More than four decades after helping write ‘Ride the Lightning’, Dave Mustaine has revealed revisiting the Metallica classic wasn’t nearly as straightforward as he expected.
The Megadeth frontman recently reflected on recording the band’s version of ‘Ride the Lightning’ for Megadeth’s self titled farewell album, admitting the biggest challenge wasn’t the guitar work, it was trying to match James Hetfield’s vocal performance.
Speaking in a behind the scenes video released by the band, Mustaine praised his former bandmate while explaining just how demanding the song proved to be:
“[The cover] honors James playing and singing. [He’s a] great singer, too. Fuck, I was trying to sing that song and some of it really pushed my vocal ability.”
Mustaine co-wrote ‘Ride the Lightning’
Mustaine famously co-wrote ‘Ride the Lightning’ during his time in Metallica before his departure in 1983, although he received songwriting credit on the title track, he never recorded the studio version that appeared on Metallica’s landmark 1984 album (per Loudwire).
The guitarist also revealed that Megadeth deliberately approached the iconic guitar solo differently, splitting the performance between himself and guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari rather than attempting a note for note recreation.
“We did that so it would have a little bit of our flair to it. It wouldn’t sound too much like Kirk (Hammett) trying to copy me in the beginning because I don’t remember what I initially did on ‘Ride the Lightning,’ and I can’t find any recordings of me playing it.”
The cover appears on Megadeth’s final studio album, which arrived earlier this year as the band continues its farewell tour around the world.
After wrapping up the European leg earlier this month, Megadeth will continue across North America before joining Iron Maiden on a series of stadium dates later this year.
Heading back to Australia
Australian fans won’t have to wait much longer to catch Mustaine one final time, Megadeth will return this November as special guests on Iron Maiden’s Australian tour, bringing the farewell run to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Megadeth Australian Tour Dates (supporting Iron Maiden)
- Wednesday, November 11th – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
- Friday, November 13th – AAMI Park, Melbourne
- Sunday, November 15th – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Wednesday, November 18th – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
- Thursday, November 19th – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Pick up your tickets here.
With the farewell tour gathering momentum, Mustaine is continuing to celebrate both Megadeth’s legacy and, perhaps unexpectedly, one of the defining songs from his earliest chapter in heavy metal.
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