MEGADETH's MUSTAINE: 'It's Time To Tell You The Truth About What Is Happening In The Studio'

MEGADETH is in the final 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:

"It's time to tell you the truth about what is happening in the studio.

"We are trying really hard to come up with a record that will satisfy our new fans that love MEGADETH, and that have not had to deal with the 'ups and downs' of being a fan whilst lineup changes took place. Trust me, I know that this sucks for you, because you get close to someone, or you get familiar with a certain musician and then he may be gone.

"It is sad to think like that, but it is like I said before, 'We really only have just this moment together, don't we?' We have had so many different musicians in this band that when I was trying to make my point, it took quite some time to run down the list of players. You see, I was trying to tell Justis [Dave's son] that he needs to do certain things with his band, and that he needs to be able to make the tough decisions that most 'leaders' don't have to make. And sometimes it results in lineup changes.

"I told him about the very first group of people that I played with in my first setting, all the way through my first real band, through PANIC and METALLICA, ending with the long lineup list from MEGADETH.

"I started playing with my sister's ex-husband's (douche bag) little brother and a few guys, and switched around in that band until I met Dave Harmon and created PANIC and the several lineups with that band. Then there were the changes within METALLICA that people don't know about, like 'Damien,' the feminine guitarist with the feather earring and the eyeliner and the red and white striped girl's shirt; and last but certainly not least, there have been more changes in MEGADETH than I would like to count.

"So, here we are in the studio with three other talented men and a fantastic engineer and producer that is recording and co-producing the record with me. And if you think about it, Andy has made several of the hottest new metal records out currently, and he is one of the few people that I listen to without prejudice, so I listen to him with very honest ears.

"We have 11 ideas, I think that we have four of those arranged or close to being arranged and of those 11, several of them are complete songs. I am also waiting to hear from Shawn [Drover, drums], James [Lomenzo, bass], and Chris [Broderick, guitar]. James had something that was really great and is going to make it onto this record. Shawn had some stuff from long ago and I asked him to try to re-record it because we have been together for four years now, and since he is the second longest drummer in MEGADETH, only second to Nick Menza, I feel that he deserves to have his music on this record; besides, he is really good and has great chops and songwriting skills.

"Sundays we take off from the studio, and Shawn and Andy go five blocks from my beach house to the sand and sunbath for the day. They've also been getting familiar with the surrounding area. I am going to head in today and work around Justis and his band (they go in on the weekend after they finish all of their school work) until we are finished with this record. I have some renewed vitality and I have been going in early and just playing my guitar by myself. But first, I have a massage for my physical therapy on my degenerative disk disease and arthritis in my neck."