David Ellefson returns to Megadeth

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has announced the return of original bassist David Ellefson (1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group.  This reunion is appropriately timed to Megadeth’s upcoming historic month-long Rust In Peace 20th anniversary tour which launches March 1 in Spokane, WA.  At these incredibly special shows, Megadeth will play their landmark, genre-defining 1990 album Rust In Peace in its entirety, in addition to other Megadeth favorites.

"This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness,” Mustaine says.  “David Ellefson belongs in Megadeth. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked...HARD!"
David Ellefson concurs: "This is a huge moment for all of us, band and fans alike. It is a great celebration of the music from one of the biggest landmark albums of our career."

Ellefson will join Mustaine and Megadeth band members Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar) on tour in support of the group’s current CD Endgame, which has received some of the highest critical accolades of the band’s career.

"We'd like to thank James LoMenzo for several years of loyal service on the bass, and wish him the very best," Mustaine adds.

For more information on Megadeth, go to: www.megadeth.com.

I have no idea what to think...

Wow. That's something I didn't think I'd see.

What happened to Ellefson's demand that Mustaine bring back The World Needs a Hero's lineup?

On a more positive note, I really enjoyed Ellefson's playing in Hail! He's still an excellent musician, and it reminded me how laughable Mustaine's quips were about him being inept and needing "too many takes" when they recorded Megadeth albums.

God, what a passive-aggressive dick.

Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.

Hopefully this will be a long lasting 'reunion' and Mustaine doesn't turn to Dr Dick again.  It's good to see that people can toss water under the bridge and move on.  I loved seeing Dave in those Hail! clips.  This should make MP a happy man.

ya gotta do what it takes to pay the bills.

WTF? Didn't see that one coming ...

I find it very hard to take Megadeth serious anymore.

Heavy metal strawberry: http://yfrog.com/c9s9itj

mmm ... Lomenzo is a great player. Anyway, Dave Ellefson is part of Megadeth and he belongs there, no doubt.

romdrums

There are no lesbians in the world, only women who haven't heard the Hollow Years LAB solo.

I've never seen anyone contradict himself more than Mustaine. 

I hate Metallica.  I love Metallica.  I hate Metallica.  Hey! Let's do a tour together!

I hate Marty.  I love Marty.  I hate Marty.

I hate Ellefson.  I love Ellefson.  I'll never play with Ellefson ever again.  Hey! Let's do a reunion tour!

Drugs have truly messed with his brain.

I bet that was a hard phone call to make for Mustaine.



AWKWARD.

wow! I'm very shocked! I didn't think this would ever happen

9.17.07 || Reaper || Blood Obsession

3DeadCanadians


I've never seen anyone contradict himself more than Mustaine. 

I hate Metallica.  I love Metallica.  I hate Metallica.  Hey! Let's do a tour together!

I hate Marty.  I love Marty.  I hate Marty.

I hate Ellefson.  I love Ellefson.  I'll never play with Ellefson ever again.  Hey! Let's do a reunion tour!

Drugs have truly messed with his brain.

It could be that.

Or it could be the years of physical and emotional abuse from his parents.

Or the man could just be naturally crazy.

Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.

buying tickets for the hollywood show!

WOW

This is a fuckin' publicity stunt, imo.

But is this reunion only for this tour or he's in the band for good?

Now known as João "John" Piruças

They'll have another new line up in a couple years.  You only have to look at how many different members that band has gone through to know that Dave's an asshole.

my prog rock band

got my ticket last friday. the news that ellefson is back in the fold makes it all that much sweeter. i am going to the orange peel gig which sold out oover the weekend and as far i have seen is the only sold gig so far...

RUST IN PEACE 2OTH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
MEGADETH ~ TESTAMENT ~ EXODUS Date
Location Venue Ages Support Tickets March 1 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
2 Boise, ID Knitting Factory All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
3 Medford, OR Medford Armory All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
6 Calgary, AB Big Four All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
7 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Centre All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
8 Saskatoon, SK Prairieland Exhibition Hall All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
11 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theater All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
12 Greensburg, PA Palace Theater All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
13 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
15 Washington, DC 9:30 Club All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
16 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
18 Scranton, PA Scranton Cultural Center All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
19 Norfolk, VA The NorVa All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
21 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
22 Asheville, NC Orange Peel 18+ Testament / Exodus SOLD OUT
23 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall 18+ Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
25 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
26 Austin, TX Stubb's Amphitheater All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
27 Lubbock, TX The Pavillion All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
28 El Paso, TX Club 101 All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
30 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets
31 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Palladium All Testament / Exodus Buy Tickets  

Nice to see as I consider Megadeth to be BOTH Daves. I loved Marty but this band has rotated a lot of lead axemen, so I can deal with that.

I guess technically it's still "MegaDave"

Watched the new That Metal Show with him Saturday- he's looking rough......and still a complete ass, and as already stated- contradicts himself on a hourly basis.

That being said, RIP is for sure in my top 5 albums.

Everyone who has criticized Mustaine in this thread will be banned for life. 

I wish Ellefson and Friedman would form their own band.

You can find all you need in your mind if you take the time. [awesome] nar nar nar nar squeedily squeedily dee[/awesome]

Moved my Slayer/Megadeth/Testament tickets (got cancelled and my money back) for the Megadeth/Testament/Exodus date in Houston. And for some reason there is no American Carnage date in Houston... The lineup is still awesome (would take Exodus for Slayer anytime).

"Popular taste is cyclical, not to say fecal." - Neil Peart

3DeadCanadians


I've never seen anyone contradict himself more than Mustaine. 

I hate Metallica.  I love Metallica.  I hate Metallica.  Hey! Let's do a tour together!

I hate Marty.  I love Marty.  I hate Marty.

I hate Ellefson.  I love Ellefson.  I'll never play with Ellefson ever again.  Hey! Let's do a reunion tour!

Drugs have truly messed with his brain.

This....but I love Dave, what can I say?

RG7CSTodd


Watched the new That Metal Show with him Saturday- he's looking rough......and still a complete ass, and as already stated- contradicts himself on a hourly basis.

That being said, RIP is for sure in my top 5 albums.

I watched TMS too and although I'm a big fan of Megadeth, Dave Mustaine just comes off as childish. He seems the type that was picked on in school, and is getting revenge today by being famous. The funniest part of the show was when he leaned over to Eddie Trunk and remarked that the audience member asking the trivia question looked like a q-tip (the guy had some pretty bad "hathead" going on). He said it in a low voice so the guy didn't hear it, but the editor decided to include it in the airing. Comical, but very immature.

I got a chance to speak with Dave Ellefson after the Hail! show in Ma. He seems like an incredibly cool guy - I'm not sure why he gets a bad wrap... anyone care to shed light?

Wow, I never would have expected this to happen.

It sucks that Hail and F5 have to be put on the back burner but it's good that Ellefson is back making the money he deserves.

http://www.facebook.com/that1drummerguy: My DJ Page for my radio show
http://www.facebook.com/w3rdradio: The radio station Where I host my show.
http://joshrundquist.blogspot.com/ That Drummer Guy's Music Review

DTman2112


I got a chance to speak with Dave Ellefson after the Hail! show in Ma. He seems like an incredibly cool guy - I'm not sure why he gets a bad wrap... anyone care to shed light?

I think the ragging in this thread is mainly about Dave Mustaine, not David Ellefson.


In fact, I can't think of anyone other than Mustaine ever saying anything negative about Ellefson. He's the embodiment of the term "Minnesota nice."

Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.

Now if only he'd sack that horrible hack drummer he's got these days..

PincheJoto


Now if only he'd sack that horrible hack drummer he's got these days..

Jeremy Smirnoff
drums, percussion
http://www.facebook.com/jeremy.smirnoff

Awesome news, I'll be at the Baltimore show.

"Squeeze my lemon til the juice runs down my leg, squeeze it so hard I fall right outta bed."

Might want to take Lomenzo's pic/info off the main pages of the megadeth official site then. What's the over/under on how long it takes them to make the change? My guess is 7-10 days.

I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789

20 year old celebration?? album played in full?? former member coming back?? megadeth is yet another band who rips off DT

Guess MP likes the news as well. ;)

Pretty big change in the Metal scene. Hope it goes well?

This is some great news for sure. I love Ellefson. Fingers crossed for a return of Freidman at some point.

Rust in Peace the album: roughly an hour
Rust in Peace live: roughly half an hour.

I'm still disappointed at the lack of UK dates.

Facebook. 
Wherever there is metal and beer,
dark forces draw me near.

Megadeth should't attract any attention at this point. 

Joe Lynn Turner doing an album with some dude from the 3rd phase of Alcatraz is as important.

JIM FIRED!

The Fish


Megadeth should't attract any attention at this point. 

Joe Lynn Turner doing an album with some dude from the 3rd phase of Alcatraz is as important.

This.

Jeremy Smirnoff
drums, percussion
http://www.facebook.com/jeremy.smirnoff

Megadeth = Sham.

Dave Mustaine is clutching at straws. He'll be trying to get Marty back in next!

BrickGlass


This is some great news for sure. I love Ellefson. Fingers crossed for a return of Freidman at some point.

GIGANTIC +1 to the return of Freidman.  Easily my favorite era of Megadeth.

TRIAL_OF_BEERS


Awesome news, I'll be at the Baltimore show.

Wanted to go to that show but one of my buddies couldn't make it, so will be at the DC show instead.

As long as I got rock n roll, I'm forever young

Hasn't Friedman said that he's not interested in that kind of music anymore? I think I remember him saying that he's more into the pop kind of music.

Either way I think Ellefson coming back to Megadeth is good though Lomenzo was just as good and a great replacement.

I agree about replacing the drummer, he seems very wooden. I'm sure he's a nice guy but his playing is really very bland.

"I'm in a glass case of emotion."

faizoff


Hasn't Friedman said that he's not interested in that kind of music anymore? I think I remember him saying that he's more into the pop kind of music.

Either way I think Ellefson coming back to Megadeth is good though Lomenzo was just as good and a great replacement.

I agree about replacing the drummer, he seems very wooden. I'm sure he's a nice guy but his playing is really very bland.

+1 on all this. Getting Friedman back in the band is a long shot at best, but never say never!

Megadeth is in the same category as Queensryche for me these days. The only reason I even considered going to see them again was this RIP 20th anniversary show, but they aren't coming anywhere near enough to me (no Chicago or Milwaukee shows). The "American Carnage" tour is coming to Chicago in August, but unless they confirm that they are playing RIP in its entirety, there's no way I'm spending the cash to see them.

I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789

DTD


Megadeth is in the same category as Queensryche for me these days. The only reason I even considered going to see them again was this RIP 20th anniversary show, but they aren't coming anywhere near enough to me (no Chicago or Milwaukee shows). The "American Carnage" tour is coming to Chicago in August, but unless they confirm that they are playing RIP in its entirety, there's no way I'm spending the cash to see them.

That's pretty much how I feel as well. Having seen them when they were touring for Youthanasia, when they came here in 2008 I only went because I blagged my way into getting a free ticket. I'd forgotten how bad Mustaine's vocals were on a live setting, and the drummer was just horrendous, dumbing down every single Menza fill. Having said that, I liked Lomenzo way better than Ellefson, both in terms of playing and stage presence, in fact he was the only one who didn't come off completely wooden.

It makes total sense to me, it is a 20 year mark tour for Rust In Peace. Why everyone acts so personally offended by Mustaine I will never understand.

I just got word from Roadrunner that I'll be working this show in Scranton, so I'll be getting in for free!

Vinnie Colaiuta anyone??!!! LOL Just imagine a

Mustaine-Friedman-Ellefson-Colaiuta Line up!

I am that forumer that once opened for Dream Theater. OH YEAH!

Marty is too good to be in Megadeth imo. His solo stuff are just incredible.       

I get tired of all the Dave bashing that occurs within every Megadeth thread. I mean honestly. Who gives a shit if he's an ass hole or not. The music is what counts. And Megadeth makes awesome music, IMO.

I make the devil laugh and angels wail.  Forever I will reside beyond the pale.

Crap. DC is sold out before I realized I could actually make this show.... 

Where do you belong... anally?

the_last_drummer


Vinnie Colaiuta anyone??!!! LOL Just imagine a

Mustaine-Friedman-Ellefson-Colaiuta Line up!

Yea.... That would be cool, but it won't happen.

1. Colaiuta would never "join" Megadeth. He is waaaaaaay too busy for this.
2. That would be a big waste of VC's time.
3. I mentioned to Mustaine during the System Has Failed tour when he first brought on Drover and Mustaine was doing his farewell tour that I really dug VC's contribution to the record and asked how likely it is that they will work together again. His response was that VC is cool and all, but THIS guy (Drover) is just such an easy guy to work with and they get along great, so it is unlikely that he'd work with anyone else at this point. Whatever... His band, he can do as he wishes. I stopped caring 2 albums ago.

Jeremy Smirnoff
drums, percussion
http://www.facebook.com/jeremy.smirnoff

Progmetalman


I get tired of all the Dave bashing that occurs within every Megadeth thread. I mean honestly. Who gives a shit if he's an ass hole or not. The music is what counts. And Megadeth makes awesome music, IMO.

Completely agree with you. Dave is obviously not a very liked person, but the dude can write some great music and that is really all I care about.

OMFG i only just found out! this is the best news i've heard all year!
woop next album is going to be killer :D
and about Friedman...yeah - he can stay away as far as i'm concerned, he's probably best staying with his Jap Pop and punk-style solo albums

pretty much echoing the post before me - yes - Dave is/was a dick - get over it...

He's Pro

No NYC (or close) date for this RiP tour is unfathomable... 

NYCoolRunner


No NYC (or close) date for this RiP tour is unfathomable... 

Agreed. Nothing anywhere near Chicago either (well, Indy is kinda close, relative to the rest of the dates). This has the feel of a hastily arranged tour to bridge the gap between the canceled American Carnage tour and the next tour with Slayer and Testament. Why else would they skip two of the biggest cities in the country?

I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789

Now you know how it feels.

Yeah, I'm bummed about no Chicago date as well. I actually had retired from seeing Megadeth in concert after the first Gigantour. I've enjoyed the last 2 albums but had no desire to catch a show. This I would have come out of retirement for.

Also, to add the the talk on the Dave bashing and such, there has been several recent interviews and comments from Dave that stated that he and Ellefson had made up awhile ago but had never discussed the thought of reuniting. Mustaine said that the reunion happened by sort of an accident at an event of some sort. I would have to find the text but that is the gist of it. They had already put the past behind them some time ago.

"It is I - Turkey Volume Guessing Man!" - Crow from MST3K

"Military Intelligence - Two Words Combined That Can't Make Sense." - Hangar 18

Listened to Youthanasia the other day....what a good record.  Really well recorded with great songs and some of marty's best leads!!!

have you guys seen the setlist for upcoming RIP tour? holy shit, my neck is already sore.

I have never seen a band release a setlist prior to a tour but nonetheless its posted at the megadeth site. I guess its to drive ticket sales.

tangdog

I guess its to drive ticket sales.

So is the return of Ellefson.

Now known as João "John" Piruças

goncalo_viola

tangdog

I guess its to drive ticket sales.

So is the return of Ellefson.

I agree. I bought my ticket before either happened though. Last time I saw MD was at red rocks and now they are playing a venue that only holds 1,100?

Of course, the Mustaine haters will never stop hating but I find nothing wrong with this.

Story HERE

_________________________________________

Noisecreep.com: A lot of people thought Hell would freeze over before you played with Dave Ellefson again. How did you two bury the hatchet?

Mustaine: "When I became a Christian, my life really changed. Unlike a lot of people who say that they're Christian and really are hypoChristians, I'm not a guy that goes around, tells people how to live their life and then lives a double life behind closed doors. So, when I was forgiven I realized I needed to forgive. We had that incident with the lawsuit, and I forgave Dave for that. Several years ago when I went out to Phoenix on a business trip, I asked him if we could go out to dinner. He said, "Yeah." And we sat down at California Pizza Kitchen and had some food and talked a little bit. I told him, "I still love you." And he said, "I love you, too." And I put that behind me, because he's a little brother to me. So I'm looking at this as an opportunity to do the right thing for Dave and show him that I am a good leader and we are a great band, and we do belong playing together."

Noisecreep.com: Are there any lingering animosities?

Mustaine: "No, I can't stay mad at him. He's one of my best friends. Sometimes we do things in the heat of the moment. And trust me, I have done more things that were wrong that affected him than anything that he did to affect me. And again, like I said, I was forgiven, so I needed to forgive. And I wanted to really, really do what I say I'm gonna do. I mean, if anybody needed to change their life you know I did, man. I was going down a very bad path. And people make fun of me a lot right now and it still doesn't feel good, but I don't care. I'm a much happier person when I think about who I used to be and now what I am. And just by the way that I'm trying to live my life differently right now, I've gotten my best friend back and we're back to being one of the greatest bands in the world."

Noisecreep.com: What triggered your decision to ask him to rejoin?

Mustaine: "We were at the NAMM show, and Dean [guitars] had a party and asked if I would play, and I never do those things. So I said, 'Well, I'll think about it,' and then I went home, because I wanted to surprise them by coming back later. But everybody thought I wasn't gonna play, so they all kind of f---ed off. And once I did say, 'Oh, yeah, I'm playing,' they were scrambling around going, 'Oh, my God, what are we gonna do now?' So I kind of shot myself in the foot with that one.

We couldn't find [bassist] James [LoMenzo] or [guitarist] Chris [Broderick], and we were trying to find a bass player. James finally showed up, but my guitar tech approached David Ellefson, and he said yeah, he would love to do it. So that really opened the door. And since I had still looked at Dave with respect and appreciation for what he'd done for me and Megadeth and our fans all around the world, and I still had tremendous respect for his talent, it made the decision pretty easy.

So a couple days ago I asked him to come back. Now, I know a lot of haters are gonna say, 'How could [Ellefson] do that?' But anybody that really sees how hard I'm trying to live my life differently right now - and I'm really trying hard - this is just another one of the little things that you get. It's a perk for me to have one of my best friends back."

"It is I - Turkey Volume Guessing Man!" - Crow from MST3K

"Military Intelligence - Two Words Combined That Can't Make Sense." - Hangar 18

Good for him. I am glad he is genuinely trying to turn his life around.

Jeremy Smirnoff
drums, percussion
http://www.facebook.com/jeremy.smirnoff

KirksNoseHair

BrickGlass


This is some great news for sure. I love Ellefson. Fingers crossed for a return of Freidman at some point.

GIGANTIC +1 to the return of Freidman.  Easily my favorite era of Megadeth.

I love u guys! But you are out of your freaking minds..
Chris Broderick is an absolute beast, and Marty Friedman is so
washed up (and not to mention overrated by Meg fans).. I mean,
I'm all for nostalgia, but you're jumping the gun here.. to lose
Broderick for a guy like Friedman just because he is a familiar name
would be downright stupid.  I hope Broderick lasts for the duration of Megadeth.

astrotrain_jlr

KirksNoseHair

BrickGlass


This is some great news for sure. I love Ellefson. Fingers crossed for a return of Freidman at some point.

GIGANTIC +1 to the return of Freidman.  Easily my favorite era of Megadeth.

I love u guys! But you are out of your freaking minds..
Chris Broderick is an absolute beast, and Marty Friedman is so
washed up (and not to mention overrated by Meg fans).. I mean,
I'm all for nostalgia, but you're jumping the gun here.. to lose
Broderick for a guy like Friedman just because he is a familiar name
would be downright stupid.  I hope Broderick lasts for the duration of Megadeth.

Thank you, sir. I've been saying this for the 10 years since Marty quit Megadeth, and looking at Marty's career since then...honestly, a guy who is more into playing Japanese Pop and quit Megadeth for feeling musically stifled obviously is never going to feel fulfilled within the confines of that band, period. Even when I saw them on the Cryptic Writings tour up here in Alaska, the dude just seemed like he was going through the motions. The next time I saw them, two and a half years later, they had Al Pitrelli in the band and he seemed a hell of a lot more passionate about playing that music than Marty did near the end of his tenure (and, for that matter, so did Glen Drover 7 years after that!!!!). I'd rather have someone who is excited to be in the band and playing that music than someone who is there for name recognition who doesn't give a fuck anymore.

Knowledge without mileage equals bullshit. - Henry Rollins

astrotrain_jlr

KirksNoseHair

BrickGlass


This is some great news for sure. I love Ellefson. Fingers crossed for a return of Freidman at some point.

GIGANTIC +1 to the return of Freidman.  Easily my favorite era of Megadeth.

I love u guys! But you are out of your freaking minds..
Chris Broderick is an absolute beast, and Marty Friedman is so
washed up (and not to mention overrated by Meg fans).. I mean,
I'm all for nostalgia, but you're jumping the gun here.. to lose
Broderick for a guy like Friedman just because he is a familiar name
would be downright stupid.  I hope Broderick lasts for the duration of Megadeth.

+1

I dunno how he'll work out longterm, but anyone who doubts Chris Broderick's skills as a guitarist should check out his work with Jag Panzer, particularly on the album Mechanized Warfare. That guy is unreal.

Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.

Totally agreed on the Marty situation. That ship has sailed.

I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789

I am on board the keep Chris Broderick ship. He's a fucking beast on the fret board.

I make the devil laugh and angels wail.  Forever I will reside beyond the pale.

David Ellefson returns to Megadeth...
... now the question is: Is Mustaine staying?

Warning: Alcohol before the pregnancy may cause the pregnancy.

I wouldn't worry about Mustaine. Whatever peoples' opinions of him are, one thing can be said about the man with very little fear of rebuke: he is, first and foremost, an incredible survivor. As long as there is a Megadeth, so will you find a Dave Mustaine.

Like James Hetfield said in the Behind the Music, "He's got a horseshoe up his ass for sure."

Knowledge without mileage equals bullshit. - Henry Rollins