In a candid interview with Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, now a member of Metal Church, offered his perspective on his past with the iconic thrash metal band, his current musical endeavors, and the ongoing discussions surrounding MEGADETH’s potential farewell tour. Ellefson’s statements provide a nuanced look at his relationship with his former bandmates and his evolving role in the metal scene.
A Founder’s Perspective on MEGADETH’s Future
When questioned about his plans for the upcoming Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, specifically whether he would attend MEGADETH’s set, Ellefson expressed a sense of detachment, stating, "Look, to me, I don’t care anymore. I haven’t been in MEGADETH now in five years. I’ve done so much more. My musical palette is wide, it’s full. I’ve got a whole new friend group and buddy group and I’m in a new tribe." He emphasized that the current iteration of MEGADETH is no longer "his" band, acknowledging it as Dave Mustaine’s project. "That group, as it sits now, is not my MEGADETH. So, to me, it’s Dave’s [Mustaine] band, and he’s doing his thing. And like I always said five years ago, I wish you well."
Ellefson’s remarks highlight a significant shift in his identity and musical focus since his departure from MEGADETH in 2021. His involvement with Metal Church and prior projects like Kings of Thrash, where he performs early MEGADETH material, demonstrate a desire to explore different facets of his musical legacy. He sees no conflict in fans appreciating both his current work and MEGADETH’s ongoing output, stating, "So there can be both. So you don’t have to hate one in order to love the other. I never understood that. I have METALLICA and MEGADETH records… And I was in MEGADETH. So, for me, why not? Why not have all of it?"
The Genesis of MEGADETH and the Importance of Legacy
Reflecting on his foundational role in MEGADETH, Ellefson underscored his co-founding status with early guitarist Greg Handevidt. He revealed on his podcast, "The David Ellefson Show," that he invited Handevidt to share their story, aiming to provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted account of the band’s origins. This initiative speaks to Ellefson’s belief in the importance of historical accuracy and honoring the contributions of all involved in shaping a band’s legacy. He views this process as akin to a documentary, where multiple perspectives contribute to a richer, more complete narrative.
"I’m grateful for my time there," Ellefson stated. "The band wouldn’t have happened without me. I’m a founder of it. I helped start it, me and my friend Greg [Handevidt]." His participation in Kings of Thrash, performing classic MEGADETH tracks, has been met with enthusiastic fan reception, reinforcing his belief that different eras and interpretations of a band’s music can coexist and be celebrated.
Openness to Reunion and the "Puppet Show" Concern
Ellefson has consistently expressed an openness to participating in a MEGADETH farewell, even suggesting a broader reunion of past members. In a July 2023 interview on SiriusXM’s "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk," he reiterated this sentiment, referencing past attempts to reunite the band. He recalled discussions in 2004 and again in 2014-2015 regarding a potential "Rust In Peace" reunion, which ultimately did not materialize.
"I never closed that door to that thing… When Dave put the group back together, when he said he wanted to work again in 2004, I said the same thing," Ellefson explained. He proposed involving other key former members like Jeff Young, Chris Poland, Nick Menza, and Marty Friedman, drawing parallels to successful multi-band tours by groups like Asia and Yes. Ellefson believes such a collaborative farewell would resonate deeply with fans, acknowledging that every lineup of MEGADETH has cultivated its own dedicated fanbase.
However, Dave Mustaine has publicly dismissed the idea of a large-scale reunion, referring to it as a "puppet show MEGADETH." In a Guitar World interview, Mustaine stated, "We’ve already done that with Marty. And I mean, let’s look at the other people we’ve played with… there’s a lot of people. That would be a huge undertaking. I don’t think I want to do that. I’d rather keep doing what we’re doing and let the fans [experience] MEGADETH music and be happy about it."
Navigating Relationships and Musical Evolution
Ellefson maintains amicable relationships with current MEGADETH members, including bassist James LoMenzo. "I am, yeah," he responded when asked about his friendship with LoMenzo. "Look, I have no ill will toward anybody who’s performing with Dave right now. Look, they’re certainly capable musicians. They seem like they’re a decent guy." He acknowledged his own role in bringing current drummer Dirk Verbeuren into the band in 2016, following Chris Adler’s departure.
Despite these cordial relationships, Ellefson maintains that the sound and feel of MEGADETH have evolved significantly since his departure. "To me, it just sounds different. When it’s me and Dave, that is a version of MEGADETH – it’s the O.G. version from the ’80s through the ’90s, and then revisited again in – what? – 2010 through 2021. There’s just a different sound to it." He humorously added that he still receives royalties, indicating a continued financial connection to the band’s legacy.
The Concept of a "Farewell" in the Music Industry
Ellefson has repeatedly discussed the notion of a farewell tour, drawing comparisons to other prominent bands. He cited Black Sabbath’s "The End" tour and their "Back to the Beginning" event in Birmingham as a model for a dignified and inclusive send-off. "What we saw in Birmingham, in my opinion, was 100% on point the right way to say goodbye," he remarked in a February 2026 interview with Argentina’s UnDinamo – La Última Radio De Rock. "You bring back the O.G.s – Geezer, Tony, Bill and Ozzy; the four O.G.s – ’cause, obviously, they went through their… Look, they fired Bill, they fired Ozzy, and at some point they’re back together. The four guys that started it all get to say goodbye together, to each other, to the fans, the fans say goodbye to them."
He expressed a desire for a similar opportunity for MEGADETH’s extended family, including former members, to bid farewell to the fans and the band’s legacy. "I think when you’re doing a farewell, that’s important, that you get to say goodbye and everybody gets to say goodbye to you," Ellefson stated. He also cautioned against the commercialization of farewell tours, suggesting they can sometimes be used as a marketing tactic rather than a genuine conclusion. "If it really is a farewell, if it really is, and it’s not just an attempt to boost ticket sales, ’cause we’ve seen this movie before," he added.
Mustaine’s Stance and Ellefson’s Departure
Dave Mustaine has been clear about his intentions regarding former members participating in the farewell tour. When asked by Guitar World about plans to invite past members, he stated, "We’ve already done that with Marty… I don’t think I want to do that." Furthermore, in a December 2025 interview on "Trunk Nation," Mustaine alluded to past behavioral issues as a reason for not including certain former members. "Well, I can’t really do that, because of the behavior of one of the bandmembers in the past. I just can’t – I can’t." He also emphasized fairness to the current band members.
Ellefson’s departure from MEGADETH in May 2021 followed the circulation of sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving him. He has stated that he communicated to the band during the firing process that the situation was unnecessary and could have been handled differently. "It’s unfortunate that things landed between me and Dave where they did, because as I said right from the beginning, they didn’t have to," Ellefson commented. "And I made it very clear on the phone call when they were firing me that they didn’t have to do that. It was unnecessary."
He also reflected on the internal dynamics of MEGADETH, describing it as a "Mustaine family-run business" after his return in 2010. Ellefson noted that creative collaboration, which was once a hallmark of the band, became less prominent. "When I came back to the band, it was not – it was Dave. And I kind of became the good friend to Dave. I knew him and he knew me in a way that no one else could." He recounted Mustaine asking him to write for the "Th1rt3en" album, to which Ellefson responded, "You know what? No. Why don’t you write the songs? I’ll play bass for you. Let’s just keep it clean. Keep it simple. Let’s not even blur the lines." This decision was a conscious effort to maintain clarity and avoid potential conflicts regarding creative input and credit.
The Legal and Financial Landscape
Ellefson’s history with MEGADETH includes a significant legal dispute in 2004 over alleged unpaid royalties, which was dismissed. He rejoined the band in 2010. He has spoken about how financial arrangements changed after 2004, impacting his feelings about the band’s structure. "There’s a weird thing in bands that how things are financially split… If you’re a founding member of a band, to some degree you should be entitled to a piece of every everything and all of it, basically, ’cause it wouldn’t exist if you weren’t there," he argued.
He acknowledged the challenging nature of the legal process but stated it ultimately landed "much better" for him financially, allowing him to receive direct payment for his contributions. "It’s not a fun process – I didn’t sleep for nine months because of it – but that’s when I had my little band F5 and I was trying to at least kind of keep my nose creatively involved in some stuff."
A Legacy of Resentment and Resilience
Ellefson posited that MEGADETH’s origins were partly fueled by Mustaine’s resentment towards Metallica, though he tempered this by emphasizing Mustaine’s independent artistic vision. "This band started with a resentment. It started with a ‘fuck you’, Dave’s sort of revenge against Metallica. And it wasn’t entirely that," Ellefson explained. "To some degree, Dave was his own artist away from METALLICA. He had ‘Mechanix’ and some songs before METALLICA, and he certainly wrote songs after."
He continued to express his desire for a dignified conclusion to the MEGADETH chapter, emphasizing the importance of fan appreciation and the collective journey of the band members. "If you’re done, this is it, you wanna go do something else with your life, spend time with your family, just not play guitar, I get it," Ellefson said, referring to Mustaine’s potential retirement. "So, look, God bless you, brother. If you’re done, this is it… Put it away with grace and go enjoy the rest of your life."
The conversation surrounding a potential MEGADETH farewell tour continues to be a topic of considerable interest within the metal community. David Ellefson’s reflections offer a unique insight into the complex history, enduring legacy, and evolving relationships that define one of thrash metal’s most influential bands. His current focus on Metal Church and other projects underscores his continued dedication to creating new music and engaging with fans on his own terms, while his willingness to revisit the MEGADETH narrative highlights the enduring impact of his foundational contributions.
