David Ellefson talks about Kerry King's time in Megadeth

GET THRASHED DVD RELEASE DATE - 9/16/08
AVAILABLE AT WWW.LIGHTYEAR.COM
David Ellefson (ex Megadeth) talks about the early days of Megadeth when Kerry King (Slayer) was briefly a member of the band.

[@chapametal08]

eric peterson of testament is one of the best rhythm guitarrist out of here, he is underrated

[@dethhead22]

Damn straight!

[@joeyatkins1504]

Agreed !!

[@meshzzizk]

His side project band Dragonlord is underrated as hell too - great fusion of Dimmu style goth/black metal with tight rhythmic thrash sensibilities

[@ultrabeastjigsaw5313]

Can’t name a single testament song

[@AndE667]

@@ultrabeastjigsaw5313 What, are you proud of your ignorance?

[@shaya550]

No Ellefson, No Megadeth. When he left there, literally broke my heart. I'm glad he's back i swear this guy kept Mustaine sane, his partner in crime and slime all the way down ♥️

[@Pabloignacioalvarez]

Megadeth need his playing to be megadeth

[@11DNA11]

+Félix Deschambault Totally agree. The Dave's compliment eachothers playing so much. And it's hard to say no to a guy like Ellefson. A really great metal bassist.

[@undeadredemption_]

can't agree more

[@archangelofcoffee922]

And he's gone...again.

[@deadlynightshade1658]

Well, he's gone again... sad 😔

[@CalebePriester]

0:24 Jr. nailed it!! Kerry talks just like that!!

[@sigit666]

mustaine fired lots of talented members but not ellefson, coz its hard to replace a talented metal bass player.

[@lucastrav9157]

not ellefson because he did the drugs with dave

[@11DNA11]

+sigit666 They're best friends. It's harder to fire a guy that's been through thick and thin with you.

[@einzelganger7245]

you never fire your brother mate.

[@luckydominguez2654]

But Ellefrson still left the band. FOOKIN LEFT THE BAND

[@Vulkanzed-117]

sigit666 he didn't fire him junior left for legal reasons

[@m.c.ruckus2032]

I'm perfectly fine with the fact that Kerry Fucking King went back with Slayer. He and Jeff made legendary metal together.

[@SinisterManiac]

I met Ellefson back in early March in San Francisco. He gave me a green pick! He's not only a badass bassist, but he's a nice guy.

[@latinogroyper9627]

Jeff Hanneman’s riffs are my favorite

[@David-bo5uc]

I think most people think that

[@mercatorjubio3804]

Hanneman's riffs as played by Kerry

[@METALGRAMMYS]

ya think?

[@Lotus-Son]

"He made a lot of noise.... He's one of the best metal RHYTHM players out there." I think ellefson is being nice here and inadvertently saying Kerry's technical and soloing skills aren't really as great as how people might perceive him to be. Perfect style for slayers sound, but he's no Marty Friedman.

[@sdkee]

+ThyChrysanthemum > Perfect style for slayers sound, but he's no Marty Friedman. But perfect for being Hanneman's muse. King+Mustaine = Magic. King+Hanneman=magic. I gotta think there is a bit of magic in Mr King...

[@crabsaw213]

The bald fashion was made popular by Phil Anselmo tbh

[@itsalwayssomething7490]

Kerry is no Poland, Young, Pitrelli, Drover, Broderick, Loureiro, either.

[@Bumbaclot213]

@@crabsaw213 he was going bald and did the sensible thing

[@mercatorjubio3804]

that's not what he said.

[@MasterofKnees]

Most awesome metal star right there. He is the best at his instrument and he has an awesome personality.

[@metalred74]

Imo,Dave was being VERY kind to Kerry by saying that he was "by far" one of the best rhythm guitarists EVER. He's a good guitarist but far from being one of the "all time best" and I consider myself to be a pretty big SLAYER fan. And from what I've seen and read over the years,Kerry hasn't usually been what you'd call "nice","easy going" OR a particularly "good" guy! maybe on rare occasions! That was more "Junior" being a diplomat (aka an ass kisser!) for the camera than anything else!

[@11DNA11]

Junior is friends with everyone, so he won't be stirring any shit with anyone at any point.

[@JoshuelAdame7]

Not everyday I get recommended a video from 15 years ago.

[@jonnztheepic]

"Hey! You're Playin' Guitar With Us! What Are You Doin?!"

[@n0cturnalsurfer]

what an awesome interview of Ellefson's. hope he's happy doing whatever it is he's doing now

[@hugolafhugolaf]

This comment has not aged well.

[@n0cturnalsurfer]

@@hugolafhugolaf hahah whatever. I still hope he’s doing well.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

@@n0cturnalsurfer So do I though. He got shafted by Mustaine.

[@n0cturnalsurfer]

@@hugolafhugolaf yeah, I don’t know what their personal situation or dialogue was like, but it would be a shame if mustaine kicked him to the curb after 38 years or whatever, for fear of bad publicity over the leaked texts and pics

[@hugolafhugolaf]

@@n0cturnalsurfer That’s exactly what it was. Mustaine saw the opportunity to get a cheaper replacement.

[@VolvoImpala]

Yeah, I'm in awe of a number of solos Kerry has played over the years even outside of Slayer. Of course "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by the Beastie Boys is of note but I love his solos on "War Ensemble" and "Die By The Sword." That second one is on the first album and playing that behind Tom Araya singing shows how innovative they were right out the gate. If you can't tell yet, Slayer is by far my favorite metal band ever. I heard him saying before Reign in Blood he'd write solos for the songs but on Reign in Blood he started playing solos that had nothing to do with the tunes and people were saying he was still doing a great job. And he would just shrug.

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

you are kidding right, SLAYER has some of the worst guitar solos of the Big Four if not all of Metal, prove me wrong

[@VolvoImpala]

@@Good-Enuff-Garage It's subjective, isn't it? I already pointed out the solos I like. If you disagree then disagree with those. Don't make me repeat myself, you child!

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

@@VolvoImpala an insult rather than proof, noted

[@VolvoImpala]

@@Good-Enuff-Garage Haha, you take being called a child as an insult. Okay. But proof? I just told you tastes are subjective. Do you not know what subjective means, you special child? You doofus child?

[@deepcreep9849]

I love Kerry King's barbwired solos but outside of Slayer, they are terribly chromatic bro. He definitely has no musical knowledge nor any nuance.

[@pascalcooper4518]

one time when I saw Slayer I was in the front of the pit and Kerry's fingers started bleeding and in between songs he took some superglue out of his pocket, sealed up his fingers and kept going.

[@petek333]

Mustaine rythm guitar and vocals in same time - Try to play Holy Wars and sing

[@paulpv7]

Also try frayed ends of sanity and sing or trapped under ice or poison was the cure

[@jesussoto6855]

or the leads in the conjuring

[@6672rock]

Yeah, I would say Kerry is a solid rhythm player, even though his leads suck royally.

[@michaelnoneofyabusiness9566]

Agreed

[@krempaskyy7771]

nothing wrong with his leads

[@Taurus1337]

He's bad at writing solos, nothing wrong with his lead playing

[@jdcsteelers498]

He does a downpour in literally all of his solos, I bet you most likely can’t think of 10 slayer songs that don’t have him doing any downpours in a solo. There was definitely certain songs he played great leads on though!

[@billgeezeriommi]

I personally like his lead playing lol I feel like him and Jeff are similar lead players no?

[@ZuBeRCraZyBassY]

My friend , your comment just made my day !! i could not agree more .... that combination is ULTIMATE !! Look at kill em all ... thats my fav album of all time !!!!

[@ravenatti]

I think David Ellefson is to Dave Mustaine the same that Tom Araya is to Kerry King, the voice of wisdom and a reasonable opinion.

[@dlguitardude]

Kerry is a solid rhythm player for metal. I'm a huge Slayer fan because of their overall songs.There is something they have that no other band does+it's hard to pin point it.They're just evil sounding+heavy w/out a hint of being dramatic or trying. We're talking fluency w/alternate picking+alternate speed picking+being able to create really sick riffs incorporating these things+others+Kerry does do this well.The leads,while being unique,are kind of sloppy+out of key but you KNOWthey're Slayers.

[@stevef4930]

I think it really has to do with a perfect balance of interesting song structure especially in their first 3-5 albums, and the lyrics are a hidden gem that I think most people sleep on. Riffs are complex enough to be impressive, but still digestible

[@TheMeJustMe75]

Funny to watch this interview in 2022.

[@snake2261]

@ILLRICARDO although I am a huge Testament fan, Slayer deserves everything they have gotten. I will agree that testament is sorely underrated. those guys kick ass.

[@THRASHFKINFILLETS]

Just a few more - *Bruce Franklin(Trouble) *Harley Flanegan(Cro-mags) *Martin Walkyier(Sabbat) *Micheal Kiske(Helloween) *Tom G. Warrior(Celtic Frost) *Tommy Christ(Ludichrist) *Max Cavalera(Sepultura) *Peavy Wagner(Rage) *Scott 'Wino' Weinrich(St.Vitus) *Ron Jarzombeck(Watchtower) *Dan Liker(Nuclear Assault) *Marcus Grosskopf(Helloween) *Jason McMaster(Watchtower) *Igor Cavalera(Seputura) *Marcel Schmier(Destruction) *Jeff Waters(Annihilator)

[@edednoc2672]

Ron ? No way, Ron can play circles around Dave, lets face it , Dave is a good composer, but not a lead guitar , and he knows about it, he’s lucky that his band is mainstream, otherwise those other guys would never play in his band .

[@tking1974]

Dude! Slayer rules! Fuckin, We LOVE Slayer! Fuckin perfect metalhead voice, you're awesome Dave Jr.

[@timboslayer]

Nice to hear someone else (Friedman) from Megadeth saying good words about King.

[@slantyrock]

HE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Failhaid]

yes, that's what i think, too and many many famous people in the Metalscene say that.for example Andy Sneap (producer of Endgame) or Lee Altus (guitarist in Exodus and Heathen).

[@benyleb666]

Kerry king isnt dead, hes immortal dude!

[@THRASHFKINFILLETS]

And also the following - *Kai Hansen(Helloween) *Ed Wagner(Trouble) *Kurt Brecht(D.R.I.) *Rock George(Suicidal Tendencies) *Messiah Marcolin(Candlemass) *Snake(Voivod) *Erik 'A.K.' Knutson(Flotsam and Jetsam) *Scott Ian(Anthrax) *Gary Holt(Exodus) *Piggy(Voivod) *Jason Newstead(Metallica) *Steve 'Zetro' Souza(Exodus) *Geoff Tate(Queensryche) *Mike Muir(Suicidal Tendencies) *Rick Hunolt(Exodus) *Chuck Schuldiner(Death) *Billy Milano(M.O.D.) cont'

[@pikehunter23750]

David makes us Minnesotans proud!

[@queeky00]

BRING ELLEFSON BACK!

[@matt2eadgbe]

@SvenTviking Maybe on the first 4 albums. Youthanasia is one of the most well produced metal albums of all time.

[@albertdavila6808]

Dave is such a cool guy

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

I respectfully do not believe him that Kerry picked up those songs that quick, he even stated in his video how he had to spend time to learn them and he was overwhelmed and nervous as hell

[@vapordreams983]

Slayer and Megadeth are both fucking great!

[@dlguitardude]

I'm not taking away their leads either because they're entirely suitable and appropriate for their music: just vicious,fast,out of key or in key,sloppy+chaotically violent which, once again, is perfect for Slayer's music. I'd rather hear Kerry+Jeff on leads w/Slayer than Yngwie or some shredder of that sort.

[@brucetungsten5714]

x10

[@D119heavy]

@ManiacSerialKilleR I got into metal because of Korn too, I still respect their old stuff and occasionally listen to it, but Slayer, Megadeth and (old)Metallica will always be the true classic heroes of american metal at that time Anthrax too obviously, I just never got into them that much

[@balcomoz]

So underrated age well

[@osiris8605]

Hell yeah in exact order

[@toneconsultant]

Nice words from a big time dude

[@HurricaneTBag]

Jr. always was a cool dude. Seems liked a real dude, always has the best incite to things. You interview Mustaine or any other Megadeth member or someone from any other of the big four thrash bands: James, Scott, Jeff, Lars whoever...then ask Jr. the same question and Jr. gives you by far and a way a more detailed answer and nails several things the other guys missed.

[@steveo_80]

is the only place to get the dvd at the website in the extra info?

[@TheDragisadrakula]

Does anyone perhaps know,wich processor,Jeff and Kerry use back in the early 80's

[@bigfuckingdaddy]

I was listening to Megadeth before both of you guys were born... Maybe, well I first seen Megadeth back in 1986 and 1987 then again with Dio and Savatage and on the COTT tour with Slayer, Anthrax and Alice In Chains...The goodoldays! also seen Metallica on the RTL tour and Master tour with Ozzy before Cliff died!

[@PaperLanterns003]

MAN, Anthrax was the 3rd invaders of Thrash Metal! After Metallica and Slayer all of them fucking rule!!!

[@zantoine]

love the last sentence

[@Rennsport-Media]

No sir….. the best metal rhythm guitarist tittle belongs to James Hetfield!

[@Sambo169]

Yes Sir!

[@THRASHFKINFILLETS]

My ideal metal super group/album would include the following- *Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth(Overkill) *Alex Scholnick(Testament) *Mille Petrozza(Kreator) *Tom Angelripper(Sodom) *Andy la Rocque(King Diamond) *John Connelly(Nuclear Assault) *King Diamond(Mercyful Fate) *Gene Hoglan(Dark Angel) *Phil Rind(Sacred Reich) *Dave Mustaine(Megadeth) *Kerry King(Slayer) *Charlie Benante(Anthrax) *Chuck Billy(Testament) *Ron Broder(Coroner) *Dave Ellefson(Megadeth) cont'

[@Mangels31]

Yeah man I heard of south of heaven and seasons, its called my high scool days. I dont know where youre coming from with horrible albums. It might have been a change up for slayer but it was still heavy, loud, evil, and fast. Its a little different but they never got off the path. Keep listening !

[@NeverAloneForever]

Chris Poland broke a part of his finger and now he can extend his finger to greater lengths(Poland might not be the most noticable guitarist but the fact that he plays Jazz Fusion is awewsome and he's better than Dave Mustaine) and The System Has Failed was so Metal. I wondered why? It turns out Poland returned for that album. Oh, Do you have any of Polands solo albums?

[@NightmareSnake]

@LamaPaj Thank you. I wish other people would say that.

[@NightmareSnake]

@LamaPaj Yeah they can. I saw them a month and a half ago and they kicked ass.

[@Alfredo78666]

"I remember, the first time he came with his 16yo niece..."

[@Hangar189]

FMK! Dave Ellefson rocks!

[@chiefmegadeth]

Come Back to Megadeth Dave please!!!! we miss ya

[@MrFitz219]

I'm suprised him and mustaine ever got along they seem to have very different personalities

[@nepromt184]

Дэвид Эллефсон о времени, когда Керри Кинг поиграл в Megadeth: ..он делал очень много шума! Керри, как мне показалось, больше не хотел играть в Slayer! понимаете? он отыграл с нами пару концертов - в Районе Залива. как-то мы были в одном магазине, и какой-то металлюга оттуда сказал ему: "чувак! SLAYER - рулит! бл..дь, мы все обожаем SLAYER!", и я увидел, как Керри изменился в лице, типа: "о-оу! - чё я творю?", и он уехал к себе домой, а затем вернулся в SLAYER, а мы такие: "эй! ты же с нами играешь! ты чего?!". вот что я скажу - Керри без всяких сомнений - один из, если не самый лучший - ритм-гитаристов в металле! из ныне живущих.. ..я имею в виду.. - я помню, как он пришёл и с лёгкостью на слух подбирал песни, и, такой: "пфф!" - разок сыграет - "бам!" - всё! - он её уже умеет играть! - он весьма убедителен в том, чем он занимается! (как машина?) - да! ..и забавно вспоминать, как Керри сидел в гостиной с папой и мамой у себя дома, и втыкал гвозди в кожу для своего напульсника, с которым он выступал со своей группой на сцене, а папа с мамой в это время сидели, и смотрели телек, и Керри, сидит, такой, на полу, знаете.. мы-то его знаем как Металл-Икону! ..и вот он просто сидит на полу в своей гостиной - этим и крут Керри - он приятный чувак, с которым легко ладить, но выглядит-то он - все вы знаете - как мучитель-потрошитель!..

[@TheWeemaster]

Ive met Kerry King he isnt as tall as you would think he's actually quite short but he still looks brutal as fuck !!!

[@UnafraidCookie]

yes he is, he left the band in 2002 and rejoined in 2010

[@rogerklotz8]

LMAO at the last 3 seconds..david ellefson is so cool..

[@maplesalt1482]

This video is about as old as Rust In Peace was when it was uploaded

[@KymeraKILLER]

No Hell Awaits was when they actually created the "Slayer sound" Show no Mercy has bits of Maiden and Venom here and there, one of the riffs on Antichrist reminds me of Live like an Angel actually. It's still a good album. Dittohead is an awesome song though.

[@gitariff]

yeahhh it´s fucking awesome

[@mralexforbes]

R.I.P Kerry King

[@Lexman509]

"He didn't want to be in Slayer anymore" Well, I guess he got he wish now.

[@Randinator]

I'm surprised he didn't mention he likes to play open E notes a lot lol.

[@Omar13Z]

@MetalSwitch95 Actually he uses pedals not whammy bars! x]

[@HunterVex.]

Jr is the best!

[@acg515]

Yeah man, I wish Kerry King and Slayer, and pretty much 95% of metal bands today had stayed like they were, and played metal, instead of rap and shit, or pop, or whatever the fuck else they play, Slayer has stayed pretty true to it, except for Kerry's little thing. Anyways, keep on rockin on dude.

[@angryscottishdude]

oh my god, i just did and it said Megadeth disbanded and Ellefson would not come back, go to wikipedia and look it up...

[@AccessSmitty]

@TheDethKnell your perception of dragonforce is similar to what people thought of metallica and thrash in general in the early stages. They thought "pfffft! this is nothing but speed", but as it matured you saw them mix it with more melodies and slower progressions, as metallica proved with tracks like "fade to black" and "one" for example. I recommend you listen to the full version of "the last journey home" by dragonforce, it among others proves DF arent all about speed, its great.

[@GabrielTheDrummer96]

FUCKING SLAYER!!!!!!!!

[@ducadimantova91]

Well, Metallica aren't really that bad, but I definitely agree with you on the first two! Megadeth 1st, Testament 2nd, and then Voivod, SYL, Watchtower, Mekong Delta, Sepultura, Artillery, Witchery, Dark Angel, Sabbat, Coroner, Celtic Frost, Slayer, Kreator, Suicidal Tendencies, Possessed, Nuclear Assault, Tankard, Overkill, Sodom, Blind Illusion, Torture Squad, Destruction, Flotsam and Jetsam, Living Death, Tourniquet, Deliverance... Too many to mention them all! David Ellefson rules!

[@shioumaguh]

Yay Area YEAH!!

[@BigRedTooL]

Kerry King in Megadeth...wow...and let Dave Mustaine play all the solos...wow...

[@anahowana]

sweet early days

[@9CRonaldo8Kaka]

Kerry is good rhythm but cmon Junior you know that Dave's THE best metal player.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

No

[@seekah1]

What a fascinating story. JH is more vital than KK for Slayer, but no on can argue he is one shit-hot rhythm player which is very important as well of course.

[@angryscottishdude]

i didnt say ellefson didnt want to join. i said ellefson was not in megadeth when they reformed. that would be cool if he played some shows

[@Zamudiokid]

Dave Mustain made Kerry King.

[@MrMetalMan22]

@AsmodeanNZ thank you why cant people get that through their fucking heads that metallica and megadeth are great bands and that without them we probably wouldnt have thrash!!!

[@JulianThursday13]

Agree !!!

[@WinkoDrum]

Haha, you're reading my mind :D

[@DMEB]

his older priest style soloing on show no mercy and hell awaits wasnt that bad though... but he is one killer rhythm player...

[@KerryFKing]

no one is the best guitarist...there are too much styles of music..you can't be the best guitar player...but kerry is one of the best metalguitarplayer!

[@mercyfulmetal7324]

But that is what Ellefson said, "best metal rhythm guitar players"...

[@patrickshannon4516]

Looks like David is talking from a jail cell in this interview.

[@saznrai]

@FiNNziDuploFilms oh no I wasnt talking about them talking about dime for hrs.. you know just mentioning about him and you know sharing a story... and I didnt know Dimebag was asked to be the rhythm guitarist.. It was a good thing he never joined MegadetH or else we wouldnt have PanterA... we might have had an even explosive MegadetH but still..

[@Mxburt]

wat is david up to now a daze?

[@scottybbadd]

At times I agree.

[@insanemtl5890]

Probably a bit late, but:@Jesus Christ, Do you think a band with two Daves (Mustaine) would be very persistent? Dave (Ellefson) is a good balancing part to Mustaine.

[@KhaozMaker94]

Dave is the God of all of them he is lead and rhythm and he also sings..while playing hard shit on the guitar..so..Dave owns..

[@pettigrew95]

hes in a band called F5 with former suicidal tendencies and megadeth drummer jimmy degrasso

[@KokoRicky]

I think it's funny how he emphasized that King is "one of the best RHYTHM guitar players" because everyone knows his solos, while fun, are pretty sloppy.

[@tvittori]

True.

[@olystercrowley]

"Kerry is a nice easy goin' cool guy but he looks like he's going to rip your fuckin' throat out" lol !!

[@HalfEatenDimSim]

I agree about Freidman's sound being to bright. He was (and still is I suppose) a very fluent player, but a greater tone variation between the two like Dave Murray and Adrian Smith have would have sounded alot more full on.

[@littlecolonal]

world needs a hero was actually a pretty sweet album

[@rockingrugger]

Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, i mean David Ellefson and Chad Smith should totally play together!

[@jareddavidmanifold313]

This has to be the oldest megadeth interview on KZbin.

[@voyager71390]

lol @ ellefson's starbucks on the floor by his feet