In an interview with Rock N’ Roll Icons, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson looked back to the first time he listened to Metallica and revealed what was his initial opinions about the band’s music.
As you might recall, back in 1981, Dave Mustaine joined Metallica as the band’s lead guitarist and was given the job without even auditioning since his warm-ups were enough for James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. They started recording Metallica’s debut album ‘Kill ‘Em All‘ in 1983, however, Mustaine was fired from the band before they released the album.
Soon later, Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson founded Megadeth and released their first album, ‘Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!,’ in 1985. Yet, the band’s first major success was gained with the release of their second studio album, ‘Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?.’
In a recent interview he joined, David Ellefson talked about the time he first met Dave Mustaine and revealed that he hadn’t heard of Metallica until then. Apparently, Mustaine made him listened to the 1982 demo of ‘No Life ‘Til Leather‘ as well as his other songs recorded with the band. Ellefson admitted that he was impressed by the music of Metallica even when he first listened to them. He also stated that he has been a fan of the band from the very first time he heard their songs.
Here is what David Ellefson stated about his first thoughts of Metallica:
“I love Metallica. I’m a fan of theirs, have been from day one. When I met Dave, I’ve never heard of Metallica. So I was introduced to them through ‘No Life ‘Til Leather’ through him – both his songs and the other songs, I like what they do, yeah.
I can just speak for Megadeth, we have always had a pretty deep level of musical proficiency from the very first recording lineup with Gar and Chris, they were extraordinary players.
The dye has been cast from the beginning with that level, and all the guitar players that have come along have been incredibly gifted players – drummers, the same thing. It’s nice that whatever we write we can play, that if we can think it, we can play it and make it a reality.”
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