Members of Megadeth

Megadeth Members

Performance at the Metalmania music festival in the sports and concert complex Spodek in the Polish city ​​of Katowice on March 8, 2008

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine (after he was fired from Metallica ), bass player David Ellefson , guitarist Greg Handewidt and drummer Dijon Carraters in 1983 ^[1] . In early 1984, the band released a demo of their songs with new drummer Chris McClure, who replaced Carraters. Soon, McClure gave way to Lee Rausch, while Slayer guitarist Kerry King played with Megadeth at concerts until a permanent replacement was found ^[1] . This lineup was short-lived and after several performances Rausch was replaced by jazz / fusion drummer Gara Samuelson , and Chris Poland became the second guitarist ^[2] . In 1985, during a concert tour in support of the debut release of Killing Is My Business ... and Business Is Good! Poland leaves the band and is temporarily replaced by Mike Albert, but in October of that year he returned shortly before starting work on his second album Peace Sells ... but Who's Buying? ^[1] . After problems with alcohol and drug abuse, Mustain fired Poland and Samuelson before recording their third album So Far, So Good ... So What! The musicians were replaced by Jeff Young and Chuck Beler, respectively ^[2] .

During a world tour in support of So Far, So Good ... Mustain fired Beler, and then Young ^[3] . In July 1989, Nick Menz took the place behind the drums ^[1] . After a long search for a second guitarist, the choice rests on Marty Friedman , who officially joined the group in February 1990 ^[4] . This composition remained unchanged for almost eight years, until a knee injury forced Ments to leave the tour for the duration of the surgery. He is temporarily (as it seemed initially) replaced by Jimmy Degrasso . However, during the 1998 Ozzfest festival , Degrasso became a member on an ongoing basis ^[5] . After the release of the next album, Risk Megadeth went on tour in September 1999 , during which Friedman left the band, citing "musical differences" ^[1] . In January 2000, he was replaced by guitarist Al Pitrelli ^[1] . In early 2002, Mustaine received several injuries, as a result of which he announces the breakup of the group ^[6] . After almost a year of restoration, Mustaine begins work on material that was supposed to be included in his solo album ^[7] . Session participants are participating in the recording: drummer Vinnie Colayuta and bass player Jimmy Lee Sloas . Soon the project is suspended and Mustaine is mixing and reissuing the first eight Megadeth albums under the label Capitol Records ^[2] .

In May 2004, Dave Mustaine returned to his newly recorded material intended for solo work, to release it under the brand name “Megadeth” due to the terms of the contract with the label EMI ^[7] . A decision is made to re-create the group. Mustaine invites musicians from the "classic" line-up of Megadeth, which was formed during the recording of the album Rust in Peace . Menza agrees, but with Friedman and Ellefsson, agreement was never reached ^[8] . A former member of the group Chris Poland is invited to write guitar solo parts for the album ^[1] . Soon the Megadeth world tour begins with new regular members: bassist James McDonau and guitarist Glen Drover ^[1] . During the preparation for the tour, Menza repeatedly parted with the group, as he could not get the optimal physical condition for conducting a full tour of the USA ^[9] . Five days before the first performance, he was replaced by Sean Drover - Glen's brother. In February 2006, McDonau left the band due to "personal disagreements." He is replaced by James Lomenzo ^[10] . Two years later, Chris Broderick came to replace the second guitarist, replacing Glen Drover, who decided to focus on his family ^[11] .

On February 8, 2010, it was announced that original bassist David Ellefson would return to the group, replacing James Lomenzo. ^[12]

On November 25, 2014, drummer Sean Drover left the band ^[13] , and the next day, guitarist Chris Broderick (2008-2014) announced his resignation from the band ^[14] .

At the end of March 2015, Chris Adler, drummer for Lamb of God , announced his accession to Megadeth to record the next album, due out in September. ^[15]

On April 2, 2015, guitarist Kiko Loureiro joined the group as a full member ^[16] .

On July 2, 2016, Chris Adler ended his collaboration with the group ^[17] . On July 14, 2016, it was announced that drummer Dirk Verburen would join as a full member of the band ^{[18] [19] [20]} .