HAVING BEATEN ALCOHOLISM, come back from a career-threatening arm injury and bested throat cancer, it’s not a stretch to call Dave Mustaine bulletproof. Stronger than ever as he snatches another victory from the jaws of defeat, Mustaine is now triumphantly celebrating 40 headbanging years of Megadeth.
“There have been times where shit got hard,” Mustaine says. “There have been times when I needed to stop and figure out how to move forward. But there was never a time when I thought this would be over for good. I’m built differently; I’m not designed to give up. Things have stood in my way, but my attitude and faith have kept me going when most people wouldn’t.”
Mustaine’s habit of twisting trouble into triumph dates to being jettisoned by Metallica while on the precipice of success. Not to be deterred, the red-haired battle ax sunk his teeth into the opposition, coming out the other side a thrash metal icon.
“When the shit hit the fan, I dug in,” Mustaine says. “I didn’t pussy out. I instilled a mindset into this band that we would not be deterred or fucked with. We’ve always picked ourselves up off the deck, and that has been gratifying because it shows that my vision was right. I’ve been able to have success and maintain my integrity. Not many people can say that.”
Some 40 years after the formation of Megadeth, Mustaine remains a spitfire, albeit wiser. Now surrounded by a cast of characters with whom he shares a genuine brotherhood, life seems more manageable for Megadeth’s alpha leader. While his penchant for ill-tempered moods and face-melting heroics remains, the menacing madman has found a soft spot for those he’s closest to.
“If I’m being completely honest, [] Kiko [], [] Dirk [] and [] James [] are the most pleasant people I’ve ever been in a band with,” Mustaine says. “They work hard, aren’t money-driven and live to play. There have been a lot of people in this band, and I’ve dealt with a lot of assholes. Not everyone can handle this level of exposure. Not everyone shares my vision. But I’m
