David Ellefson Says Megadeth Album Is Just Dave Mustaine's Solo Project

JAKARTA - Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has lashed out at his former band's last studio album.

Ellefson judged the latest work of the American thrash metal giant to sound more like Dave Mustaine's solo project than an album produced by the band.

According to his subjective view of the direction of Megadeth's music today. He feels that the compatibility that is the band's hallmark has been lost along with the massive personnel changes.

"I heard it and I was like, 'Okay, this is Dave's solo record.' It's Dave with his new band, Dave with his new people," Ellefson said, quoted by Consequence, Monday, February 9.

Ellefson added that the use of the big name Megadeth was able to attract the attention of the public at large. However, musically, he felt that something was not in line with the original identity of the band which was founded in 1983.

"It does say Megadeth, so obviously it gets all the attention, but realistically, I hear it and to me it doesn't sound like Megadeth," the bassist said.

"That's just my opinion, point. It's like Dave doing what Dave does, but with a different bunch of people in a new era. And this is Dave's retirement," he added.

On the other hand, Dave Mustaine remains firm with the current formation which is led by James LoMenzo (bass), Dirk Verbeuren (drums), and Teemu Mäntysaari (guitar).

Responding to their farewell tour plans, Mustaine insisted that he would not invite former band members who often launched negative criticism of him in the media.

"There are some people who say bad things about me in the media. So why would I want to play with those people? If something doesn't end well, why should I do it?" said the Megadeth frontman.

"There is no legitimate reason to do something like that, especially when we have limited time on stage," he said.

Megadeth's last album includes songs like "Tipping Point", "I Don't Care", and "Let There Be Shred". Although Ellefson felt it was a solo project, Mustaine was optimistic that this work would spark a resurgence of the thrash metal genre in the future.