Fans: 365,350
Members:
- Dave Mustaine - vocals/guitar
- Chris Broderick - guitar
- James LoMenzo - bass
- Shawn Drover - drums
The last 25 years have been turbulent and triumphant for Megadeth, with one constant verity, Dave Mustaine’s adherence to creating excellent, genre-defining music that showcases some of metal’s most gifted musicians. After gaining much notoriety as Metallica’s lead guitarist, Mustaine founded Megadeth in 1983. Megadeth was immediately signed and debuted the thrash classic “Killing is My Business…and Business is Good” in 1985, back-to-back with the anthem-filled speed metal fury of “Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?” in 1986. These raw, angst-filled records were followed by the anti-establishment themed “So Far, So Good…So What!” in 1988.
The world watched in wonder and were blown away by Megadeth’s powerful, high-energy live shows and music videos as they toured the world in 1990 in support of “Rust in Peace” and the multi-platinum “Countdown to Extinction” in 1992, still cited today as two of the greatest metal albums of all time. Megadeth, hailed as “the world’s state-of-the-art speed metal band,” continued its unceasing touring and radio success with “Youthanasia”, “Cryptic Writings” and “Risk,” and charged full speed ahead into the new millennium with “The World Needs a Hero.”
The hectic rock and roll lifestyle eventually caught up with Dave in 2002 when he was told he would never play guitar again due to nerve damage in his hand. But the always-resilient Mustaine overcame physical adversity to rise again and Megadeth was back and better than ever with fresh and eager new faces, ready to reclaim their titles as the “kings of metal”.
Megadeth’s 2004 studio album, “The System Has Failed,” a critically acclaimed masterpiece featuring timely tales of war, terror, and a fatally flawed justice system, brought them back into the mainstream metal realm after a two-year hiatus. Always up for a challenge, Mustaine simultaneously co-produced, released, and supported “System” with a world tour and brand new lineup. He announced in front of a crowd of thousands in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that Megadeth would continue on in full force.
In addition to its commitment to touring the world, Megadeth is also forging ahead in its studio album releases. In 2007, the band released its latest creation, “United Abominations,” which is a timely tongue-in-cheek takeoff on the United Nations and is filled with Megadeth’s classic political commentary set against a heavy backdrop. This marked the band’s debut on Roadrunner Records, and third studio album to debut in the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Mustaine says listening to it "puts a smile on the inside of me for the first time in years. We all can smile on the outside, but the project has satisfied me, and I am completely content deep inside. I can't remember when I had such a pleasant time making a record. It is fast, heavy, melodic, and of course controversial, as well as hooky with some unexpected twists."
In 2006, the band released a double live album and DVD of footage filmed during Gigantour 2005, which included live performances, backstage footage, band interviews and other goodies. The 'Gigantour 2' DVD and CD are both now available, featuring Megadeth on their 2006 world tour, with metal pioneers Arch Enemy, Opeth, Lamb Of God and Overkill, as well as up-and-comers Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smash Up.
The 2006 tour marked the first international excursion for Gigantour, taking Megadeth and Arch Enemy to Australia, along with Soulfly and Caliban. Gigantour 3 kicked off in Australia last year, with Bring Me The Horizon, Static X, Devildriver and Lacuna Coil, which reunited Dave Mustaine and Cristina Scabbia onstage for their duet of 2007’s “A Tout Le Monde”.
Gigantour 3 continues it’s international run in the UK, with Megadeth assuming it’s usual headlining spot, the extreme metal sounds of Job For A Cowboy and the UK’s own thrash metal band Evile. "I think that in a small way, we are cleaning up the environment of crappy bands," Mustaine quips. "All of the people that really love this kind of music know that they can count on these bands to deliver the goods this year."
