciate coming to that conclusion and how hard we worked on making this record our best possible effort.
Watch Megadeth’s ‘I Don’t Care’ Video
It feels pretty appropriate that you’ve got Anthrax and Exodus on tour together.
I think I’m completing the circle [and] going back out there with my friends because I’ve always said it should be The Big Five.
And Exodus should be part of that right?
Yeah! Yeah! Absolutely! Because of where they were; what germinated from them. There were times we’d see each other passing on tour; always fun hanging out showing support because that’s what our scene was about; supporting one another.
I don’t know how strong that’s with new generation bands if they do that now but back in our day that’s what we did. If we rolled from Los Angeles up to San Francisco we’d get there early spend night at someone’s house crash on their floor then go out to The Stone or old Mabuhay [Gardens club] or something then play next night.
We’d spend another night sleeping on floors because we’d been drinking; didn’t want to drink and drive home plus there was so much fun back then in San Francisco.
READ MORE: Megadeth Announce 2026 Tour Dates With Fellow Thrash Legends
Watch Megadeth’s ‘Trust’ Video
Outside perhaps Risk, you’ve made all these albums consistently sounding like Megadeth fans expect. How do you think you’ve pulled this off?
I don’t know! Guess I’ve always been good listener; there’s difference between hearing something and listening! I’ve always listened songs trying see where’s bone in fish!
Where is melody? What is hook? It’s easy for me right now at this point in my career listening songs seeing why people wrote way they did! Can hear song by any band knowing where they’re going next!
Especially country bands pop bands! Metal bands not always easy as I’d think but yeah love listening song theory! It’s neat stage I’m at where can listen theory behind songs!
READ MORE: Megadeth’s Final Album Features Cover Classic Metallica Song
Fans get your version “Ride The Lightning” new album! What did bring out doing?
Only thing wanted do is do as good as they did! If did as good or better than [that], hey amen! Wanted show respect Lars [Ulrich] James [Hetfield], because James is great guitarist!
You know one night playing stage place called Whisky there’s guy right playing guitar James middle I’m left! Next time rehearsal guy right ain’t nowhere found guy middle has guitar while singing!
I thought wow James got really f–king good fast hooray for me hooray for band! Wanted show respect James Lars! You know Lars great songwriter had fun those guys! Not living past [but it’s] good do close circle think what did! It’s kind my way saying thanks everybody from beginning right second!
Watch Megadeth’s ‘Behind The Mask’ Film Trailer
