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Writer's picturejaybroderick

Ex-Megadeth Members are the Kings of Thrash



By Jay Broderick - It is no surprise that one of the greatest metal bands of all time has had a revolving door of members since its inception. In fact, Megadeth has 13 ex-members over its 40 year history. This actually only includes musicians that have recorded studio albums with the band. It does not include the members at the very beginnings of the band's formation.


Uhhhhhhh..... that's alot!


Of these ex-members, the most notable would be bassist David Ellefson. This isn't to say the others are any less important, or that their skills were less than stellar where we wouldn't even think twice about them. In fact, it's the total opposite of that. With past lineups including the likes of Chris Broderick, Marty Friedman, Nick Menza and Chris Adler, there are a number of highly talented musicians that have appeared on albums and on stage with founder and stalwart Dave Mustaine. The difference with David Ellefson however, is that he was an original, and for many years was Mustaine's right hand man.


Ellefson did leave the band in 2002 after some legal disagreements with Mustaine and the Megadeth brand. Fortunately, the 2 friends reconciled and Ellefson returned to Megadeth in 2010. And then 2021 happened...


In 2021, David Ellefson fell under some more controversy over what the bassist claimed was an illegally leaked video. The allegations, along with an already strained relationship were enough for Mustaine to part ways yet again with the bassist.


Another former Megadeth member was guitarist Jeff Young. Young became a member in 1987, ahead of the band's 3rd release So Far, So Good, So What... replacing previous guitarist Chris Poland. This would be the only album that Young would record with Mustaine as the 2 parted ways in 1989 over other allegations.


ENTER 2022



David Ellefson has been a busy man with a number of side projects in addition to co-founding the rock band The Lucid in 2021. But in 2022, Ellefson and Jeff Young joined forces to bring you Kings of Thrash, a thrash metal band also featuring vocalist/guitarist Chaz Leon and drummer Fred Aching. Kings of Thrash played 4 dates in October 2022, in California, Arizona and Nevada with the finale at the iconic Whiskey A Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. During the gigs of this brief get-together, the band would play Megadeth albums Killing is My Business... and So Far, So Good, So What... in their entirety. There was even a Special Guest Appearance by another ex-Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland.


Seems the popularity of this act has caught on as the band has decided to take the show on the road in 2023. The 21 date "Thrashin USA 2023" tour kicked off on February 16 in Joliet, IL, and continues through to March 15, where the first leg of the tour is scheduled to end in Atlanta, GA. Fortunately, at press time, this will not be the end of it as the band plans a World Tour through 2023. My fingers are crossed for a few Canadian dates once they open this up.


And the fun doesn't stop here. After signing a deal with Cleopatra Records, the band will also release a CD/DVD package of the 17 track Whiskey A Go-Go show from October. You can pre-order here (No, I am not receiving royalties for this plug).


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