Megadeth parted ways with former bassist David Ellefson last year after news broke of his alleged involvement in an explicit video chat with a 19-year-old female fan. Ellefson had completed the bass tracks on Megadeth’s forthcoming album, “The Sick, The Dying, And The Dead,” prior to his dismissal, but it was announced shortly after by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine that Ellefson’s tracks would not be used.
Fans had speculated who would replace Ellefson for the recording, and Mustaine confirmed in an interview with Jose Mangin of SiriusXM Liquid Metal that the recording job went to Testament bassist Steve DiGiorgio.
On tour, however, Mustaine confirmed that former bassist James LoMenzo would play bass for the band for its summer tour. On Tuesday, Megadeth announced that LoMenzo would return to the band permanently. Dave Mustaine said in an Instagram post: “I am thrilled to welcome back James to the Megadeth family. James rejoined the fold as the touring bassist and it’s been a blast having him back, we thought let’s make it permanent.” LoMenzo himself added: “I’m so excited to rejoin Megadeth and move forward full steam into the next phase of this iconic band’s history! With Dave, Kiko and Dirk there’s no stopping us! It just feels great to be home again.”
LoMenzo has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Zack Wylde, White Lion and John Fogerty. He previously played with Megadeth from 2006 to 2010 and appeared on two studio albums, “United Abominations” and “Endgame.” Megadeth is currently on tour in North American with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames for “The Metal Tour Of The Year,” and the band’s forthcoming album, “The Sick, The Dying, And The Dead,” is due on July 8. The follow-up to 2016’s “Dystopia” features two cover songs — Dead Kennedy’s “Police Truck” and Sammy Hagar’s “This Planet’s On Fire.” The latter features vocals from Hagar himself.
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