Dave Mustaine isn’t fully closing the book just yet, with Megadeth moving toward the end of their long road, the frontman has again addressed the long rumoured idea of a solo album, saying it remains a possibility even as his focus stays firmly on the band.
Speaking in a new interview with Poland’s Teraz Rock, Mustaine reflected on a moment more than two decades ago when a solo record almost became reality (as per Metal Injection).
That period followed a severe arm injury around the time of 2004’s The System Has Failed, when he believed his playing career was over and told his bandmates Megadeth was finished.
“I hadn’t touched a guitar for 17 months,” Mustaine recalled.
That changed after Alice Cooper, his godfather, invited him to perform at a benefit concert for a deceased crew member, despite doubts about whether he could still play, the experience flipped a switch.
“Somehow the pilot light was reignited and the fire inside of me started burning again,” he said.
Megadeth’s classic lineup
Mustaine explained that attempts to reunite Megadeth’s classic lineup with Marty Friedman, Nick Menza, and David Ellefson ultimately failed, instead he recorded with other musicians, including drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmie Sloas.
While initially intended as a solo album, the material was ultimately released under the Megadeth name.
Asked whether he might finally pursue a solo album after Megadeth’s eventual farewell tour, Mustaine gave a typically non committal answer.
“I might. I don’t think so. I might,” he said.
For now, he insists his attention is fully on Megadeth’s present momentum:
“Right now, things are going so great for us, we’re not even really thinking about the end. We’re thinking about the beginning of this, this campaign, and heading out and, and showing this [new] music to our fans.”
Mustaine also pointed to strong ticket sales, explaining that demand has forced venue upgrades in multiple cities, with sections being opened that are often kept closed for underperforming tours.
Megadeth’s new self-titled album, Megadeth, was released on last Friday, January 23rd, via Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s BLKIIBLK label.
Whether a solo album ever materialises is still unclear, what is clear is that Mustaine isn’t slowing down yet and it’s not out of the question.
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