- A Shocking Tribute: Dave Mustaine has re-recorded the Metallica classic “Ride the Lightning” for Megadeth’s upcoming final album.
- A Final Olive Branch: Mustaine calls the recording a “tribute” to James Hetfield and an effort to “close the circle” on his four-decade career.
- Recorded in Secret: Mustaine admits he did not inform Hetfield or Lars Ulrich about the cover before recording the track, hoping to get their approval later.
- The End of an Era: The song will appear on Megadeth’s farewell album, with a final tour to be announced later this year.
A Final Chapter Closes the Circle
In a move that is sending shockwaves through the metal community, Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine has confirmed he is covering a Metallica classic for his band’s final album. Mustaine revealed to Rolling Stone that he has re-recorded “Ride the Lightning,” the title track from Metallica’s 1984 album for which he holds a co-writing credit. The tribute comes more than 40 years after his acrimonious split from the band he helped found.
“I wanted to do something to close the circle on my career right now,” Mustaine explained. The decision to include the iconic track on Megadeth’s farewell album is not about reopening old wounds, but about paying homage to his former bandmates, particularly singer-guitarist James Hetfield.
A Tribute to a Former Bandmate
Despite their famously complex history, Mustaine expressed deep admiration for Hetfield’s musical talent, a sentiment he feels is often overlooked.
“No one ever talks to me about that,” he said of Hetfield’s prowess. “One day he’s a singer, the next day he’s this fucking powerhouse, and I’ve always respected him as a guitar player.”
Mustaine was clear that the tribute was not an attempt to rekindle old friendships but to show respect he felt was overdue. “I think the whole purpose of this was not to try and rekindle relationships or anything. It was about showing respect to a man that … I don’t believe he thinks I respect him and I wanted to make that clear.”
The Megadeth Spin on a Thrash Classic
While Metallica’s original is a hair-raising tale of a man wrongly sentenced to the electric chair, Megadeth’s version promises a different energy. According to the report, the new recording is slightly faster and in a lower key, with Mustaine’s signature snarl replacing Hetfield’s screams. However, the guitar work remains just as powerful and muscular as the original that changed the face of metal.
A Risky Move Without Approval
In a controversial twist, Mustaine admitted that neither James Hetfield nor Lars Ulrich were aware of the re-recording beforehand.
“I was hoping that we could get his approval on this before we release the track,” Mustaine said, revealing he no longer has Hetfield’s phone number. “But when it turned out the way that it did, I think there were so many people that were happy that we did this, that we just went for it.”
While he welcomes the possibility of speaking with Hetfield again, he is prepared for any outcome. “I also know that time takes time to heal wounds, and I don’t know if we still have that kind of relationship anymore.”
The End of an Era
The 10-track album, aptly titled Megadeth, is scheduled for release on January 23rd and features the lead single “Tipping Point.” The band has confirmed they do not plan to perform “Ride the Lightning” live on their upcoming farewell tour. As Mustaine prepares to hang up his guitar, this final, bold statement ensures nothing is left unsaid.