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Megadeth: “This new line-up has a really cool, honest and organic feel to it.”

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Interview by Steven Jenkins

Thrash legends and veterans of the heavy music universe Megadeth, have arrived in Australia for the first time since 2010, after a couple of unavoidable delays. Famous frontman Dave Mustaine and his group are finally here and they’ve brought Finnish melodic death metallers Children Of Bodom along for the ride. A legend in his own right, Mustaine couldn’t be happier about the bands long awaited return as he explains.

“Everything is great, life has its ups and downs but when you put things into perspective and you realise how hard people really have it, you can’t complain. I’m really grateful to have this job, I get to take my music no matter how important or insignificant it is and I get to share it with people of all different walks of life. It’s pretty cool.”

Megadeth are set to release their 15th studio album Dystopia early next year, which has fans truly excited. We’ve already heard a little taste, with the single Fatal Illusion receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. The new album features Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler and Kiko Loureiro, guitarist of Brazilian metal band Angra.

“I’m so happy with it, brother. It reminds me of when we recorded Peace Sells… because it has that excitement. There are some songs on there that are melodic; I think that when you learn how to play heavy metal and bring melody to it then that’s a huge accomplishment. Most guys, when they play metal, they’ve got a really fast right hand but their left hand isn’t really that melodic. Once you’ve found the secret on how to write melody with metal well, then you’ve got it. This new line-up has a really cool, honest and organic feel to it.

“It’s easy to say that it’s going to be heavier than Super Collider was; I’ve always made whatever I’m singing or writing about musically as an example of what I’m going through personally. I lost my mother-in-law to Alzheimer’s last year and just because a person died in October when the record was done doesn’t mean she wasn’t slowly dying for many, many months before that. I haven’t had a lot of people close to me die. I’ve known a lot them but nothing as personal as inside my family. So when she died, that really f*cked my head up, which led to the songs being dark, somber and melancholy.”

The title of the new album suggests an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. Dave mentions how the approach was to Dystopia and what it means to him.

“I’ve had this outlook for a long time that the world is a really good place with some bad people in it. Others might think the opposite. But I think if you were to take a consensus of people, they know the difference between right and wrong. People have manners and morals but lately there’s been a decline in how people treat one another. That’s where Dystopia comes in, and if people don’t start loving each other and helping those in need then when that becomes more important than power, fame or money then I think we’re going to be okay.”

The tour kicks off in Perth with Children Of Bodom who were hand picked by Dave himself. Playing shows all over the world, would there be anything special about playing to an Australian audience compared to anywhere else? Mustaine seems to think so.

“I don’t tend to choose a certain city over the other. Instead, I think it’s the people that make it different. When you’re in a place where you have differences and dynamics in how fans react differently to your music. Like how Japan is very quiet and disciplined, here in Australia you guys are a super metal country and the fans know how to have a good time. I love the way things are done in Australia, there’s a difference in the way people think and how things are run. It’s very appealing.”

“It’s very exciting and I urge everyone to come and witness us kick your ass, very politely of course. As we continue to play together, we’re going to become much tighter. We’ve got a big set-list of 17 songs for you, so hopefully we fulfill our fans expectations.”

Megadeth Tour Dates with Children Of Bodom

Presented by HEAVY Music Magazine

PERTH – Friday 16th October – Metro City

SYDNEY – Sunday 18th October – Hordern Pavilion

MELBOURNE – Monday 19th October – Festival Hall

BRISBANE – Wednesday 21st October – Eatons Hill

For tour details and ticket information, visit this link.

Tickets $95 (inc. booking fees) + cc fees

 

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