Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland recently revealed his plans to attend his former band’s farewell tour, despite Dave Mustaine’s previous statement about not inviting former members to perform. Poland shared his thoughts in an interview with KNAC.COM.
When asked about his plans to see Megadeth during what is being billed as their farewell tour, Poland expressed his intention to make time for the show.
“Oh, I’m sure I will. If it’s the final one, I should go see one [show]. I’ll have to make the time,” Poland said. “I run a couple of hundred studios during the day, and it’s a lot of work and it’s hard to get out. But I will. I’ll make time for Dave [Mustaine, Megadeth leader].”
This comes after Mustaine previously explained his decision regarding former band members’ involvement in the farewell tour.
Mustaine had stated, “I can’t really do that [inviting all surviving Megadeth members], because of the behavior of one of the band members in the past.”
Poland’s commitment to attending the farewell tour reflects a complex relationship with his former band. This relationship has been marked by both musical collaboration and personal distance over the years.
Poland served as Megadeth’s original second lead guitarist from 1984 to 1987. He brought a distinctive jazz fusion style that set him apart in the thrash metal scene. YouTube interviews revealed that his jazz-inspired approach made him one of the strangest guitarists to ever play in a thrash metal band, creating a unique sound during his tenure with the group.
The guitarist’s last collaboration with Mustaine came in 2004 on the album “The System Has Failed.” Metal Injection reported that Poland described the recording experience as “a blast,” highlighting the positive working relationship they maintained during that project.
However, the relationship between Poland and Mustaine has grown distant since then. Metal Injection noted that Poland has not spoken to Mustaine since their 2004 collaboration and has expressed no interest in rejoining the band permanently.
Despite this personal distance, Poland appears committed to attending the tour as a fan to support his former bandmate and witness what may be Megadeth’s final performances. His decision demonstrates the enduring respect between the musicians, even as their professional paths have diverged over the decades.
