Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine recently opened up about his current relationship with Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. He shared candid thoughts about their bond in an interview with Spin.
The discussion touched on how the former bandmates have been working to improve their relationship over the years. When asked about being “in a pretty comfortable place with Metallica these days,” Mustaine reflected on their ongoing efforts to reconcile past differences.
“James and I were talking about something, and I said, ‘Well, there’s your version, there’s my version, and then there’s the truth. I believe that the truth is the only one that’s accurate, because I don’t really remember everything,'” Mustaine said. “And he had said, ‘We don’t remember stuff and we’d like to go over it.’ We’re constantly working on improving our relationship, me and James and Lars.”
The Megadeth frontman then revealed the deeper emotions behind their past conflicts.
“I really do love those guys. That’s why we fought so much—it was that I missed them,” he continued. “And the idea of leaving the band, it was just hard to fathom.”
Mustaine also shared his perspective on how age has changed his approach to relationships and conflicts.
“You try and put things into perspective as you get a little bit older. I think about where I am at in my journey: I’m on the backside of the mountain, and I want to make sure that every day counts and that the people that I encounter, that I’m not obnoxious to them if they don’t deserve it,” he said. “If they deserve it, man, you got it coming, and here it comes.”
These reconciliation efforts come against the backdrop of a decades-long history between the musicians that began in the early 1980s.
Blabbermouth reported that Mustaine was a member of Metallica for less than two years, from 1981 to 1983, before being dismissed and replaced by Kirk Hammett. The separation occurred just as the band was preparing to record their debut album. This was a pivotal moment that would define both Mustaine’s career trajectory and his relationship with his former bandmates.
The timing of these comments is particularly significant. Loaded Radio revealed that Mustaine has confirmed the 2026 self-titled album and subsequent world tour will be the final chapter for Megadeth. This farewell tour marks the end of the band’s four-decade run. It adds weight to Mustaine’s reflections on reconciliation and legacy.
In a poignant gesture of reconciliation, The Irish Times noted that Mustaine’s final studio album features a re-recording of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning,” a track he co-wrote during his time in the band, as a gesture toward his former bandmates. This musical olive branch represents a full-circle moment in the relationship between the metal legends.
The evolution of Mustaine’s perspective reflects not only personal growth but also the broader context of his career achievements. After being dismissed from Metallica, he channeled his frustration and talent into founding Megadeth. The band became one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. This proved that his departure ultimately led to the creation of another legendary metal act.
