Band: Megadeth
Megadeth set the standard for technical thrash excellence almost from the outset. Formed by Mustaine after he was fired from Metallica, an embryonic version of the line-up also featured Slayer's Kerry King for a short time before jazz musicians Poland and Samuelson were drafted into the line-up. The first two albums certainly lived up to the reputation that had preceded the band due to Mustaine's pedigree, but hideous drug problems plagued them and entire recording budgets were blown on massive binges. Line-ups came and went practically at the whim of Mustaine but by 1990 the band was solid and sober enough to create Rust in Peace, arguably one of the finest metal albums of all time. Megadeth conceivably peaked at this point. Record company pressure to produce a hit album caused their output to become increasingly bland and uninspired and by the release of Risk Megadeth had been reduced to a radio singles band. Gar Samuelson formed Fatal Opera and died of liver failure on August 14, 1999.
A change of label in 2000 seemed to breathe an element of life back into Megadeth and the resultant album displayed vestiges of earlier glories but a short time later Mustaine announced he was quitting the band due to an arm injury that restricted his playing. Megadeth ceased to be at that point; some two years later however, Mustaine began work on solo material that has since led to the revival of the band, although not without some controversy as Ellefson launched a massive law suit alleging contract breaches and loss of earnings, among other complaints. All was settled in early 2010, when Ellefson rejoined Megadeth.
Current (or Last Known) Lineup
Musician | Instruments | Currently Also In | Used To Be In | Guest Appearances |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Broderick | Guitar | Jag Panzer, Nevermore | Warrel Dane | |
Shawn Drover | Drums | Eidolon | ||
David Ellefson | Bass | Avian, F5 | Tim "Ripper" Owens | |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar | M.D.45, Metallica | Diamond Head |
Past Lineup (Members Who Never Appeared on an Album)
Musician | Instruments | Currently Also In | Used To Be In |
---|---|---|---|
Dijon Carruthers | Drums | ||
Gregory L. Handevidt | Guitar | Kublai Khan | |
Kerry King | Guitar | Slayer | |
James MacDonough | Bass | Iced Earth, Oracle | |
Lee Rausch | Drums | ||
Jay Reynolds | Guitar | Malice | Metal Church |
Discography (35 Releases)
2011 - TH1RT3EN by Megadeth
Chris Broderick | Guitar |
Shawn Drover | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
2009 - Endgame by Megadeth
Chris Broderick | Guitar |
Shawn Drover | Drums |
James Lomenzo | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
2008 - Anthology: Set the World Afire (comp) by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums |
Jeff Young | Guitar |
2007 - United Abominations by Megadeth
Glen Drover | Guitar |
Shawn Drover | Drums |
James Lomenzo | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
2007 - That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (live) by Megadeth
Glen Drover | Guitar |
Shawn Drover | Drums |
James Lomenzo | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
2007 - Warchest (boxset) by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums |
Jimmy Sloas | Bass |
Jeff Young | Guitar |
2005 - Greatest Hits - Back to the Start (comp) by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums |
Jeff Young | Guitar |
2004 - The System Has Failed by Megadeth
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Jimmy Sloas | Bass |
2002 - Still, Alive...And Well? (Comp.) by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
2002 - Rude Awakening (Live) by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
2001 - The World Needs A Hero by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
2001 - Moto Psycho (single) by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
2000 - Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Al Pitrelli | Guitar |
Jimmie Wood | Harmonica |
1999 - Risk by Megadeth
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1997 - Cryptic Writings by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1997 - Trust (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1995 - A Tout le Monde (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1995 - Hidden Treasures by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1994 - Youthanasia by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Jimmie Wood | Harmonica |
1994 - Train of Consequences (EP) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1993 - Sweating Bullets (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1993 - Skin o' My Teeth (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1992 - Foreclosure of a Dream (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1992 - Countdown To Extinction by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1992 - Symphony of Destruction (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1991 - Hangar 18 (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1990 - Rust In Peace by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1990 - Holy Wars... the Punishment Due (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Marty Friedman | Guitar |
Nick Menza | Drums |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
1990 - No More Mr. Nice Guy (single) by Megadeth
1988 - Mary Jane (single) by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Jeff Young | Guitar |
1988 - Anarchy in the UK (single) by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Jeff Young | Vocals, Guitar |
1988 - So Far So Good...So What by Megadeth
Chuck Behler | Drums |
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Jeff Young | Guitar |
1986 - Wake Up Dead (single) by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums |
1986 - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums |
1985 - Killing Is My Business And Business Is Good by Megadeth
David Ellefson | Bass |
Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
Chris Poland | Guitar |
Gar Samuelson | Drums, Timpani |