From the Vaults E06: Megadeath

It’s hard to believe but this interview with Dave Ellefson of Megadeath took place over 20 years ago. I had previously interviewed Dave and his then bandmate, Marty Friedman, for a show on Cable 14 called, “Entertainment Spotlight.” They had just released their sixth studio album called “Youthanasia,” recorded with producer Max Norman in a portable studio in Phoenix, Arizona, where three of the band members resided. I started off this interview asking Dave if he had read Darwin’s “Origin of the Species’ specifically, as it was a reference to the interview I had done a few months earlier. Listening to the interview now, it may seem strange taken out of context.

As pioneers of the American thrash metal scene, Along with Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer, Megadeth are cited as one of the ‘big four’ in the genre’s development and popularization. Fast forward 20+ years, and the band has made an indelible mark on music, having sold over 38 million records worldwide.

If I could interview Dave, once again, I’d ask so many different questions about the band, their history and influence on a genre that has been misinterpreted, maligned and misunderstood over the years. Enjoy!