Rock and metal have had plenty of memorable feuds between individual musicians, but few have been as ferocious as Dave Mustaine with his former Metallica bandmates. Today, however, peace has been achieved between them.
In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, where he answered questions from fans, the Megadeath frontman even expressed his sincere regret for punching frontman James Hetfield in the early days of Metallica.
Mustaine was Metallica’s original lead guitarist before they recorded their first album, Kill ‘Em All, but was fired from the band due to strong conflicts with founding members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield while touring in 1983.
And while the story of Mustaine’s departure has been told many times over the years, the musician still looks to those times as an important part of his career.
One of the fan questions touched upon Metallica’s thrilling performance in May of this year, when James Hetfield spoke emotionally on stage about his own insecurities, his problems and how valuable fan support is.
“I saw him with James. He talked about going through a tough time. I was sad to see him like this because he and I have one of those really weird love-hate relationships,” she commented.
According to him, Hetfield is still one of his favorite guitarists and adds that he really enjoyed playing with him.
“I liked those guys a lot. If I didn’t like them, I would have just said ‘turn the water on and get it over with.’ James has always been someone I really enjoy playing with. I just wish things hadn’t turned out so they are over. as they did, “Mustaine declares.
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He also remembers one of the incidents that led to his expulsion from the band: an unfortunate ordeal, to which Dave decides to take his dog. He uncontrollably leaps into the car of then band bassist Ron McGavney and leaves scratch marks on the door. In the ensuing brawl, Hetfield began yelling at Mustaine, who in turn punched him in the face.
“It was stupid to take my dog to rehearsals, and it was even more stupid to hit James. I really respect him and respect his playing. And I hope you know that there are many people like me who like him as a person and not. he cares that he’s in Metallica, “says the musician.
Mustaine previously shared that he took his dog to rehearsal, mainly to annoy the other band members. As for the punch in the face of Hetfield, the guitarist has repeatedly expressed his regret over the incident.
In his words, he was the “alpha male” of Metallica at the time and thought he had to behave in this aggressive way.
It was his behavior, coupled with his alcohol and drug abuse, and frequent quarrels with Ulrich and Hetfield, that led to the band’s decision, during the New York tour, to put him on a bus back to Los Angeles and wish him never to. not see him anymore.
From there began one of the biggest feuds of heavy music, which however is not the only one for Mustaine. He himself is known for his tough character and is known to have had problems with members of Slayer, Pantera and others besides Metallica.
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Currently, however, the musician has overcome these old feuds and has even expressed his regrets over the divorce that James Hetfield is going through, who according to him has a strange relationship of love and hate.
Meanwhile, Megadeth just released their 16th album – The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead – on September 2nd this year!
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