“Dave really wants to do another record and just get something fresh out there”: James LoMenzo confirms Megadeth are working towards new album By Will Simpson published 27 June 24 Band are talking “every day”
Strings sell… but who’s buying?: Dave Mustaine unleashes signature guitar strings By Will Simpson published 13 June 24 They’re the “loudest, best performing” ones he’s ever used
“You can almost hear The Beatles influence and the Led Zeppelin influence at the front of the song”: How Dave Mustaine channelled unlikely influences for Megdeth's Hangar 18 By Jonathan Horsley published 22 March 24 "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 – but my third one I did”
“We need guitar music that makes those people feel something”: Marty Friedman wishes “slow and painful death” upon the traditional guitar solo and has some ideas on what should replace it By Jonathan Horsley published 2 February 24 The former Megadeth lead guitarist is the latest high-profile player to declare war on solos, arguing eight bars of “stupid licks” are not moving the audience anymore
“When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it once, turned around and, without saying a word, shook my hand" – the story of Megadeth's Tornado Of Souls By Rob Laing published 29 December 23 Best of 2023: Marty Friedman and a "watershed moment" for Dave Mustaine
“I would like to thank Kiko for his dedication and hard work these past nine years”: Kiko Loureiro leaves Megadeth, Dave Mustaine confirms Teemu Mäntysaari as replacement By Jonathan Horsley published 21 November 23 Kiko Loureiro stepped down temporarily for family reasons in September and now to remain on “extended leave of absence” as Megadeth scheduled to spend most of 2024 on the road
Marty Friedman’s guitar teacher told him to take a bong hit every time he played an exercise correctly, but the ex-Megadeth guitarist has better advice for students By Jonathan Horsley published 15 September 23 Friedman has just finished working on an epic lesson video for TrueFire that will teach players to develop a musical identity – and he says that is more important than any technique
Watch Marty Friedman nail the greatest solo in thrash metal history as he plays Tornado Of Souls with Megadeth at Wacken By Jonathan Horsley published 7 August 23 Fan-shot footage offers a pit's eye view of a historic moment as Friedman rejoins Megadeth for a live cameo and blazes through his ripping lead from the Rust In Peace classic
Watch fan-shot footage of Marty Friedman performing live with Megadeth onstage at the Budokan By Jonathan Horsley published 28 February 23 The video was shot from the gods but Countdown to Extinction sounds all kinds of heavenly for any thrash metal head nostalgic for Megadeth's golden years
Dave Mustaine confirms Marty Friedman’s return as Megadeth’s Rust In Peace era guitar partnership reunites for Tokyo show By Jonathan Horsley published 14 February 23 The Budokan will host a historic reunion on 27 Feb as one of thrash metal's most potent guitar duos is back onstage together after 23 years apart for an event that will be livestreamed