Kerry King on Joining Megadeth: A Clash of Titans

Kerry king’s Megadeth Revelation: What Could Have Been in Thrash Metal History

Kerry King,the legendary guitarist from Slayer,recently opened up About his brief stint with Megadeth,sparking immense interest in thrash metal history. His reflections not only offer a glimpse into the early days of two iconic bands but also raise fascinating questions about how thrash metal might have evolved differently.What if King had stayed with Megadeth? Here’s an in-depth look at his experiences and the potential ripple effects.

The Early Days: Kerry King’s Megadeth audition

King revealed he was flattered when Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s frontman, asked him to play second guitar. He had immense respect for Mustaine’s guitar skills even back then. King played Megadeth’s first five shows, a brief but significant moment in thrash metal history.

Did You Know? Megadeth has seen nearly 20 different members throughout its history, reflecting Mustaine’s demanding leadership style.

Slayer vs. Megadeth: A Fork in the Road

When asked if he ever considered leaving Slayer to join Megadeth permanently, King admitted the thought crossed his mind. He ultimately felt that Slayer was “where I belong,” a decision he believes was right in hindsight. King suggested that he and Mustaine would have clashed significantly due to their personalities.

“I’m sure I problably did, but [SLAYER] is where I belong. And in hindsight, I absolutely made the right choice ’cause me and Dave would’ve butted heads like no tomorrow.It’s just his personality. I mean, look how people have been in his band. Fifty? And that’s not me down talking Mustaine. I like hanging with him for 20 minutes, and then you go away and ‘I’ll see you in a year.’” said King.

Metallica’s Influence: From Southern California to Global Domination

King also shared his memories of seeing Metallica in 1982, featuring Mustaine on guitar. He was impressed by mustaine’s guitar skills, noting that Mustaine wrote many of the early riffs that defined Metallica’s sound. When Mustaine formed Megadeth, he took many of those riffs with him, shaping Megadeth’s unique style.

Did You Know? Metallica’s early shows in Southern California were pivotal in establishing their presence before their move to the Bay Area.

“When I first saw ’em with Mustaine,I was sitting kind of between [METALLICA frontman] James [Hetfield] and [then-METALLICA bassist Ron] McGovney in where the audience is,and I was just blown away watching Mustaine just ripping on guitar and not even looking at his fingers. I’m, like, ‘I can’t do that.’ And to this day, he’s a badass guitar player. But that’s what I walked away from METALLICA [thinking]. And he wrote tons of the riffs in the early days. So, when he branched off into MEGADETH, a lot of the riffs went with him.” Added King.

The Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth Dynamic: A Complex Relationship

King discussed his relationships with members of metallica. While he finds Mustaine “cool,” he also acknowledges Mustaine’s tendency to be controversial.He noted that James Hetfield makes an effort to connect, while he sees other Metallica members less frequently. This complex interplay underscores the intertwined history of the “Big Four” of thrash metal.

Pro Tip: Understanding the interpersonal dynamics of influential bands enriches the thankfulness of their music and legacies.

Potential Future Trends: the Enduring Legacy of Thrash Metal

King’s reflections offer insights into potential future trends in thrash metal: Collaboration among artists from different bands could lead to innovative sounds. The influence of early thrash metal pioneers continues to shape modern metal genres. Personal dynamics within bands remain a critical factor in their creative output and longevity.

Kerry King on Dave Mustaine: A Complicated Friendship

King has always maintained a complex, yet respectful, relationship with Mustaine. He appreciates Mustaine’s talent but acknowledges the challenges of working with him long-term. King humorously stated he prefers limiting their interactions to 20 minutes to avoid discomfort. In January, King mentioned that Mustaine “can’t help but stick his foot in his mouth,” highlighting Mustaine’s unfiltered personality.

What If? Speculating on a Different Thrash Metal Timeline

The hypothetical scenario of King joining Megadeth raises intriguing possibilities. Could a King-Mustaine collaboration have altered Megadeth’s sound or trajectory? Would it have impacted Slayer’s evolution? While such questions are unanswerable, they highlight the pivotal moments that shaped thrash metal’s history. King himself mused in last fall that if he and Mustaine could have co-existed for four years, it would have been a very different band.

How might thrash metal history be different if King had joined Megadeth? What challenges and opportunities could have arisen from such a collaboration?

The 2010 Reunion: Kerry King Joins Megadeth Onstage

More recently, King joined Megadeth onstage in October 2010 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Worldwide City, California to perform MEGADETH’s classic “Rattlehead”.

Kerry King’s views on Mustaine’s Evolution

King has observed changes in Mustaine over the years, attributing them to “a lot of drugs and funny extracurriculars.” He noted that while Mustaine was “cooler back then,” his experiences have shaped who he is today. Despite these changes, King acknowledges Mustaine’s unique riff-writing style, even if it differs from his own. When asked if he had any particularly bad experiences dealing with Mustaine in the early days of MEGADETH, Kerry said: “He was cooler back then. I think there’s been a lot of drugs and funny extracurriculars between now and then that helped shape who he is today. But it was good times back then.”

Analyzing the ‘Big Four’ Dynamic

The relationships among the “Big Four” of thrash metal – Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax – have been complex and ever-evolving. King’s insights into his interactions with Metallica members, particularly Hetfield, Hammett, Trujillo and Ulrich, provide a rare glimpse into their camaraderie and occasional distance despite shared success.

Band	Key Members	Notable Characteristics
Metallica	James Hetfield,Lars Ulrich,Kirk Hammett,Robert Trujillo	Commercial success,consistent evolution
Megadeth	Dave Mustaine,David Ellefson	Technical proficiency,complex song structures
Slayer	Kerry King,Tom Araya	Aggressive sound,dark themes
Anthrax	Scott Ian,Charlie Benante	Energetic performances,crossover appeal

FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Kerry king leave Megadeth?

Kerry King felt that Slayer was a better fit for him and believed his personality would clash with Dave Mustaine in the long term.

How long did Kerry King play with Megadeth?

Kerry King played Megadeth’s first five shows as their second guitarist.

What does Kerry King think of Dave Mustaine’s guitar skills?

Kerry King holds Dave Mustaine in high regard as a guitarist, considering him one of the greatest.

how does Kerry King describe his relationship with Metallica members?

Kerry King maintains a cordial relationship with Metallica members, noting that James Hetfield frequently enough makes an effort to connect, while interactions with other members are less frequent.

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Given Kerry King’s reflections on his brief time with Megadeth, what impact did the various influences of the Southern California metal scene have on the development of the “Big Four” bands’ unique sounds?

Archyde Interviews: A Deep dive into Thrash Metal History with Dr. Evelyn Reed

Welcome to Archyde! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr.Evelyn Reed, a renowned music historian specializing in the evolution of thrash metal. dr. Reed, thank you for joining us.

The kerry King Revelation

Archyde: Dr. Reed, kerry King’s recent reflections on his brief stint with megadeth have ignited tremendous interest. What key insights does this offer into the early days of thrash metal?

Dr. Reed: Thank you for having me. King’s insights provide a unique perspective on the dynamics and formative stages of two titan bands, Slayer and Megadeth.His recounting of auditioning for Megadeth and playing those initial five shows offers us a window into the option potential of the genre. It highlights the pivotal moments that shaped thrash metal’s trajectory and the potential ripple effects of different membership arrangements.

The “What If” Scenario

Archyde: The question of “what if” King had joined Megadeth permanently is captivating. How might that have altered the course of thrash metal history?

Dr. Reed: It’s a tantalizing prospect.A King-Mustaine collaboration could have led to a more aggressive or technically complex Megadeth sound. It might have also influenced Slayer’s evolution, perhaps pushing them in different musical directions. However, as King himself suggests, their personalities might have clashed; a dynamic that could have limited the band’s longevity.

The Big Four Dynamics

Archyde: King’s comments also touch on the complex relationships within the “Big four.” How crucial have these interpersonal dynamics been in shaping the success and longevity of bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax?

Dr. reed: Hugely vital. The interplay of personalities, creative visions, and clashing egos significantly impact a band’s trajectory. As King’s recounts with members of Metallica have revealed, those early connections were pivotal in establishing their presence before later global success. The ability of bands to manage these dynamics, influenced their creative output, fueled band longevity, and cemented their legacies.

The Impact of Early Influences

Archyde: King mentioned the impact of seeing Metallica early on, observing Mustaine’s guitar skills and riff writing. How critically important were the early Southern California shows and the influence of bands like Metallica in shaping thrash metal’s future?

Dr.Reed: The early Southern California scene was the incubator for thrash metal.Metallica’s energy and Mustaine’s riffs, as King noted, were basic. They helped shape the genre’s technicality and raw intensity. Moreover, seeing those early shows and identifying them was pivotal in forming thrash metal’s sound and establishing its unique identity.

Dave Mustaine’s Evolution

Archyde: King has observed changes, attributing them to “a lot of drugs and funny extracurriculars.” Can you elaborate on how dave Mustaine’s evolution has shaped Megadeth’s trajectory?

Dr. Reed: King’s assessment highlights the long-time personal struggles Mustaine has had, which adds nuance to understanding his personality, but, those experiences, however, have clearly impacted how Mustaine leads, writes music, and interacts.Mustaine’s approach, for better or worse, has helped define Megadeth. While it might have limited their band member retention, it has also fueled their signature sound and sustained their position as one of the “Big Four” for thrash metal.

Future Trends and Legacy

Archyde: what potential future trends in thrash metal can we discern from these insights, and what is the enduring legacy of these groundbreaking bands?

Dr. Reed: Collaboration, as we saw with the 2010 reunion, could lead to innovative fusions. The influence of pioneers like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer shapes modern metal, with elements of thrash continuously evolving into various genres. The “big four” all have a legacy that continues to influence the band’s creative and commercial output and longevity.

Final Thoughts

Archyde: Dr.reed, any final thoughts or observations to leave our audience with?

Dr.Reed: The story of thrash metal is one of creative tension, complex relationships, and the relentless pursuit of musical innovation. King’s reflections remind us of how pivotal small moments are in the history of music; to remember that our relationships are also important. the “Big Four” will continue to influence, and the debate over “what if” scenarios will keep fans engaged for generations.

Archyde: Dr. Reed, thank you for your time and insightful analysis.

Dr. Reed: My pleasure.

Archyde: We invite our readers to share their thoughts: how would thrash metal have changed if Kerry King had stayed with megadeth? What are your favorite moments in thrash metal history?