Dave Mustaine has revisited his decision to fire longtime Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, revealing the relationship was already deteriorating before the 2021 scandal that ultimately accelerated his departure.
Mustaine addresses the split in his newly released memoir, In My Darkest Hour, which documents his battle with throat cancer and the turbulent period that followed (per The PRP).
An excerpt published by Rolling Stone sees Mustaine reflecting on the sexually explicit videos involving Ellefson that surfaced online in May 2021.
“Would David have remained a member of Megadeth if that video had not surfaced? Who’s to say? I’ve seen enough guys come and go with Megadeth, and I’ve experienced enough upheaval with David to know that the end was likely near. But, certainly, the scandal hastened the process.”
Ellefson denied allegations of criminal wrongdoing at the time and was subsequently legally cleared. Megadeth nevertheless announced his departure on May 24th, 2021.
Mustaine writes that tensions between the pair stretched considerably further back, pointing to their legal dispute following Megadeth’s 2002 breakup and describing the relationship after Ellefson’s 2010 return as strained.
“But things were never great between us; there was too much history, too much anger, too much behavior that I found distasteful.”
The decision also created an immediate problem for Megadeth’s then-unreleased album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!.
Ellefson had already recorded his bass parts, but Mustaine says the band ultimately decided his involvement would become a distraction.
“In the end, we made a decision: David’s bass parts would be scrubbed completely from the album and re-recorded with a new musician.”
Those parts were subsequently re-recorded by Testament bassist Steve Di Giorgio.
The memoir arrives during Megadeth’s own final chapter.
Speaking exclusively with us in August, Mustaine explained that his decision to wind down the band was partly influenced by problems with his hand.
“Well, I wanted to go out on top, and I don’t think we can go out any more on top than this.”
Australian fans will see that farewell chapter firsthand in November when Megadeth join Iron Maiden for five shows across Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Megadeth Australian Tour Dates With Iron Maiden
- Wednesday, November 11th – Adelaide, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
- Friday, November 13th – Melbourne, AAMI Park
- Sunday, November 15th – Sydney, Allianz Stadium
- Wednesday, November 18th – Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
- Thursday, November 19th – Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Tickets are on sale now via TEG Dainty.
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