Part I Birth of Megadeth's "Rust In Peace" Lineup - The Marty Friedman Audition

Watch Marty Friedman audition for Megadeth in 1989. Friedman is seen playing "Wake Up Dead" with Mustaine, Ellefson and Menza, who would ultimately represent stability within the Megadeth lineup until 1998 when Menza left, followed by Friedman a year later. That lineup recorded four albums together, three of which were certified Platinum by the RIAA.
ITV UK rock show, Raw Power rare interview with Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson talking about tensions they had with Jeff Young and chuck Behler, the birth of the Rust In Peace lineup and how grateful, and excited to have Nick Menza & Marty Friedman join the band for what would turn out to be Megadeth's most successful lineup to date.
Prior to the departure of Jeff Young and Chuck Behler. The revamped lineup served up a lethal combination of aggression, energy and power...
In the 1980s, Megadeth's lineup was in constant turnover as Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson were unable to retain any one particular member for too long. By 1989, over a dozen other musicians had already been in and out of the band and in that same year, the thrashers auditioned Marty Friedman, who was making a name for himself as a hotshot guitar player in both Hawaii and Cacophony.
Megadeth's search for a new guitarist also found them auditioning members of bands from the local area Guns N' Roses, Heathen and Dark Angel, as well as members of Savatage, Annihilator and an 18-year-old Jeff Loomis, who would later join Sanctuary and then Nevermore.
Mustaine had even offered the gig to Dimebag Darrell of the then budding Pantera, who had yet to release Cowboys From Hell. Dime had one condition though that Megadeth also bring in his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul but declined because there were no spots for Pantera's drummer and Dimebag's brother Vinnie Paul.

[@NickMenzaofficial]

Thank you for all the continuous support and keeping Nick's and Megadeth's memories and legacy alive, It's deeply appreciated!

[@jasonlemere1683]

Nick was a monster drummer and a real down to earth man. Gone but never forgotten!

[@neuromancercyberpunk1984]

And in my opinion, the best and most technical thrash/speed record ever made. 1990 stuck the best formation and cohesion in a raw state. Nick Menza what you did will never be forgotten. 🤘💀☢️☠️🔥

[@radkesrods1184]

Nicks style sounds simple but its extremely difficult to duplicate

[@TheGabrielSevero123]

@@radkesrods1184 i think the only one who can duplicate his style is Eloy Casagrande, and let’s put in that way: Dirk Verbeuren is Gar Samuelson of this age and Eloy Casagrande is Nick menza of this Age, in terms of Drums of course

[@LeonLandgren-qt9pg]

​@radkesrods11true 84

[@chuckyinges]

I remembered reading that Marty would keep adjusting his tone knob when he's nervous. Well...If I knew this audition would make me a legendary guitarist forever, I would be nervous too.

[@mcathawk1490]

Whoever came up with the bumper sticker “Rust in Peace”…thank you sir, thank you so much

[@stormchoir77gaming49]

Dave standing there like: Marty this is Megadeth, it's hard and fast to play. Marty playing along casually: Bro, I was in Cacophony with Jason Becker,. You can't come close to that.

[@ghostlandgrand64]

Go Off!!!

[@tamingguppies]

Very true cacophony is more technical

[@enriquesoto6534]

Speed Metal Symphony!! 🙏🏿

[@tamingguppies]

@@enriquesoto6534 Go Off!

[@thesarratum]

After playing Cacophony songs, playing in Megadeth would be like cutting cucumber with a battle axe, but it did work man, it did work very well haha

[@kingaysa]

Everybody: Palm Muting Marty: Wrist Muting 🤯

[@jerry50bmg65]

Marty showed his skills in Budokan '23. Marty said it: Mustaine can pick the lineup for the task. This was an outstanding lineup for the task.

[@bermanramirez8306]

Nick was waiting for his chance, he knew he was the right drummer for Megadeth, and then Marty was the cherry on top of the cake.

[@skate4life2022]

Dave mustaine needs to hear this interview again. He’s become what he preached not to be here. So sad.

[@rejeancomeau77]

And the best Megadeth lineup in history was made. 🤘👽🤘

[@577buttfan]

This was the lineup that made me love Megadeth.

[@dancingdolls8]

Couldn't wait for the release of Rust In Peace! Had a mini Rust In Peace listening party when it was finally out. Then the Clash of Titans tour! Wow!

[@SilentScreamer413]

Megadeth has always been Dave Mustaine but with this lineup it was even more Megadeth. It was the best album, the best line up and the most powerful. After that it was still awesome but...

[@luisugalde6956]

I love how Nick would at times jump up his seat when playing.

[@truckerron]

Hands down, The best lineup of this band, Ever!!!

[@ROCKNINJA777]

Wake Up Dead is a metal masterpiece. Doesn't get the credit it deserves.

[@GimmeMoeDrums]

The best lineup ever! 🙏🏼💪🏻

[@ArcadeMusicTribute]

I'm so glad I saw this lineup live in 1995. I've seen them again in 2005 with a new line up and it was nothing like the 1995 gig. :3

[@jenholbrook]

The most solid lineup, Ever!! 🤘🏻

[@jasonlemere1683]

Dave Mustang plays complex rhythms, leads, and sings. Do you know how hard that is, not to mention touring and going day after day to different venues. Musical genius!!!

[@sepehr-9210]

Chuck Schuldiner and Jeff waters in 95:ha that's easy

[@toddventura7191]

It's crazy that Dave's singing is still so good after his cancer. He sounded incredible in Tokyo Nippon Budokan a few weeks back!!

[@richadambudgen7520]

The more i revisit Megadeth the more I appreciate Dave Mustaine’s genius. He really is a one off.

[@jasonlemere1683]

@@sepehr-9210 what’s easy?

[@jasonlemere1683]

@@richadambudgen7520 I have been listening to them since Peace Sells. Analog vinyl. If I did not have this music in my life, my life would suck.

[@brooks2198]

The most legendary lineup

[@jasonlemere1683]

Saw them on this tour in 91 as Clash of the Titans. Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax. Got a pick from Frank Bello of Anthrax. F’in great time.

[@Mr-mopar]

I saw clash of the titans, Alice and chains opened the gig and got booed off the stage..I saw the show in a place called great woods Massachusetts…anthrax closed the show,and my buddy Jim got in stage and jumped around with Scott until this massive man grabbed my small friend and launched him back at us..😂😂😂

[@8Junio76]

That is weird, because Frank Bello always plays with his fingers and not using picks.

[@jasonlemere1683]

I got the pick with his name on it. Maybe he had some made to throw out to the crowd.

[@jasonlemere1683]

@@Mr-mopar I saw them at Val Du Lakes in Mears Michigan. It was outside and had a fenced in area with 2x12 benches with row numbers at the end and circles that had numbers. There were 3 rows, left, center, and right. It sucked and I’m surprised they did not get ripped up. There were cops all along all 3 walls. Anthrax played I am the law for them. Alice In Chains was a fill in because the first opening band got hurt in an accident. No lights, shite sound and wrong group to play that to.

[@jasonlemere1683]

@@8Junio76 hey man. I can send you a screenshot

[@duncandistortion]

When this lineup formed they never looked back.

[@magnusjmvc8895]

Mtvis Time Capsule is just priceless. Thank you!

[@demonspoo]

What started my journey in metal for life Awesome

[@prettylitch1785]

Dave Mustain's Ego Project Bwahaha!! Why tf not?

[@GregRickard]

Marty probably thinking about what he's having for lunch the next day, given he just came off doing Cacophany with Becker.

[@Chad-xp4to]

This is so awesome!!!

[@drummindog]

Jason Becker almost had his time to shine as well. He’s still on my favorite post Van Helen DLR. Drop in the bucket, come on??!!! This lineup, this audition was magic. Love the Nick and Marty eta.

[@bones0608]

Seeing wake up dead played like that... In Marty's fucking AUDITION, the power and ferocity, Dave Mustaine just have known he'd struck gold. Incredible. What a line up that was. Never, ever to be topped imo. My 7 year old son is learning bass, drums and a bit of guitar and he watches Megadeth videos and IDOLISES Nick Menza. Tries to copy his drumming style already. I can't wait to show him this when I get home from work. tomorrow.

[@Mr-mopar]

Megadeth has been my favorite band since so far so good so what came out..

[@donnypaycheck9944]

Chuck Behler , shots fired

[@pablofernandes5188]

My favorite lineup!!! Always the best!! 👏🏻👏🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@anthonybryan6080]

Wait Owen Wilson played bass in megadeth!? Talented guy

[@drewrosecrans9728]

Rust in peace is beyond killer in 2023!!

[@tonym5715]

5:50 ahhhh how times have changed...

[@EMILIEN790]

Nobody knows what's going happen tomorrow )))

[@NewGamer101]

Love that guitar

[@AbiARDH.Official]

Super formation!! Best line up ever...

[@nuegenbajracharya]

Just watching Marty play those riffs with his right hand makes my hand hurt!!!

[@Sxuk]

Thats the Megadeth I love. #1

[@nineminus5050]

moment of miracle！！！！！

[@leosidharta6723]

Because i was a big fan of Nick Menza, i gave name my snake Menzo... He was the coolest drummer for sure.

[@carlosdelgado6897]

RIP Nick Menza awesome drummer and yes Marty was the sh*t he’s an awesome guitarist yes indeed the best Megadeth line up FOREVER period

[@FlipGuitarist80]

Marty And Nick in Megadeth was the best Megadeth lineup, period. All others can’t and won’t even come close. This was peak Megadeth! RIP Nick you’re missed.

[@monjah6440]

2 Fucking Great Awesome Handsome guy's on Megadeth

[@drewrosecrans9728]

They stayed hard core and never changed 🤘🤘🤘💯💯 unlike Metallica! Love Megadeth since 85 back in the day when I was in highschool my senior year! I saw them the following year in 86 Long Beach arena Long Beach CA 🤘🤘

[@fabianadirosa6949]

Eterno Nick

[@metalliholic]

And at the end of the day it was the Dave show lol

[@godsinbox]

did he bring his own amps to the audition? how did he get his quad boxes back from dave? any dogs involved?

[@EMILIEN790]

They were so young and handsome, and it was so long ago . Fantastic they are still doing the same thing. But Nick is missed for sure

[@Mechashiva76]

7:35 david ellefson trying to explain why rust in peace is such a significant album, but ends up explaining the timeless and irreplaceable significance of SFSGSW. despite how much people talk down that album, it's very significant. all of the songs are strong megadeth songs.... maybe 502 is the weakest. was never much of a fan of Anarchy, but that's just a cover so it doesn't count. it's a very intense, gnarly, dark album like Jr says and you can't just decide to go in the studio and produce something like that without being in a certain place in life.

[@nimaakhtarkhavari8766]

I love 502

[@Mechashiva76]

@@nimaakhtarkhavari8766 I like 502. don't get me wrong. I think it has some really cool riffs. I don't like how the car effects mute the band during the bridge... and the car horn crashing sound effects can be terrifying if you've zoned out while driving :D

[@xkmmx2132]

Ive seen this 1,000 times nothing new.

[@borisbrna]

nthe bestnajlepsia remains in the history of Megadeth, I have seen several times in my life and I am very happy. thanks to this lineup, my love for Megadeth started. It continues to this day

[@kevinnorman4496]

Y'all should listen to Jason Becker and Marty Friedman play together.

[@rafaelmorin8313]

Best Lineup ever

[@HoleLeashIt]

This is my Megadeth

[@MehtaKyaKehta]

I've analysed Cliff Burton's birth chart according to Vedic astrology and he had two extremely malefic combinations called Kaal Sarp Yog and Pitra Dosh. Look it up.

[@andysalter7192]

Ok..........what the hell does that mean ? You actually believe stars have anything to do with how someone's life goes ? That's ridiculous......

[@MehtaKyaKehta]

@@andysalter7192 The birth chart tells us EVERYTHING, including when a person will die and how. Vedic astrology is an extremely accurate science, unlike the joke that is Western astrology. Heard of Varg Vikernes? He too has Kaal Sarp Yog. The type he has says he would go to jail for 10+ years. Heard of Saddam Hussein? His chart says he'd be awarded the death penalty. I've made videos on 30 people who have Kaal Sarp Yog and other malefic combinations and will be making 70 more this year. You're being dismissive of what is currently beyond your understanding. I'm a filmmaker, black/death metal musician, writer, metalhead for 25+ years, and have a major in English literature. I was an atheist antitheist for 30 years. You think I'm a fool to study this stuff? I bet you don't know even your time of birth.

[@MehtaKyaKehta]

@@andysalter7192 Heard of Stevie Ray Vaughan? He too had Kaal Sarp Yog and Pitra Dosh. Heard of Ted Bundy? You people have psychologists telling you he has this disorder or that. Ted's birth chart says he'd have serious psychological disorders. Heard of Kobe Bryant? Peter Steele of Type O Negative? I'll be making videos on them next. Jason Newsted, Axl Rose, Charles Manson... Abraham Lincoln lol.

[@MehtaKyaKehta]

@@andysalter7192 Heard of Nelson Mandela, first President of South Africa? His birth chart according to Vedic astrology says he'd spend 20-30 years in jail and that he would have two-three broken marriages. Now tell me it's ridiculous. You think I'm a fool to spend hours analysing charts and buy books worth thousands of rupees and then make videos in English and Hindi so that people understand how serious these problems are? There's a guy on death row in Texas for almost 30 years now for a crime he didn't commit. How do I know? Because his chart says that there would be a conspiracy against him. He doesn't know it and neither do the people who are trying to save him. I emailed them but he is so unfortunate that his people, just like you, dismissed my information as nonsense and woo.

[@MehtaKyaKehta]

All the other Vedic astrologers only look at the charts of rich, famous and successful people. I make videos on the birth charts of people who were born cursed.

[@leosidharta6723]

This was the MegadetH best line up.

[@VulgarRage]

This is the best version of dave that ever existed. No hate, no revenge, respect for everyone in the band. Too bad in the end he just became what he preached not to be. How ironic. Megadeth is my favorite band thanks to this lineup and Ive met the band many times over the years but let me tell you one thing: Mustaine is a A-hole

[@rexbanner7611]

Marty Friedman could barely play the guitar because of tendinitis. Just before the recording of rust in peace a doctor told him to stop playing guitar altogether. When Friedman told him about the album, he said to only play for the recordings and then stop in between.

[@gregsimmons694]

MEGADETH rocks ! JESUS SAVES!

[@ninemia_metal]

🔥

[@freddieg1095]

I thought that this video was filmed after Marty had joined?? This wasn't his 'audition'?

[@ConanObrien22]

That V220 should be labeled as 'The thing who got Friedman on Megadeth' 😬

[@GlennBoB1969]

Hey this kid’s pretty good.

[@moullah3540]

It is still Dave’s ego project. Dave should listen and watch this video.

[@trident1314]

As much as like Megadeth, Dave is a two faced sanctimonious wanker!

[@jordiumethar4963]

The There is no doubt that it was a super team. super band

[@Sugar_K]

megaDave!!

[@abrahamali1288]

MegaDave

[@Japan_Silent_Walk]

👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@andysalter7192]

This wasn't a band , you paint Nick Menza green and it's a Avengers line up !

[@ivanbravo3819]

Marty es Dios

[@raumyurena5693]

I get the fact that Friedman is this virtuoso of a guitar player but frankly for me Mustaine, Ellefson, Samuelson and Poland are hands down by far the best Megadeth line up...

[@kronok5591]

As a "peace" officer I wouldn't go out there without a gun considering what you're up against. Still love Dave's ego tho.

[@jaybeatty2182]

Dave get junior back in the band.

[@FlipGuitarist80]

I’m pretty sure he’s happy he doesn’t have to pay Lomenzo as much as JR. More money for him. But Lomenzo is a kickass bass player anyway. I’d rather have Marty and Nick back in the band but he’s gone now. 😢

[@ludvig5597]

Fan theory: Megadeth is in fact... One Direction! 8:18 (I don't know how to make sense of it.)

[@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff]

4 minutes. Was that a dig at Jeff?

[@Rob78169]

Jeff and Chuck!!

[@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff]

@@Rob78169 Yeah pretty rough on Chuck there.

[@ali965]

@@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff That lineup was fantastic. SFSGSW is such a great album

[@wordzfailmebro]

👉🛸 🐨👍👍👍

[@cir1662]

Anvil copy! (intro)

[@robertsmith262]

Hey! Isn’t Wake Up Dead a song about marriage?🤔🤘🎶✌️

[@luisugalde6956]

Something like that, lol.

[@damageinc81292]

About sneaking out and cheating. Then coming back in the middle of the night wondering if she'll know and you end up waking up dead

[@yuwanagalihnugrahatama5124]

True story' about Wake Up Dead song is Heroine/Coccaine mountain party for Mustaine and Gar Samuelson

[@philippeheinis1448]

:O

[@drummindog]

Dave’s been less than kind to former members. I hope that changes.

[@tamingguppies]

Cacophony songs are more harder to play its too easy for marty to audition

[@Chavacano]

Megadeth is its own realm and style..it has its own place in metal, awesome band... glad Dave got ditched from Metallica... because otherwise Megadeth would never be....the world would not be as awesome without Megadeth...

[@buffdaddy2032]

Kiko is a much better addition to Megadeth

[@Strike666]

So, the best thrash metal album of all time was named after a dudes bumper sticker?? 🤣

[@jonatanpinadulucmusic]

"Dave Mstaine´s Ego Project" Hahahaha...Dude is incapable of saying something good about himself or the band without puting some one else down.

[@adamwarlock3530]

Dave should just stick to jamming. He's not very intellectual.

[@timothymartin2137]

Friends kept giving me this album, saying, Dude, you have to listen to it...I kept saying I did, he sounds like a hamster on crack or a chipmunk gone metal...and the guitars were so high and pitchy for the time...I finally got stoned enough to give it a shot and yeah...Megadeth had something...like Malmsteen, it took a little while to grow on me. (NOT a very long lived genre...thrash proper).