Megadeth · Daily Hub

About

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—along with Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica—and is credited with helping to develop and popularize the genre. Their music features intricate arrangements, fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes such as war, conflicts, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships.

In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Combat Records selling their contract to Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including So Far, So Good... So What! (1988), Rust in Peace (1990), Countdown to Extinction (1992), and Youthanasia (1994). These albums, along with worldwide tours, brought them public recognition. Megadeth's most recent (and final) studio album, Megadeth, was released in 2026 and became their first to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. Mustaine announced that, after the album's supporting tour concludes, Megadeth will disband.
Megadeth has undergone frequent lineup changes throughout its 43-year career, with Mustaine being the sole consistent member of the band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megadeth's current lineup includes Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
Megadeth earned platinum certifications in the United States for five of its seventeen studio albums, and has received twelve Grammy nominations. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category. The band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, regularly appears on album artwork and live shows. Megadeth hosted their own music festival, Gigantour, several times from July 2005 to August 2013, and held its first MegaCruise in October 2019.

From Megadeth on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Members

Dave Mustaine 1983–now · original member electric guitar, lead vocals
James LoMenzo 2006–2010, 2022–now background vocals, electric bass guitar
Dirk Verbeuren 2016–now drums (drum set)
Teemu Mäntysaari 2023–now electric guitar
Dijon Carruthers 1983–1983 · former drums (drum set), percussion
Kerry King 1983–1983 · former background vocals, guitar
Greg Handevidt 1983–1984 · former guitar
David Ellefson 1983–2002, 2010–2021 · original member · former background vocals, electric bass guitar
Lee Rausch 1984–1984 · former drums (drum set)
Gar Samuelson 1984–1987 · former drums (drum set)
Chris Poland 1984–1987, 2004–2004 · former background vocals, guitar
Jay Reynolds 1987–1987 · former guitar
Chuck Behler 1987–1988 · former drums (drum set)
Jeff Young 1987–1988 · former background vocals, guitar
Nick Menza 1989–1998, 2004–2004 · former drums (drum set)
Marty Friedman 1990–1999 · former background vocals, guitar
Jimmy DeGrasso 1998–2002 · former drums (drum set)
Al Pitrelli 2000–2002 · former background vocals, electric guitar
Jimmie Lee Sloas 2004–2004 · former bass guitar
James MacDonough 2004–2006 · former background vocals, bass guitar
Glen Drover 2004–2008 · former background vocals, electric guitar
Shawn Drover 2004–2014 · former drums (drum set), percussion
Chris Broderick 2008–2014 · former background vocals, guitar
Kiko Loureiro 2015–2023 · former electric guitar