Megadeth’s frontman, Dave Mustaine, recently shared his thoughts on the band’s former members during an interview with Bloodstock TV’s Oran O’Beirne. Known for his candidness, Mustaine didn’t hesitate to express his opinions.
The conversation touched on various topics, including Megadeth’s special performance in Tokyo, Japan at the iconic Budokan venue. Mustaine and his current bandmates were joined by ex-guitarist Marty Friedman for this memorable show, where they performed popular tracks like “Countdown To Extinction,” “Tornado Of Souls,” and “Symphony Of Destruction.”
When asked about Friedman’s return to the stage with Megadeth after 23 years, Mustaine commented, “It felt like old times. Besides, Marty has made a name for himself since then. Out of all the former Megadeth members, Marty seems to be the only one who has achieved significant success. No offense to the others, but that’s the reality of things.”
Mustaine continued, “If you look at their sales and accomplishments, Marty is the only one who has truly made a mark. It was great to see him thriving in his own musical endeavors. Moreover, when he joined us, he had valuable suggestions to ensure the show’s success. He wanted to rehearse the songs multiple times to ensure everything was perfect. And, true to form, Marty mesmerized us all, including myself, when he took the stage.”
Reflecting further on the performance, Mustaine said, “It was a bit challenging to focus on my own work while watching him, but I was really looking forward to attending the show and witnessing the incredible guitar skills of both Kiko [Loureiro, current Megadeth guitarist] and Marty. They are undoubtedly two of the most exceptional guitarists in the realms of hard rock and heavy metal, and seeing them perform together was truly remarkable.”
In addition to discussing the Budokan concert, Mustaine also mentioned Megadeth’s latest album, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead,” which was released on September 2, 2022, through UMe. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, with approximately 48,000 album-equivalent units. Out of this, 45,000 units were from traditional album sales, while streaming contributed 3,000 units.
“The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead” achieved significant chart success in various countries, reaching number two in Switzerland, number six in Belgium, and number twelve in France. These rankings represent the band’s highest chart positions in those countries to date.
Dave Mustaine’s acknowledgment of Marty Friedman’s accomplishments highlights the guitarist’s significant contributions and enduring impact within the music industry.
