Marty wasn’t the well-rounded player that Dave was, Dave was still one of the greatest players in the world with his abilities at rhythm, lead, acoustic, and his prowess as a songwriter. But once Marty joined the band, Dave Mustaine became so intimidated by Marty’s talent that it completely extinguished his confidence in his playing. Had Friedman not won the job that day, the struggling musician had another audition lined up with Madonna the following week.Īt this point, the members of Megadeth were in the midst of a fierce attempt at sobriety (to the point that they even quit smoking cigarettes).

Upon Friedman’s entry to Megadeth, the band rented him an apartment, a Mercedes-Benz, and instructed him to change his orange and black hair. Friedman excelled at the rhythm, though he wasn’t perfect, noted Mustaine, but he immediately won the job when it came time for the solo. One for the rhythm and one for the lead, the most important aspect of the audition. Mustaine had then set up Marty with two Marshall amplifiers. Megadeth had already exhausted themselves auditioning numerous guitarists that ranged from flamboyant shredders playing on their own time, primadonnas that refused to learn the songs prior, and scorned musicians that claimed to have written Megadeth songs in their childhood.įriedman showed up, no vehicle of his own, a cheap red Carvin guitar, and no amps or cabinets. The final piece of the Megadeth puzzle took form in the shape of a borderline homeless, malnourished, and-unknowingly at the time-deteriorating guitar phenom Marty Friedman. The drum tech replacing the current drummer was beginning to be a Megadeth staple, as Chuck was the drum tech for original percussionist Gar Samuelson. Menza had served as the drum tech and roadie for the band for their last album.

The two Daves had moved into an apartment together, whereupon Ellefson’s return from rehab, spawned a debaucherous routine of heroin to fall asleep, then coke just to make it out of the door and off to rehearsal the next day (when they managed to wake up in time).Ĭhuck Behler was in just as bad shape and was essentially faded out of the band. The band was without a drummer and a second guitarist, Ellefson had just gone back into rehab, and Mustaine continued to spiral out of control. What a butterfly effect that could have been.īy 1989, to say that the wheels of Megadeth were falling off would have been a gross understatement. This was also pre-Cowboys From hell and Pantera was still the Van Halen-inspired hair metal unit. Had Mustaine allowed Dime’s brother Vinnie to join Megadeth on drums, it would have been a done deal. Mustaine then shifted his interest in guitar phenom Dimebag Darrell (Then still known as Diamond Darrell) of Pantera. Guns N’ Roses already had two albums to their name, and Appetite for Destruction had captivated the entire country, yet Slash had considered the move, briefly. In their friendly sessions of drugs and music, Mustaine asked Slash to join Megadeth. The kinship eventually led to the trio of Dave, Dave, n Slash: Heroin and Guitars. During that time, David Ellefson struck up a kinship with Slash of Guns N’ Roses, who was already friendly with Mustaine. But even while in rehab, they smuggled in heroin and continued to get high.Īfter their lackluster sobriety attempt, they began to rehearse and demo for what became Rust In Peace. Upon their arrival back in the United States, Ellefson and frontman Dave Mustaine both checked into rehab.Įllefson lasted three days, Mustaine a little longer. In 1988, Megadeth had to cancel their remaining shows for the Monsters Of Rock festival (replaced by Testament) due to bassist David Ellefson’s severe heroin withdrawals.

The greatest and most polished lineup in the history of Megadeth was decaying before the introduction.

Drugs, infighting, and a career-threatening injury had all but dismantled the band. But the process leading up to September 24th, 1990 was an absolute catastrophe. The album’s legacy is already cemented, strictly based on musical standards alone. It’s regarded by many as Dave Mustaine’s finest work as a songwriter and was also our introduction to unknown guitar hero Marty Friedman. In and of itself, Rust In Peace is a phenomenal album, and in some respects, marked the peak of Megadeth. Its praise has been sung from every corner of metal as elitists and gatekeepers join hand in hand with casuals and dad rockers in shared admiration.Įvery superlative has already been said, and rightfully so. Over 30 years later, the fourth installment in Megadeth’s catalog remains as iconic as ever. “Humanity Still Producing New Art As Though Megadeth’s ‘Rust In Peace’ Doesn’t Already Exist”

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