Rock & Metal

Alex Skolnick Had Valid Concerns About Leaving Testament For Megadeth

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In a recent interview with Eonmusic, Alex Skolnick opened up about the time he was considered for Megadeth and why he ultimately chose to remain with Testament. The guitarist shared the backstory while discussing Metal Allegiance’s upcoming show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California.

Skolnick revealed that Dave Mustaine had him in mind long before Marty Friedman joined Megadeth in 1990. “I heard through the grapevine, many, many years ago [that they were interested],” Skolnick said. “I don’t know, if I’d made a call secretly, and reached out to management, and said, ‘Hey, I really wanna give this a shot,’ maybe it could’ve happened.”

At the time, Testament was gaining momentum with albums like The New Order and Practice What You Preach. Skolnick felt strongly about staying with the band. “We were really finding our footing and establishing a sound,” he explained. “It seemed like, ‘Okay, I’m a part of this thing,’ while Megadeth already had three guitar players by then, and it felt uncertain how long that would last.”

Though he didn’t join Megadeth, Skolnick was briefly “on standby” for the band in 2016 when Kiko Loureiro’s wife was expecting twins. He prepared for the possibility of filling in, but Loureiro didn’t end up missing any shows.

Skolnick also touched on his relationship with Mustaine in a 2009 interview with The Quietus. Reflecting on their time together during a U.K. tour with Testament, Megadeth, and Judas Priest, he described Mustaine as “a very intense personality.” Despite this, the two got along well. “Dave actually came to me for tips. I play in a jazz orchestra when I’m not doing this, and he was looking for help with jazz chords. What you need to know about Dave is that he’s always looking to improve,” Skolnick said.

Testament is slated to perform at the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival on May 9 and Welcome to Rockville on May 18. Skolnick’s unwavering dedication to Testament has helped the band maintain its signature sound and legacy within the metal scene.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

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