When Megadeth released its self-titled final studio album, Megadeth, earlier this year, one track in particular immediately sparked conversation — a cover of “Ride The Lightning,” originally recorded by Metallica.
Given the long and often turbulent history between the two bands, the choice was bound to turn heads.
In a recent interview with the LA Times, Dave Mustaine addressed both the cover and the complicated legacy that still surrounds his early years in Metallica. Before forming Megadeth, Mustaine was Metallica’s lead guitarist from 1982 to 1983, contributing riffs that would later appear on Kill ’Em All and even on Ride The Lightning. His dismissal — attributed to alcoholism, drug misuse and aggressive behavior — became one of the most defining moments in thrash metal history.
Over the decades, Mustaine has frequently pointed to that fallout as a major source of motivation. Speaking candidly about the impact it had on him, he said: “Think of it. Where would I be right now if I didn’t have one of the biggest bands in the world spending their time trying to hold me back? They don’t do it anymore, but most of the time when they did, it just made me shake my head.
“And it wasn’t just Metallica, it was everybody. For a long time, it very much was me against the world. It was like, okay, if you’re not with me, you’re against me.”
As for revisiting “Ride The Lightning” decades later, Mustaine insists the gesture was about respect rather than reopening old wounds. Reflecting on the possibility that he may never reconnect with his former bandmates, he explained: “There may not be a chance to ever say hello to James [Hetfield, Metallica guitarist] or Lars [Ulrich, Metallica drummer] again. I knew some people would have a hard time with me doing the song, but that’s okay because I wanted to pay tribute and show my respect.
“If they like it, fine. If they don’t like it, fine. If they listen to it, fine. If they don’t, fine.”
