MEGADETH Mainman Says New Material Sounds 'Kewl'

MEGADETH is in the early stages of the songwriting process for the band's new album, which is tentatively expected sometime next year via Roadrunner Records. The CD is once again being helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy "Undie" Sneap, who produced MEGADETH's last album, "United Abominations" (May 2007, Roadrunner Records).

MEGADETH's forthcoming LP will be the group's first with guitarist Chris Broderick, who replaced Glen Drover at the end of last year.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update via the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who choose to celebrate Thanksgiving on this day. Today's update is kinda wrapping up the whole week, instead of just any given day.

"Andy Sneap has gone back to the UK, and Shawn Drover [drums] has gone back to the land of mosquitoes in Georgia. I am here at home in San Diego, like James [Lomenzo, bass] is too, and Chris is up the freeway two hours in L.A. Our last full day together was Tuesday, and we got a lot of ground covered.

"I know that there was probably some wonder of how I was going to come up with these songs, but I have never wondered, and the songs I have heard so far are kewl to me, and we keep making little slight adjustments which improve the song most of the time. I also have just enough humility to know when a change has not made a song better, and to go with what is best for the song.

"Of the four songs we have demoed up (without lyrics),there are fast and slow elements in each song. I am OK with the way that the parts are shaping up, and since the finished project is always better than the drawing board, I am just going to relax and sit back and watch how things unfold themselves. It gets too overwhelming with all of the complaints on how to make the next record and what I am doing wrong, and how we are too this or too that to matter to metal fans, and I just shake my head and laugh.

"In the studio, I love how when I am talking about a drum part needing a double-bass part or a real frantic drum performance, that Shawn keeps going, 'I know what he wants!' and then he runs out to the live room and does it. What a luxury to have him sitting there, and have him help feel the little nuances and make them standout! I knew this was going to be a much better recording when we started it. It is not going to be a speed metal/thrash metal record from 1980's or 1990's. It is almost 2010 and I am happy with my playing, especially since at one time I couldn't play anymore.

"So, I have a lot to be grateful for. Yeah, it gets disappointing to read the posts that are constantly bagging on me, MEGADETH, my music, or just anything that has to do with my life, and I know that there are a lot of people here that see this too, and disagree. I just ask that you remember, in order to not be perceived as unfair, we allow a certain level of counter-MEGADETH opinions to be post here; it's just that sometimes people go too far.

"Take this new record. Half of the complaints come from people who can't play an instrument and have no idea how hard these parts really are, because they are not what they seem to the human ear, and how they are actually played. Ask any of the guitar heroes that have played in MEGADETH and they will tell you that it is a lot harder than it looks. And besides, who in their right mind would let a complaining fan change the way that music is expressed from your very soul. This isn't just making stuff up for the money. I actually really love to play and be in front of you an entertain you. Plus, it is outright stoopid to think after complete loss of use of my left arm that there wouldn't be some residual affect from the nerve damage and some speed, dexterity, and ability sacrificed when the accident occurred. I mean, I see some guys get hurt and can't play, and people want to have 24-hour bed watches for them, and when I got hurt it was more like, 'now let's see what he's made of,' which is probably inaccurate, but I felt more like that, than 'Jeez, I am happy he can still play at all.'

"We have also documented the way that the industry has changed and dictated that way that bands had to operate. Just because you have been a fan for several years doesn't mean you understand what it is like when you are told that your record is not getting picked and you did everything to make it work, and it is because of something you 'said' or 'did' and nothing to do with the musical merit of the band or the songs that you get played, or put in the rack space in the stores, or you get someone who has moved my records and put someone else's in its place (and we have had fans tell us that they did this for us too, as well as have it happen to us). Face it, there are still assholes out there who are holding the grudge and keeping it alive. I just did a search and there are thousands of sites on me and what I think of 'someone's' new album — this is an outright lie. I didn't post or say anything, because I have zero to say for the first time in my life about it. But this is just as preposterous as the several dozen sites on Facebook and elsewhere with impostors acting like they are me. I don't know what I find more ignorant, the impostor or the people who carry on these relationships with these impostors. I was talking to Justis [Dave's son] and his guitarist yesterday, and telling them how terrible people will be to their band, how they will love you, and turn on you, and how to keep from letting it break you down. People just love to hurt other people; especially anonymously over the net. You can tell because they take so much delight in ripping flesh with their words. The problem is that I expect this, and it does not hurt me like it used to; in fact it only makes me happy to see how much I have grown and how much I could have missed by being negative and small-minded for the rest of my life. I mean, think about it. Are some of the things said here really expected to be taken into consideration by me, when there is so much negative sh*t in the posts? I just keep reading and skip the ones that are nasty like that.

"There are many, many unkind places that you can go and rip apart someone and be part of the mob mentality, with the other cowards that hide behind a computer and try to destroy a person's life work because it isn't fast enough for them. Megadeth.com is not one of those places. So, if you come here and slag me, you can be sure that it will be allowed for a while, but that you won't make a lot of friends here, and that you really won't enjoy your experience here like the people who know me do, when we talk about music or travel, or even coffee, whatever! This site and the people here are here for the lifestyle, for the friendships that are made here, for the great environment, as well as for the informative music authorities, for the musicians and international forums. The list goes on and on.

"May I get back to the new record? OK, well, I was saying that I like just about everything concerning it; the sound, the environment, the music (at whatever tempo),the fact that we are constantly having successful meetings around the studio, the client list is growing, and so on, and so on.

"Speaking of successful meetings, this week so far, we have met with our merchandise company, FEA, and started the artwork for the Priest Feast tour, as well as our own new merchandise line for the next world tour. John Lorenzi is hard at work coming up with great new designs for you for the next tour. We did very well with our merchandise last tour, and I hope to do that same this tour. I also met with Kevin Dees, the son of Rick Dees, and two of his associates about me having an Internet radio show on the Dees Radio network that would bring something even kewler to Megadeth.com. This is new and on its way, so we will keep you posted on this exciting development. Please stand by for this one.

"Next, I have seen the new Dean guitar that they are going to unveil at the NAMM 2009. I am sure a lot of you will see it at this years trade show in Anaheim, Cal., and just a hint, it is a graphic guitar with some 'Rust In Peace' artwork on it. I can't wait to see this baby up close! I am really looking forward to making it back to the German NAMM show, whatever that is called again.

"And lastly, I received a topsecret 'box' shipped from Paul Marshall and my good friends at Marshall Amplification. All I have to say is, 'WOW!' You are going to die when you see what I see, er . . . hear.

"Have a great day today, and if you know someone who may not get to eat today, 'sharing' is one of my favorite words, and I just ask that on this one day, that we would do something good for someone less fortunate. It's a rush! I promise!"

MEGADETH will embark on the "Priest Feast" European tour in February 2009 with headliners JUDAS PRIEST and openers TESTAMENT.

MEGADETH's "Anthology: Set The World Afire" (Capitol/EMI) career-spanning 2-CD and digital collection sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.