Guide Note

Megadeth's creation was set in motion when guitarist Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metalica in 1983 and replaced by Kirk Hammett. In an effort to spite his former bandmates, Mustaine decided to start a new band that would be heavier, louder, and faster than Metallica. Megadeth was the result, and consequently Mustaine and company became some of the early pioneers of thrash metal.

In the mid-'80s, Megadeth signed to Capitol Records where they would release several popular metal albums, including the Grammy-nominated million seller Rust In Peace in 1990 and Countdown to Extinction in 1992.

In 2002, Mustaine suffered an injury to his arm while at a rehabilitation center in Texas and was unable to play guitar for almost a year. Shortly after his recovery, he became a born again Christian and retired certain songs in the Megadeth catalog from being played live due to their lyrical content.

Fast Facts

1. Formed in 1983
2. Studio albums: 11
3. Megadeth founder and frontman, Dave Mustaine, was once a member of Metallica
4. Megadeth has had 18 official members - Dave Mustaine remaining the main songwriter and sole original member