David Ellefson believes that Metallica managed Dave Mustaine’s firing more effectively than Megadeth managed his own.

The bassist was let go from Megadeth in 2021 after explicit conversations between him and a woman were leaked online. All of his contributions to the band’s 2022 album The Sick… the Dying… and the Dead! were re-recorded by Steve DiGiorgio, and he was permanently replaced by James LoMenzo.

In an interview on the Quemar Un Patrullero podcast, Ellefson compared his treatment by Megadeth to Mustaine’s dismissal from Metallica in 1983.

Key Insights from David Ellefson on Metallica’s Handling of Mustaine’s Firing

Ellefson reflected on the various contributions he made to the original version of The Sick… the Dying… and the Dead! before Megadeth parted ways with him. He mentioned that he had written a ballad that ultimately did not make it to the final album, the lyrics he wrote for “Soldier On!” were altered, and all of his recorded bass parts were replaced.

“… when Dave got fired from Metallica, at least they kept his words and his music and they paid him and gave him credit. Dave wasn’t so kind to me,” Ellefson shared [via Blabbermouth].

“He kicked me out, took my performances off the record, and removed my lyrics and everything off the record. So I think I have a horse in that race when I speak about how properly Metallica handled things and how I think improperly things were handled on my behalf. Because I saw it, I lived it.”

He further explained that Megadeth’s 2018 tour felt like a farewell tour for him since 2016’s Dystopia was the last album he appeared on. Thus, he feels he was able to move on from Megadeth without harboring too much anger.

“I don’t have bitterness in my heart. I almost feel like I was set free to not have to deal with that anymore. Whereas Dave had bitterness toward Metallica, I don’t have bitterness toward Dave or Megadeth. I really don’t,” he admitted.

What Additional Comments Did Ellefson Make About His Firing From Megadeth?

Ellefson stated that when the Megadeth team called him to inform him of his firing, he attempted to reason with them that it was “just nonsense on the internet” and there was no valid reason for his ousting.

“Defamation is when something harms your reputation, maybe even prevents you from getting more work. Those are real things. And the fact that it can happen on the Internet, which is kind of a fake place — it’s not even real. It’s kind of a fake place, yet that could somehow come over to your reality,” he added.

READ MORE: David Ellefson Reviews Megadeth’s Final Album

Ellefson alleged that his legal team gave him their “blessing” to “blast” Mustaine over the statement Megadeth released after his private conversations leaked online. It stated, “As it relates to creativity and business, we are all familiar with one another. However, there are clearly aspects of David’s private life that he has kept to himself,” which Ellefson’s legal team apparently deemed “unconscionable.”

“There’s a Bible scripture. It says, ‘Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’ And that’s where I went with it,” Ellefson said.

Check out clips from the podcast episode below.

Why David Ellefson Believes Metallica Handled Dave Mustaine’s Firing Better Than Megadeth Handled His

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