Slayer guitarist Kerry King recently shared his thoughts on the long-standing rivalry between two of metal’s biggest bands. His comments appeared on Reigning Phoenix Music.
When asked to choose between the two legendary groups, King didn’t hold back with his response. The question posed to him was straightforward: “Metallica or Megadeth?”
“Metallica,” King answered directly. “Well, hang on. Hang on. I’m going to be brutally honest. Metallica has a singer. Sorry, Dave.”
King’s comment appears to be a pointed critique of Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine’s vocal abilities compared to Metallica’s James Hetfield. The remark was made during an appearance on REIGNING TV, Episode #8, where King discussed various aspects of the metal music landscape.
While King’s recent comment may seem harsh, his relationship with Mustaine is far more nuanced than a simple jab. King has consistently expressed deep admiration for Mustaine’s technical abilities, particularly during his early days with Metallica. This complicated dynamic reveals much about how King views both Mustaine as a musician and the two bands’ legacies.
Metal Injection reported that King recalls being “blown away” by Mustaine’s presence in Metallica during the early 1980s. King described the experience as “way more extreme than what I thought metal was or could be.” King credits Mustaine with writing many of Metallica’s early riffs. He emphasizes that Mustaine remains “a fucking great guitar player” to this day. This historical context shows that King’s critique of Mustaine’s vocals doesn’t diminish his respect for the guitarist’s instrumental prowess.
King’s admiration for Mustaine’s musicianship is so strong that he briefly played second guitar in Megadeth for their first five live shows. This occurred during a period when Slayer was between albums. According to Consequence, King noted he was “honored” by the invitation, given his admiration for Mustaine’s technical skill. However, King ultimately decided to remain loyal to Slayer. He stated, “I’m sure I probably did, but [Slayer] is where I belong.” Looking back on that decision, King believes “I absolutely made the right choice.” He foresaw inevitable clashes with Mustaine’s leadership style.
King has been candid about why a long-term partnership with Mustaine wouldn’t have worked. Blabbermouth documented King’s explanation: “Me and Dave would’ve butted heads like no tomorrow… It’s just his personality. I mean, look how many people have been in his band. Fifty?” King described Mustaine as “such a dictator,” hinting at creative and personal incompatibilities that would have made a permanent arrangement untenable.
Despite these reservations about working together, King maintains professional respect for Mustaine. He acknowledges Mustaine’s tendency to make controversial public statements. King jokes that Mustaine often “sticks his foot in his mouth.” Yet King avoids overtly personal attacks. He has stated, “I love Mustaine to this day.” This balance between honest critique and genuine admiration defines their relationship. It is built on mutual recognition of each other’s musical legacy rather than close friendship.
