MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Can't See Himself Ever Quitting Metal

In a recent interview with Windsor Star, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was asked how much mortality is on his mind these days, especially with so many rock and heavy metal musicians dying in the past couple of years. "Zero," he replied. "I'm not going to live trapped in fear that my life is going to end, because then I'd miss out on all the great things that life has in store for me. I love my life. I've had a lot of close calls, but a lot of that has been due to stupidity.

"Unless you're really stupid, you learn growing up," he continued. "You learn what's right and wrong. You learn the difference between what's going to leave a scab and what's going to leave a really bad scar."

Pressed about whether he could ever see himself retiring from metal, or at least retiring from performing, Mustaine said: "You know, I could see myself putting farther dates between concerts. But do I see myself ever quitting metal? Not really. I think it's too much a part of my DNA. I'd still want to be involved in some capacity, whether it's as an executive, a producer — somebody who's helping to make records or managing bands.

"I'm a trustee on the Grammy board now, and I'm starting to go into the next phase of my life — to really be an ambassador and pass on the experience that I have … And that is just as rewarding to me as winning the awards."

MEGADETH has just completed a North American tour with MESHUGGAH and will play arenas later in the year as the support act for German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS.

MEGADETH is planning on returning to the studio at the end of the year to begin work on the follow-up to 2016's "Dystopia" album.

The band's upcoming effort will mark MEGADETH's first release to feature new drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who officially joined the group a year ago.