The final self-titled MEGADETH album will include a surprising addition to the track list — a cover of the classic METALLICA song that Dave Mustaine co-wrote, “Ride the Lightning”. This is a way to close the circle for frontman Dave Mustaine, who co-founded Metallica before forming Megadeth in 1983.
Mustaine was ousted from METALLICA in 1983, a few months before the release of their debut album “Kill ‘Em All”. Before he was fired, he’d written a handful of songs that appear on the album and on its successor “Ride the Lightning”.
Mustaine spoke to Rolling Stone about his decision to include “Ride the Lightning” on MEGADETH’s final record.
“It wasn’t really that I wanted to do my version. I think that we all wanted it to turn out a certain way and for me, this was about something so much more than how a song turns out. It was about respect.”
“It’s a song that’s always had a special place in my history,” says Mustaine. “Recording it now feels like closing a chapter — a nod to the past, but with that unmistakable MEGADETH energy.”
Mustaine makes it clear that this song is not about renewing old friendships. “I think the whole purpose of this was not to try and rekindle relationships or anything. It was about showing respect to a man that… I don’t believe he thinks I respect him and I wanted to make that clear.”
“I wanted to pay tribute to the band,” he adds. “And just now that I’m getting ready to hang my guitar up, I wanted to make sure that nothing is left unsaid.”
