Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine has frequently made headlines this year with comments about his former band, Metallica. Mustaine wondered what Metallica were afraid of when it came to taking Megadeth on tour, and he also lobbed a surprising accusation at his former bandmates saying they tried to hinder his success.
In a new interview with Guitar World, Mustaine again shared his feelings on Metallica but this time was more positive. He even praised his replacement, Kirk Hammett.
“No, I have not heard Metallica’s latest record,” Mustaine said. “But there was a time around 20 years ago when we were not being friendly toward each other when I couldn’t listen to their music when it came on the radio. But none of that bothers me anymore, and it’s not why I haven’t heard the record, especially after the Big Four thing that we did. I really think we should do that again.”
Mustaine was also asked about the flak Hammett has been taking for his solos on the band’s latest record, “72 Seasons.”
“It depends on which solos you’re talking about,” Mustaine said laughing.
“Jokes aside, I’ve always kind of poked fun at Kirk. And unfairly so, as he never did anything to me. Whenever I felt singled out, picked on, or antagonized by James or Lars, it was really easy to pick on Kirk. But the truth is Kirk did me an honor by trying to play my solos on those early songs the way he did… Well, I think that some people would have just started over again. So, I thought it was honorable that Kirk took my solos and did his best to play them as I did. That couldn’t have been easy. But as far as his new solos on the new Metallica album, I haven’t heard them, so I can’t comment. But I will say that I think it’s sad how quickly some people can turn on people.”
“There was a time when Kirk won every guitar contest in the world, and I don’t think he’s gotten any better or worse as a player. He’s always been really good. Kirk was a good player when he was in Exodus. And he’s been steady the entire time he’s been in Metallica. But does that mean Kirk Hammett is Dave Mustaine? No. And is Dave Mustaine Kirk Hammett? Also, no.”
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