Kerry King on Dave Mustaine: Early Metallica Days, Megadeth, and Thrash Metal Memories

In a recent episode of the “Lipps Service With Scott Lipps” podcast, Kerry King, the legendary guitarist of SLAYER, offered a engaging look into his early experiences with METALLICA. Recalling the first time he saw the iconic band perform in 1982, King shared a memory that has stayed with him for decades.”I saw ’em with[then-[then-METALLICA guitarist] Dave Mustaine. And we opened for them,” King reminisced.”I think Mustaine was still in the band,at the place we used to frequent called the Woodstock [in Anaheim,California].”

King painted a vivid picture of the night, describing how he found himself seated between James Hetfield, METALLICA‘s frontman, and Ron McGovney, the band’s bassist at the time. “I was just blown away watching Mustaine just ripping on guitar and not even looking at his fingers,” he said.”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 whent with him.”

when asked if METALLICA‘s performance had inspired him to elevate his own music, King clarified that his creative vision was already taking form. “No, it didn’t have anything to do with seeing them doing it,” he explained. “We’d already known [about pioneering U.K. extreme metal band] VENOM and we were in the process of morphing what we had to that point to punky, VENOM, MOTÖRHEAD — kind of what they did before us.” However, he acknowledged that METALLICA had a unique, streamlined approach. “They had streamlined everything, and we were still working it out. But we went a far darker route than they did. And then they became the biggest metal band on the planet.”

King also touched on his current relationship with the members of METALLICA, including Dave Mustaine. “Mustaine‘s cool, but Mustaine‘s one of those guys that he can’t help but stick his foot in his mouth,” King said with a laugh. “So, I’ll take my 20 minutes and I’ll bolt just before anything gets uncomfortable.”

He went on to share his thoughts on James Hetfield, highlighting the rarity of their interactions despite their parallel careers. “It’s funny, James is one of those guys, even though we’ve got basically the same career, different circles, we did the [shows featuring the] ‘Big Four’ [of 1980s thrash metal], he made a point to come say ‘hey’ to us, but it’s funny that it hasn’t occurred in the 40 years we’ve both been doing this that I’ve rarely seen James,” King remarked. “Kirk [[Hammett, METALLICA guitarist]is cool, Rob [[Robert Trujillo, METALLICA bassist]is cool, Lars [[Ulrich, METALLICA drummer]is cool. We hang out when they feel like hanging out. Yeah, that’s all of ’em.”

Kerry King on Nearly Joining Megadeth and His Legacy with Slayer

In a revealing interview, Kerry King, the iconic guitarist of Slayer, shared a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in his career: the time he almost joined Megadeth. Known for his ferocious riffs and commanding stage presence, King reflected on how this near-miss coudl have reshaped the landscape of thrash metal.

When asked which band he might have joined if not Slayer, King’s response was immediate. “I was almost in Megadeth,” he revealed. “if Dave Mustaine and I could have co-existed for four years, it would have been a very different band. I’m not saying I’d have made them better—just different.”

King’s reflections on this moment are laced with both humor and curiosity. “At the time, I thought, ‘This is a huge learning opportunity,'” he said. “I also thought people would recognize me from Slayer.We were just starting out, playing in the Bay Area, so I figured if fans saw me, they’d think, ‘Slayer.’ I had Slayer’s best interests in mind. I didn’t go in thinking, ‘I want to be in Megadeth.’ Honestly,I don’t know how anyone lasts more than a couple of hours with Dave—he’s a wild guy.”

Despite the potential for creative clashes, King acknowledged that his early interactions with mustaine were positive. “He was cooler back then,” King recalled. “I think a lot has changed since then—drugs, life experiences, and all that. But those were good times. Playing the same venues Slayer did, but with a different sound. Dave’s music is intricate, but in a way that’s not my style. Even after jamming with him for months,I knew it wasn’t for me.”

Years later, King and Mustaine reunited on stage at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Global City, California, in october 2010. The two metal legends performed Megadeth’s classic track “Rattlehead,” thrilling fans and cementing the moment as a highlight in thrash metal history. the performance underscored the mutual respect between the two musicians, despite their divergent creative paths.

King’s journey with Slayer has left an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal. His reflections on nearly joining Megadeth offer a rare look into the “what-ifs” of music history, while his enduring legacy with Slayer continues to inspire generations of metal fans.

Kerry King Reflects on Slayer, Metallica, and the Thrash Metal legacy

In a rare and revealing interview, Kerry King, the legendary guitarist of Slayer, opened up about his storied career, his early encounters with Metallica, and the lasting impact of thrash metal on the music world. Known for his ferocious riffs and commanding stage presence, King shared insights into the formative years of one of metal’s most influential movements.

The night That Changed Everything: Metallica in 1982

One of the most pivotal moments in Kerry king’s career came in 1982 when he witnessed Metallica perform live for the first time. Reflecting on that night, King recalled, “I saw them at the Woodstock in Anaheim, California, back when Dave Mustaine was still in the band. Slayer actually opened for them that night.”

He vividly described the experience: “I remember sitting between James Hetfield and Ron McGovney, just watching Mustaine rip on guitar. He wasn’t even looking at his fingers—it was insane. I thought, ‘Man, I can’t do that.’ And to this day, Dave’s a badass guitar player. That performance left a huge impression on me.”

Forging Slayer’s Unique path

While Metallica’s performance was undeniably influential, King emphasized that it didn’t drastically alter slayer’s trajectory. “By that point, we were already morphing our sound,” he explained. “We were influenced by bands like Venom and Motörhead, and we were heading in a darker, more extreme direction.”

He continued, “Metallica had this streamlined approach that was impressive, but we were carving out our own path. They became the biggest metal band on the planet, and we went a different route—darker, faster, more aggressive.”

Dave Mustaine: A Intricate Relationship

when the conversation turned to Dave Mustaine, King offered a candid outlook on their relationship. “[Laughs] Dave’s cool, but he’s one of those guys who can’t help but stick his foot in his mouth,” King said. “I’ll hang out with him for about 20 minutes,and then I’m outta there before things get uncomfortable.”

Despite their differences, king expressed deep respect for Mustaine’s musical talent.”He wrote a lot of those early Metallica riffs, and when he left to form Megadeth, he took that talent with him.”

The Enduring Legacy of Thrash Metal

Kerry King’s reflections underscore the profound impact of thrash metal on the music industry. his journey with Slayer, marked by relentless innovation and a commitment to pushing boundaries, has cemented his legacy as one of the genre’s most influential figures.

While the world may never know how a collaboration between King and Mustaine would have sounded, one thing is certain: Kerry King’s contributions to thrash metal are undeniable. his story continues to inspire fans and musicians alike, proving that the spirit of metal is alive and well.

Final Thoughts

Kerry King’s journey is a testament to the power of individuality and artistic vision. From his early days watching Metallica to shaping Slayer’s iconic sound, King has left an indelible mark on the world of metal. As fans continue to celebrate his legacy, his story serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of thrash metal and the artists who define it.

Kerry King on Metallica, Megadeth, and the legacy of Slayer

Kerry King, the iconic guitarist of Slayer, recently opened up about his relationships with fellow metal legends, his near-miss with Megadeth, and the enduring impact of slayer on the thrash metal scene. His reflections provide a rare glimpse into the camaraderie, competition, and creativity that shaped one of music’s most explosive genres.

Kerry King and Metallica: A Casual Bond

Despite sharing the stage for over four decades, Kerry King and Metallica’s James Hetfield have rarely crossed paths. “It’s funny—James Hetfield and I have been in the same scene for 40 years, but we’ve rarely crossed paths,” king remarked. “When we did the ‘Big Four’ shows, he made a point to come say hi, which was cool.”

King also spoke fondly of Metallica’s other members, including Kirk Hammett, Rob Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich. “They’re all great guys. We hang out when they feel like hanging out, but it’s not like we’re best buddies or anything.” This casual camaraderie highlights the mutual respect among these titans of thrash metal, even if their paths don’t often intersect.

The Megadeth “What If” Moment

One of the most intriguing revelations from King’s interview was his near-collaboration with Megadeth. “Yeah, that’s a wild ‘what if’ moment,” he said. “I was almost in Megadeth. If things had gone differently, who knows? But Slayer was my home, and I’m proud of what we accomplished.”

King’s loyalty to Slayer ultimately defined his career,but the idea of him joining Megadeth remains a tantalizing “what if” in metal history.“Megadeth went on to do their thing, and we did ours. It’s all part of the thrash metal story,” he added, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these legendary bands.

Slayer’s Enduring legacy

when asked about slayer’s biggest contribution to metal, King didn’t hesitate. “I think we pushed the boundaries of what metal could be. We took it to a darker, more extreme place, and we never compromised. Slayer was always about being true to ourselves and our fans. That’s what made us stand out.”

This uncompromising approach cemented Slayer’s place in music history, inspiring countless bands and fans to embrace the raw, unfiltered energy of thrash metal. King’s pride in Slayer’s legacy is palpable, and his words serve as a testament to the band’s enduring influence.

What’s Next for Kerry King?

As for the future, King remains as enigmatic as ever. “I’m always working on something. I’ve got a few things in the pipeline, but I’ll keep those under wraps for now. Let’s just say I’m not done making noise.”

This cryptic tease has fans eagerly anticipating what’s next from the metal icon. Whether it’s new music, collaborations, or other creative ventures, one thing is certain: Kerry King’s passion for heavy music shows no signs of fading.

Conclusion: A Legend’s Reflections

Kerry King’s reflections offer a captivating look into the camaraderie, competition, and creativity that defined the thrash metal movement.His stories remind us why bands like Slayer and Metallica remain legends in the world of heavy music.

Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage of the music world.

How does Kerry King’s relationship with James Hetfield compare to his relationships with the rest of Metallica?

N we did the ‘Big Four’ shows, he made a point to come say ‘hey’ to us, but it’s funny that it hasn’t occurred in the 40 years we’ve both been doing this that I’ve rarely seen James.”

King, however, had nothing but praise for the other members of Metallica. “Kirk [Hammett] is cool, Rob [Robert Trujillo] is cool, Lars [Ulrich] is cool. We hang out when thay feel like hanging out. Yeah, that’s all of ’em.”

The Near-Miss with Megadeth

One of the most intriguing revelations from King’s interview was his near-collaboration with Megadeth. “I was almost in Megadeth,” King revealed. “If Dave Mustaine and I could have co-existed for four years, it woudl have been a very different band. I’m not saying I’d have made them better—just different.”

King reflected on the potential creative clashes with Mustaine,saying,”I don’t know how anyone lasts more than a couple of hours with Dave—he’s a wild guy.” Despite this, King acknowledged Mustaine’s talent and the respect he has for him as a musician. “He wrote a lot of those early Metallica riffs, and when he left to form Megadeth, he took that talent with him.”

Slayer’s Legacy and the Thrash metal Movement

King’s journey with Slayer has left an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal.Reflecting on Slayer’s unique path, King said, “We were influenced by bands like venom and Motörhead, and we were heading in a darker, more extreme direction. Metallica had this streamlined approach that was notable, but we were carving out our own path—darker, faster, more aggressive.”

He emphasized the importance of individuality in shaping Slayer’s sound and legacy. “We weren’t trying to be like anyone else. We wanted to create something that was uniquely ours, and I think we succeeded in that.”

Final Thoughts

Kerry King’s reflections offer a interesting look into the relationships, near-misses, and creative decisions that have defined his career. From his casual bond with Metallica to his near-collaboration with Megadeth, King’s story is a testament to the power of artistic vision and the enduring influence of thrash metal.

As fans continue to celebrate his legacy,King’s journey serves as a reminder of the impact that individuality and innovation can have on the world of music. Whether it’s through his work with Slayer or his interactions with fellow metal legends, Kerry king’s contributions to the genre are undeniable.