Dave Mustaine, the iconic leader, guitarist, and vocalist of Megadeth, has a storied history with Metallica. From 1981 to 1983, he was a crucial member of the band, significantly contributing to the development of their signature sound. However, Mustaine’s tenure with Metallica was marked by turbulence, leading to his eventual departure and replacement by Kirk Hammett. In this article, we delve into Mustaine’s first impression of James Hetfield’s guitar prowess, shedding light on an intriguing chapter in the world of heavy metal.
In a candid interview with Metal Hammer, Dave Mustaine reminisced about the early days in Metallica and his reaction upon witnessing James Hetfield‘s guitar playing for the first time. Mustaine recalled, “When I was in Metallica, I was kind of playing at Lars’s level, because Lars was still learning to play drums back then. But watching James play guitar for the first time was kind of shocking, because I didn’t know he knew how to play guitar. We just got fed up one day of auditioning guitar players, just like I did with singers.”
Mustaine continued, his admiration evident, “And he picked up this guitar and started playing, and inside I’m going, ‘Get the **** out of here. How can you possibly be satisfied being a singer when you play like that? Why not be both?’ I’ve always thought he was a really talented guitarist,”
Upon departing from Metallica, Dave Mustaine embarked on a new journey by forming Megadeth. In his new role as both a singer and guitarist, Mustaine couldn’t always take the lead guitar position as he did in Metallica. This shift compelled him to focus more on rhythm guitar parts. Over the years, these changes in Mustaine’s musical identity led to inevitable comparisons with James Hetfield, Metallica’s esteemed vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
Following his abrupt dismissal from Metallica just before the recording of their debut album, Mustaine’s relationship with Hetfield became strained. The dynamics of the music industry and creative differences often result in such rifts among talented individuals. However, despite the disagreements and challenges, both Mustaine and Hetfield went on to achieve remarkable success in their respective musical careers.
Dave Mustaine’s early days with Metallica were filled with musical exploration, creative clashes, and profound revelations. His reaction to James Hetfield’s guitar prowess serves as a testament to the immense talent that existed within the band. While their paths diverged, both Mustaine and Hetfield found their own unique paths to success, leaving an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal.
In the annals of rock history, the story of Dave Mustaine’s time with Metallica and his journey with Megadeth remains a captivating tale of resilience, artistic evolution, and the enduring power of music.