In a new interview promoting a show with his current band Kings of Thrash, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson made a bold claim about his former band’s legacy, stating that Megadeth‘s music is “probably the most timeless” within the thrash metal genre.
Speaking on Fox Rochester’s “ARC Rochester” program on October 21 alongside fellow Kings of Thrash and ex-Megadeth guitarist Jeff Young, Ellefson reflected on the enduring quality of the music he helped create. He explained that longevity was a goal from the band’s inception.
“There was a benchmark we had when we started Megadeth , is to write very epic-oriented music stuff that could really be a soundtrack. If you closed your eyes, you could almost have a visual to it. And also stuff that was timeless,” Ellefson said. “And I think the music has really stood the test of time. It doesn’t sound dated… I think the Megadeth music, out of everybody in the thrash genre, I will go on record as saying, I think is probably the most timeless and will probably stand the test of time the most and be the most listened to by people that aren’t even just metalheads.”
Ellefson also discussed the natural evolution of heavy music, recalling a conversation he had with the late Ronnie James Dio back in 1988 about how each new generation pushes the boundaries further. “Our thrash metal was really heavy compared to what he was doing. Then the masked bands come out — Slipknot, Mudvayne and all this stuff — so it gets heavier and heavier,” he observed. “Look, rock and roll has always been about pushing the limits, starting with Elvis [Presley]. That’s just the nature of what it’s supposed to be.”
He noted how even bands once considered shocking, like KISS, eventually become “family entertainment” as music progresses. “Our music’s actually pretty melodic. It’s heavy, but it’s melodic. It’s listenable,” he said of thrash metal’s place in the current landscape. “The young generations are always the creators and they’re always pushing the envelope a little farther.”
Ellefson and Young are currently touring with their band Kings of Thrash, which performs early Megadeth material. Their appearance on the Rochester program was part of the promotional efforts for that project.
You can listen to the full interview down below.
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