Megadeth performed their version of ‘Ride The Lightning’ live for the first time during their headlining concert at Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia. The performance has sparked mixed reactions from fans regarding Dave Mustaine’s vocals, as captured in a fan-filmed video of the performance.
The song is the title track of Metallica’s 1984 album for which Dave Mustaine received a co-writing credit following his 1983 departure from the band. Fan reactions to Mustaine’s vocal performance during this historic first live rendition were notably divided.
“RETIRE NOW!! Your legacy is solid, leave with dignity and don’t grovel on stage,” one Megadeth fan said about Dave Mustaine’s vocals.
Another fan was equally critical of the performance.
“Sounds terrible!!! Seriously bad,” another Megadeth fan commented on Mustaine’s performance.
However, not all reactions were negative, with some fans defending the band’s live capabilities.
“Infinite times better than Metallica live! Let’s go Dave!” another Megadeth fan said about the band’s performance.
This marks a significant moment for the band, as they finally performed live a song that Mustaine co-wrote during his brief time with Metallica over four decades ago.
The criticism of Mustaine’s vocals comes amid ongoing health challenges that have affected his performance capabilities. Megadeth’s official website reported that Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019 after a severe infection damaged his vocal cords. He underwent extensive treatment including chemotherapy and stem cell therapy. While he was declared cancer-free by 2020, he has continued to report persistent vocal strain and reduced range in recent interviews.
The Bogota performance was part of Megadeth’s extensive touring schedule. Megadeth’s official tour page revealed that their “Crush The World Tour” in 2025-2026 features over 100 dates across Latin America, Europe, and North America. The shows highlight both classic tracks and new material from their 2022 album “The Sick, The Dying… and the Dead!”
The song itself holds special significance in metal history. Metallica’s official liner notes confirmed that Mustaine co-wrote the iconic main riff for ‘Ride The Lightning’ while he was still Metallica’s lead guitarist in 1983. After his departure from the band, Metallica retained the riff and credited Mustaine on their 1984 album of the same name.
The album became a commercial success, peaking at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and eventually achieving six-times platinum status. Mustaine’s autobiography “Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir” detailed that the guitarist has long expressed mixed feelings about his contributions to Metallica’s early work. This makes the live performance particularly meaningful for both the artist and longtime fans.
Despite the vocal challenges Mustaine faces, the performance represents a full-circle moment in his career. He finally brought to the stage a song he helped create over four decades ago during his brief but influential time with what would become one of metal’s biggest bands.
