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Riff masterpiece 'Hangar 18' is the standout track from Megadeth's classic 1990 album 'Rust In Peace'. Dave Mustaine gives us the lowdown on his blistering ode to UFOs and wee green men...
Interview: Ed Mitchell

It's all gone a bit 'twilight zone'

TG: 'Hangar 18' is bursting with monster riffs. What do you remember about writing the song?

"I wrote a lot of songs when I was really young. 'Rust In Peace...Polaris' was written before I was in my first band, Panic. So was 'Mechanix' ('Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!', 1985). 'Hangar 18' was just another one of those songs, although it was actually under a different title. These were songs that I took with me to that first band – didn't get a chance to get them out in my second band [Metallica] – but my third one [Megadeth] I did. So I'm really excited about you picking that song."

TG: How young are we talking here?

"I was about 16. I started playing guitar when I was 13. I was about 18 when I'd gotten into Panic. After that ran its course I moved onto Metallica. I think I was about 20 when that happened."

TG: The inspiration for the song obviously comes from Hangar 18 at UFO central, Area 51...

"Yeah. When I was a kid I was fascinated by airplanes and I'd seen this number on the side of a plane and it said 'N2RHQ.' At least that's what I thought it said and I went 'wow, N2RHQ... into our headquarters. How cool?' That was the germination that set 'Hangar 18' on its way."

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