MEGADETH's MUSTAINE Says New Album Will Make A Lot Of Detractors 'Sit Up And Take Notice'

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 a lengthy update via the "Forums" section of the band's official web site. A few excerpts from his posting follow below.

"2008 brought us much success; excluding the fact that we were in the middle of an extensive, exhaustive world tour supporting the latest record from MEGADETH, 'United Abominations' on Roadrunner Records and were out for a nearly 18-month long trip, and we have gone to place like India, Thailand, Singapore, Peru, Ecuador, and several new cities in Countries that we have already been too as well as returning to cities that we haven't been too for several years. Sadly, we still have yet to reach South Africa, and also return to Russia.

"With the change in guitarists from Glen Drover to Chris Broderick, I was nervous, but at this point of seeing him interact with the band and the fans, there was nothing to worry about. The guys are getting the hang of posting here more often, and you should be able to see a lot of action through the MegaFanClub [MEGADETH's official fan club], which will reopen in 2009.

"Andy and Shawn [Drover, MEGADETH drummer] are back safe and sound in their own little beds, and I have been going to the studio during the days, when I can and making slight changes to the songs, much in the same way that I wrote 'Rust In Peace'. You see, when I was writing that record, we were rehearsing in a hall near the Griffith Park Observatory and each day we would get there we would do our respective party favors and then we would go over all of the songs, including 'My Creation', although that had no lyrics at the time sang on the track and rendered the track obsolete. So, I have been going in each day and making the slightest of changes and most are for the better — reverting back to the previous version if I don't like what I did the next day. James [Lomenzo, MEGADETH bassist] and Chris and I are all still here, should I have any brainstorms and I know how to play the drums at least as good as Shawn knows how to play guitar, and that is saying something, since he is the fastest guitarist in the world. Remember?!

"Now, about the songs:

"I have five of the nine that appear to be mine completely written and arranged. There are two more that are Shawn's, and James has a potential part for a song, as well as Chris. I have to say that the energy and musical vein is from the period you have all been requesting. I know I have written something good too, when I am playing something and I curl my lip up when I assault my guitar. Andy said, 'Awwight! Ye got a bit ov de ole lip snarlin' goin now wight matey??'

"I can without a doubt say that there is a song on here that is somewhat like 'Poison Was The Cure'. There seems to be a 'color' around this song that is reminiscent of the flair and energy from that period. This color is evident on several songs.

"I am more excited about this new record than I was with 'United Abominations' or anything in the last several years. I must confess that when Justis [Dave's son] comes in and he and his band are stocked and howling about how fast and how heavy the new stuff is, it does make me feel great. He has really finicky taste and loves the really heavy stuff; especially the fast double-bass drum parts.

"I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS 'RUST IN PEACE 2'! But I can say that the five out of nine songs I have arranged, I like and love them all, and every one of the songs has one or more of the strong points of me as a guitarist being showcased instead of me writing songs for radio — radio that won't play us anyway.

"I am getting excited about the upcoming tour with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGS, and TESTAMENT. I am also getting even more excited about hearing my new guitar partner Chris Broderick put some burning solos down! This is really going to be a record that will make a lot of people that thought we couldn't do it anymore sit up and take notice. Of course, there will not be a fast-enough song on here for a lot of people, or a heavy enough song, or something that will permit some of our visitors here to piss and moan about stuff.

"It's time to go and make history after I get out of service. I have a purdy good couple of song titles too, that once I get the lyrics onto the songs, I will let you know the titles (or at least the working titles)."