Kings of Thrash, the powerhouse group led by former Megadeth members David Ellefson and Jeff Young, has officially released its latest single, “Bullets Ready“. Issued via Cleopatra Records, the track serves as a high-energy collaboration that bridges the gap between thrash metal history and the band’s evolving original sound.
“Bullets Ready” features a vocal duet between Kings of Thrash frontman Chaz Leon and Gabriel Connor, the vocalist for the Los Angeles-based theatrical rock band Red Devil Vortex. The single is further bolstered by a guest appearance from veteran vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza, best known for his long tenure with Exodus. Behind the boards, the track was mixed by the Grammy-winning producer Cameron Webb, whose resume includes work with Motörhead, Danzig, and Godsmack.
For guitarist Jeff Young, the song carries a deep personal significance, as it was built around archive recordings from the late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza.
“During the making of the [former Megadeth drummer] Nick Menza [documentary] film, I acquired several demo recordings of Nick playing various drum progressions. In essence, the introduction, verses and chorus of ‘Bullets Ready’ came from playing along to one of Nick‘s energetic grooves. During [Megadeth‘s] So Far, So Good… So What! tour, it was often David, Nick and myself that would conduct the soundchecks. It was a surreal and nostalgic feeling to be playing along and writing riffs with my longlost friend. Nick‘s playing inspired so much of this song and his spirit is forever encapsulated inside this recording.”
Kings of Thrash first formed in early 2022 following a successful “Ultimate Jam Night” performance at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood. The event, which honored the “Big Four” of thrash, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, saw David Ellefson and Jeff Young reunite on stage to perform classic material. The resulting chemistry led to the “The MEGA Years” concept, a live experience dedicated to performing early Megadeth albums and deep cuts.
The band released the double live album and DVD The Best Of The West – Live At The Whisky A Go Go in 2023. While they began as a celebration of their past work, the group began releasing original material in 2025, starting with the punk-infused track “Lockdown“.
The music video for “Bullets Ready” was directed by the band’s drummer, Fred Aching. Filmed in Hollywood and at the Nelson Valley Ghost Town in Arizona, the visual reflects the gritty, progressive nature of the song.
Kings of Thrash is currently on a global tour, with scheduled dates across the United States, Canada, Norway, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
David Ellefson was a founding member of Megadeth, serving as their bassist from 1983 to 2002 and again from 2010 until his dismissal in 2021. Jeff Young joined the group in the late 1980s, performing on the platinum-certified 1988 album So Far, So Good… So What!.
