MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE, Son JUSTIS Slam HAVOK Over Management Contract Dispute

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine and his son Justis have fired back at HAVOK for the Denver act's claim that the band was kicked off MEGADETH's upcoming tour after HAVOK refused to sign "an unacceptable management contract" from Mustaine Management.

HAVOK guitarist/vocalist David Sanchez released a statement on Wednesday in which he claimed that "Mr. Mustaine has chosen to remove us" from the MEGADETH tour after HAVOK declined to sign a management contract with Justis's company.

This version of events was almost immediately disputed by Dave Mustaine, who wrote in a series of tweets that HAVOK was offered "an industry standard contract: the same I have. Five months later, [they] still wouldn't sign it until they're dropped." He added that HAVOK "stiffed Justis for thousands of dollars" and accused the band of not "pay[ing] their bills." He wrote: "Ask the merch co. we got them what it was like getting paid."

Justis also chimed in via his personal Facebook page, explaining: "I worked with HAVOK for one year. Despite getting HAVOK paid, marketed and exposed in that time — bringing them a new merch deal, booking agent, and overseeing what has clearly been their biggest year yet — I was compensated poorly for my work. I finally put a contract in front of them, which would secure me 15% of income (the industry standard). They refused to agree, so I dropped them.

"I wish HAVOK all the best in their efforts to be a professional band, but as evidenced by [Wednesday's] gossip mongering, they've still got a long way to go.

"Great music, great band!"

HAVOK was replaced on MEGADETH's tour by LILLAKE, the new band featuring former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES guitarist Nico Santora. Also appearing on the bill are AMON AMARTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and METAL CHURCH. The trek will kick off in Casper, Wyoming on September 20 and will take them across the U.S., visiting 16 states.