Nick Menza - Remembrance

Today commemorates the one year Anniversary of the regrettable passing of a great man and legendary drummer Nick Menza who is remembered today by David Ellefson - (MEGADETH), Alex skolnick (TESTAMENT), Jason Bittner (OVERKILL / SHADOWS FALL), Rob Cavestany (DEATH ANGEL), Chris "OJ" Ojeda (BYZANTINE), Anthony Tiny Biuso (TSOL/Doyle), Tomislav Ivkovic / Davor Garasic (SUFOSIA), Chad Brandolini (VATER Percussion Inc.), Cory Danziger (Scenefour Inc.), (Donte / Nicholas Menza)
The Menza Family would like to thank Robert Bolger / Keith Johnston for putting this tribute together and to all of those that participated.
Thank you for sharing stories and for keeping his legacy alive. Nick will forever be in our hearts. Don, Rose and Donia Menza
(R.I.P.) Nick Menza (July 23, 1964 - May 21, 2016)

[@NickMenzaofficial]

The Menza family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and beautiful memories that they shared about Nick. The responses were overwhelming and are helping us with the healing process. We commented that we are doing our best to move on but sometimes the grief builds up and we just have to let it out. Some days are worse than others, so thanks again for keeping his legacy alive. Sincerely, (Don, Rose and Donia Menza)

[@pabloquinones8366]

NICK MENZA thank's for sharing this material, nick Will be always in my thoughs. greetings from Argentina

[@Y2KV]

Apologies for just now finding this page 2yrs after the fact. I'm a "mega-fan" who was fortunate enough to have a couple direct interactions with Nick over the years. Assuming his family ever reads these comments, perhaps my testimony here will jog your memories, as I interacted with his wife a few times as well later on. I was a member of the original Cyberarmy & took part in their "Mission:Megavegas", 2 nights in Las Vegas at The Joint (Nick's favorite venue to play in) late April 1998 and, by chance, we happened to be staying at the same hotel as the band (St. Tropez, across the street from Hard Rock Hotel). Part of this experience was a guaranteed meet & greet w/ the entire band for about 70min before the 2nd show. To this day, this is the only time I've ever met an entire band. So when we got off the elevator to start the M&G I walked straight up to Nick & informed him of this fact. I thanked him for being there & he replied "well, it's my pleasure to complete your 'entire band' list'". During my conversation with him I mentioned that I'd caught one of the sticks he'd thrown out the night before but in the ensuing fight to walk away with it, my glasses had gotten knocked off my head & I had to let go. Upon hearing that, he hollered down to his drum tech & had the guy bring up a brand new, virgin pair of Nick Menza Megadeth sticks, still in the plastic bag. He then gave them to me (I STILL have them!) & said "here, now you don't have to worry about losing your glasses again". Later that night I got the entire band to sign my right arm, left the venue, had it tattooed in, showed back up, talked my way backstage & showed my fresh tattoo to the band. Since that night I've met Mustaine & Ellefson a couple times and spoke to Nick on the phone (more on that later). Amazingly, they all remembered me & the show in Vegas. But while I was out, knowing Nick is a huge fan of Roswell/Area 51, I got a glow-in-the-dark alien head mask & gave it to him after I showed him the tattoo. He thought that was hella awesome. Fast forward to 2006, Nick was offloading a bunch of his old Megadeth swag on eBay, and the incentive to win was that if you won you got a phone call from Nick to "ask him one question." I arranged to buy my pick of the laminates he had available (the page he sent me to choose from is still up menza.com/images/lam.jpg and I got 1, 2, 3, 4 & 12). During our phone call, what was originally supposed to be "one question" turned into a 45min conversation. Amongst other things, I got a lot of clarity on stuff, like his perspective on the origins to the lyrics to "Angry Again" and recited to him Dave's liner notes on the remastered Rust In Peace (he hadn't read them yet) and got his take on them. I also told him I was one of probably 100 people on the planet who'd read his Metal Sludge interview from 2002-ish & "got it" when his "name association" response to Dave Mustaine was "Mad Dog". Lastly, I reminded him of my arm tattoo and the alien head mask I'd given him 8yrs prior. He laughed & said his son had just been playing with that thing, and he remembered me for my tattoo. He closed by inviting me out to LA a couple weeks later for a record release party he was doing for Orphan(ed?) To Hatred with a further invitation to join him onstage for a jam session. Sadly I had to decline but it was really awesome to reconnect with someone I really admired. For a fan, it's one thing to meet your hero. It's another thing altogether when, if you get a chance to meet them again, even if it's just over the phone, they actually remember you. I have a short list of the celebrities I've met that are/were just super cool, classy, down-to-earth people I could hang out with regardless of their celebrity status. Nick Menza was absolutely on that list, right alongside David Ellefson, Chris Poland, Henry Rollins and Dimebag Darrell. Again, sorry I'm late responding to this, but I just find it difficult to believe for all the fans Nick met that not one of them has chimed in with an anecdote. Only the good die young, sadly, but when they do, it's incumbent upon us to reflect back to those who didn't know them just how good they were. People like Nick make this planet a better place to live. Hope everyone has a great day. And in Nick's words: UDDER DESTRUCTION!!! /W\

[@nelsonsirait]

Nick is my favorite Megadeth drummer.

[@jovanderafera4152]

Megadeth's legendary drummer...

[@SantyEscudero]

He's a legend and he'll never be forgotten

[@Jimboy1611]

Megadeth’s definitive line-up. Mustaine, Ellefson, Menza, Friedman.

[@adityakuttus]

Rust in peace nick menza...

[@alec666100]

Nick was my first favourite drummer. I mimic his drum parts to Rust In Peace to this day in my head. They were just as important as the guitar parts. I believe he was billed as playing Lead Drums. Rest in peace Nick Menza. All the best to your family, as a guy who knows what it's like to lose a father at a young age. Remember him, and never stop yourself from talking about him.

[@markem9415]

Legendary Drummer

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

I can't believe it has been one year since Nick passed away :-( He was even awesome enough to correspond with me :-) Nick Menza had a very unique way to use his percussion skills. R.I.P. Nick, we miss you. \m/ \m/ ROCK ON!!!!!!!

[@estigia]

RIP Nick we miss you brother!!!

[@bignosena5247]

R.I.P one of the most underrated and best drummer of all time.

[@jessegarcia8404]

Hands down..nick menza Was there best an last drummer that megadeth has ever had..I remember idealizing him an identifying his talent when I was 13 years old in 98'..I first heard him play the drum like no other... R.I.P N.M..MAY YOU RUST IN PEACE..

[@bcox709]

Nick was a beast!!! Also a hell of a cool guy he will always be my favorite metal drummer of all time RIP NICK MENZA 🤘

[@GlobalMetalHeads]

Drum Master, Drum Legend my hero Nick Master Menza

[@j0sefo]

RIP Nick drum hero

[@benwozniak8975]

I miss nick this made me shed a couple tears

[@flavy1000]

I just came into this...Thanks for sharing...and keeping this site on.. Every time I discover a new drum part from NIck´s I am more and more surprised...He had tremendosus groove...and energy.. Miss him a lot..RIP Nick...=)

[@Johnny.1965]

You were the best...and your work will live forever on one of the greatest thrash metal recordings of all time. ( rust in peace)

[@BraveBond]

R.I.P. Nick !!! You would always be remembered and missed by the Metal Fans and Hard Rock Fans around the world for \m/ Your Bests@Megadeth \m/

[@sicknessmusik]

Megadeth's Rust in Peace is a masterpiece also thanks to Nick's stellar performance. I stopped being really interested in Megadeth after his exit. Just not the same without him. Legendary heavy metal drummer. May he rest in peace.

[@rubenhernandez5794]

Nick Menza is one of the greatest drummers to ever walk the earth. Taken way too young, way too young. Sucks that Nick said Megadeth didnt show him any love when they tried to reunite. Rest easy Nick, you definitely made your mark on this earth! Your drumming with live on, thats for sure.

[@1gbayfisher]

Nick Menza, one of the greatest metal drummers the world will ever see. Miss him so much.

[@nicolabraybrooke6732]

We Will Never Forget You Bro.

[@cynthiaelizabethgaleano8938]

De todos los bateristas de megadeth ,Nick fue y siempre será un grande Q.E.P.D 💪✊

[@psychokid10]

R.I.P and tanks for all the fine albums ....

[@dorisg.3]

The best Drummer forever!...God bless you all..🙏🏽🕊😢☀️

[@nacho4336]

Rust in peace Nick Menza

[@huntergeorge3909]

Nick Menza will always be one of my favorite drummers. No cooler drumming video than the Five Magics soundcheck video with him, Marty and David Ellefson. love his energy in live videos and raw sound on the albums. RIP!

[@TheGearsofwar2010]

Damn, that was sad to watch but a great tribute to an amazing force in metal. RIP Nick bro

[@Billy-bd2oe]

Seeing his to boys at the end, I almost lost it...great kids, i wish them both all the best the world has to offer til they get to be with their dad again. Megadeth with Nick, those glorious years, those 4 albums, wow, best ever...RIP brother Nick!

[@jivetalklive7574]

Much love and thoughts with Nick's family today. Rest in heaven Nick we all miss you very much

[@dougcook34]

So sorry to hear what happened going to miss the best drummer that we all grow up with rest in peace

[@jasonlee8497]

What a great guy! His two sons are obviously nice people. Maybe soon we'll be hearing new music from them.

[@Noitavasara]

Poor Nick.... Died way too early. My childhood drumming hero, well, he still is. I remember back when I was kid when I frist time heard Rust In Peace, I copied it from a tape my cousin had which was a copy of a copy of a copy, the sound was terrible. But oh my gods how that drumming hit me like a sledge hammer. I had already heard Countdown and Youthanasia, but Rust In Peace was something that blew my mind. The first thing I did was to practice the intro of Take No Prisoners. I think I was around eleven/twelve years old at that time. I was so proud, none of my friends could play that back then. Nick's drumming was the biggest push for me to grab the sticks myself. I saw a kind of documentary about Megadeth playing in Helsinki on Youthanasia tour, I had already heard the music way before, but when I saw the videos of Nick playing live, it just hit me, I want to be like that guy. And I wanted two bassdrums and those huge power toms. Oh and I'm a Yamaha freak, that's Nicks fault too. ;) I saw some picture which I think was from Rust In Peace tour and Nick had really cool Yamaha Rock Tour kit with the huge Yamaha logos on the bassdrums. Few years after I got my first Yamaha drumkit and I never looked back. When I heard that Nick had died it felt like a good friend just passed. He's my drumming hero and a huge inspiration.

[@Cherryberrygirl89]

Thank you for the beautiful tribute! Nick Menza was the best drummer Megadeth had. Period. RIP Nick. You will be missed and I am so glad I had the opportunity to talk with him on Facebook. I wonder which Megadeth album was his favorite?

[@xga3]

He was one of my inspirations to take the drums, was an incredible artist. He will never been forgotten, every now and then when I sit on the drums remember some songs of the Megadeth Nick Menza Era, always have something to learn from him. Very sad he's not in the rock stages anymore.

[@magicsteve5523]

Rust in peace Nick, you will not be forgotten

[@Sandiego812]

A very delayed reaction to Nick’s death for me due to a recent and very vivid dream. Not following up to catch up in 2011 is now one of my greatest regrets. I know that expression at around :49 :). Nick was a unique being on so many levels. If aliens were ever going to appear it was definitely going to be at Nick’s place. Also, if my car was going to get broken into... that would also be at Nick’s place. I didn’t fully appreciate his musical skills back then and I didn’t know him in his later years. Enjoying the content on KZbin and I look forward to the book. I bet Nick was a great Dad and tree hugger. Thank you for maintaining this channel and sharing and providing a place for friends to share. I tried to look up Juan on Nick’s Facebook but only Nick would know 28 Juans!! Thanks for the quick Dreamtime visit ! 100% life altering. So many memories revived. Would love to share them all! RIP Nick 👽

[@Captaintripps1]

He was truly the best drummer that megadeth had it was a shame how he was treated by Dave I really looked up to nicks drumming as a kid and to me I thought he was one of the best drummers as a child and was very very fortunate to see Nick Mensa cryptic writings on the wall tour Indiana 1998 life of agony ,coal chamber ,and megadeth Egyptian room awesome show for me R.I.P Nick

[@skiddysgarage]

Wow, it's already been a year, hard to believe it's been that long since he's passed.

[@elvissorna8861]

RIP Nick. You're always in our hearts.

[@heftyalan1152]

Megadeth have never replaced Nick Menza. Just listen to that solid groove and way he uses double bass more sparingly helps to keep the music from all sounding the same unlike most of the later thrash drummers who play the same repetitive 16th notes. Nick could play everything from jazz to Bonham style grooves so he knew when to add in the double bass and when to leave it out and in his area of musicality that makes him a drummer's drummer. A thrash drummer who could groove. Unbelievably talented. No coincidence he played on Megadeth's best albums Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia. Rust in Peace without a doubt was their Magnum opus and the introduction of Nick Menza boosted Megadeth beyond where they were previously capable. Dave talks about Gar Samuelson with such affection but as a drummer not a patch on Nick Menza. Also fired for not having cancer but he had a lump on his leg, had it removed and only found out later it was benign so I think Dave got that one wrong. Really you want Nick Menza on as many albums as possible and such a shame that line up never re-united in 2014. Hard to believe his last album with Megadeth was 20 years ago. Also not sure if anyone ever listened to his work with OHM with Chris Poland but showed a lot more technical skills in different time signatures. One of the biggest compliments I can give is whatever area he played he just sounded like he belonged. I was surprised just how naturally he fitted into OHM with his background in Megadeth. Some rockers when they play jazz sound like rock drummers playing jazz but Nick Menza sounded like a jazz drummer. A rare talent as shown by the huge range of contributors from thrash musicians to classic punk musicians in Tiny Bubz. Anthony Biuso also an excellent drummer.

[@Hellion73]

...RIP Nick, legendary drummer...

[@texasturner2313]

Nick's drumming will always be remembered, especially on one of the best Metal albums of all time, Rust In Peace. His drumming was definitely one of a kind. The Rust InPeace album would not have been near as good without Nick. Just a HUGE influence on my musical life.

[@achilles1977]

Awesome video! Very touching. Still think about his passing all the time. Nick will always be my Megadeth drummer. R.I.P.

[@WarrenRCG]

Thank you, Nick. Miss you bad.

[@EddieJorgeDrummer]

Thank you for sharing this video. Nick was the reason that I first picked up sticks. My set up to this day is based of his set up and I play Pearl drums​ because he did. Still have a framed Pearl advertisement on my wall 20 years later, the custom sticks the logo, and my style on the kit is an carbon copy of you... thank you for your passion Nick.. seeing you play live ment the WORLD to me. You are missed daily.. rest in peace

[@obliub]

Nick forever... RIP legend.

[@mayilgodi6527]

Nick Menza.. Me, fans, Friends,the world who knows you always loves you.. n I miss you so much.. I have seen alot of drummer but you are unique..you always The best for me..rip my dear brother...🙏 U r legend...

[@danielllanos547]

1 año y seguimos recordando a nick y su talento. gracias por compartir a esta inspiración para los bateros y seguidores en general

[@jamescampbell2829]

A great musician

[@mreous333]

I was infatuated with Megadeth from Youthanasia until Cryptic Writings. The drums tracks of songs like Sweating Bullets, Angry Again, and Symphony of Destruction are my favorite and in the last 2 years I learned to play them. I had two lessons with Shawn Drover regarding those songs, but would have loved to meet and have lessons with Nick. In a list of maybe the 20 most influential drummers, Nick would be in the top 3, if not #1. R.I.P Nick Menza!

[@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff]

I still can;t believe it. Thanks for making this!

[@AlexVinchenzo]

Still can't belive that he has died...

[@bradking658]

Hope you are well God loves you deeply Shalom ✝️🤟✌️❤️🕊️🔥🤗🐼❤️🎸🌹💐🌻🌼💮💜💙💚💛♥️🧡

[@Hazardteam]

Rest in Peace Nick :(

[@rmaxwellk]

thanks for the commemorative vid. hes a huge inspiration for my getting into drums. he’ll be deeply missed. rip nicky!

[@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff]

Great tribute all.

[@rinaldodaveiga]

Thank U for sharing this video..... Nick Menza I LOVE YOU!!

[@davidcurtis4478]

Love ya Nick! Miss ya brother! Dedication of Holy Wars for Nick in my Channel. Best drummer for Megadeth! Miss ya man! DC

[@amitcornelius]

I thought of each and every band like Slayer, Metallica, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Exodus, and other bands who couldn't play with their classic line up to be very unlucky and on the other hand I found bands like Black Sabbath, GNR to be fortunate enough to have all their classic line-up members to be alive. Right until Nick's death I always wanted Megadeth to rehire Nick to just listen to his drumming but I have to say Mustaine has dropped the ball. If he always wondered about his exit from Metallica and yet ignore the people he has blatantly fired from his band under his management shows Metallica were absolutely correct in firing him.

[@paulpatton7621]

Mustaine is a wet turd drunk

[@amitcornelius]

I totally agree with it, isn't it thought provoking that none of the members who've quit megadeth have any interest in joining Mustaine's band again. Well, he has to pull his socks up and be a better person.

[@spinsk5071]

Paul Patton nick wouldnt be so famous If mustaine didnt invite him to the band

[@ShadowmakeResistance]

i'm the 10.000 th, like i said before, i owe a lot to Nick Menza for his inspiration,through Rust, Countdown and Youthanasia, also for having the same drum model he used on the Rust in peace, tour and also album i think (a japan company that built all musical instruments.....)so thank you Nick for all you have done for the music !!!

[@mariow.4311]

I was hoping just once I would get to see Marty and nick join back just for 1 concert and play something like holy wars, tornado of souls and five magics. I hope Marty could at least do 1.

[@hugofalken1737]

Nick Menza 👏

[@justincopple8222]

RIP Nick Menza

[@Bricklinsv1970]

RIP Bro!!

[@jcdrums2798]

RIP nick

[@paulpatton7621]

Very well done tribute to a true drum god. R I P Nick you are very missed in the music world :( Is that Nick playing drums on this song? kick ass tune

[@psychokid10]

Rip MEGAMENZA

[@franciscirasunda9293]

RIP

[@user-cl4yo3qt1i]

The opening song is great - what is it?

[@DarioViolate]

Sufosia - Memory Lane. That's my band, check us out on facebook!

[@paulpatton7621]

Makes me wonder what Nick and Rob from Death Angel would of sounded like if they ever got that band together Rob talks about in this video. Does anyone no if Is that Nick playing drums on this song? Looking foward to hearing more from this band with Nick

[@sufosia]

Unfortunately no. Nick only recorded one original track with us.

[@Ariana-cl2zk]

I just found out that Nick Menza is my cousin

[@nima665]

somebody telling jason bittner that the "so far so good's" drummer was chuck behler! so it's normal if you got disappointed!

[@HighBestkillerROBLOX]

Why did he have to die?

[@LeandroNCoppi]

Commemorates?

[@dagi678]

whats the first song?

[@NickMenzaofficial]

Name of the song is "Memory Lane" by SUFOSIA the band Nick joined before he passed.

[@dagi678]

Thanks ^^

[@TheGearsofwar2010]

Also what's the song at the beginning? Really liked it

[@NickMenzaofficial]

Name of the song is "Memory Lane" by SUFOSIA the band Nick joined before he passed.

[@TheGearsofwar2010]

Thank you. I really miss Nick's playing. Hope his family and friends are coping. Any updates on his book?

[@paulpatton7621]

SUFOSIA is a really good band. Vocally this song reminds of the METALLICA black album and guitar reminds me of Tom Morello

[@sonnyrocker]

How come I can't find anything about the song Memory Lane when I google? What album is this song on?

[@NickMenzaofficial]

The song was written by Sufosia the band Nick joined and wrote a few songs with before he passed. it was also dedicated to Nick, Stay tuned for more details.

[@sander6931]

Those fidget spinners are everywhere...