Dave Mustaine: ‘I Got Over Metallica Using My Songs’
In a recent interview, Dave Mustaine opened up about one of the most contentious chapters of his career—his early contributions to Metallica and how he eventually made peace with the fact that they continued to use his songs after his departure. Mustaine, who was fired from Metallica in 1983 just before the release of their debut album *Kill ‘Em All*, had written or co-written several tracks that became foundational to the band’s success.
Reflecting on the initial frustration, Mustaine admitted that for years he struggled with the idea that his work helped launch Metallica while he was no longer part of the band. “It used to eat me up inside,” Mustaine revealed. “I felt like I had a hand in shaping their early sound, and after I was fired, they continued to use the songs we wrote together. That really bothered me for a long time.”
The songs in question, including classics like “The Four Horsemen” and “Jump in the Fire,” were co-written during Mustaine’s brief but significant time with the band. After being replaced by Kirk Hammett, Metallica went on to achieve massive success, and Mustaine watched from the sidelines as tracks he helped create became fan favorites. “I was angry and bitter,” he recalled. “I thought, ‘How can they play those songs without me?’ But over time, I realized that holding onto that anger wasn’t doing me any good.”
With the formation of Megadeth in 1983, Mustaine channeled his frustration into building a career that would rival Metallica’s. However, it took him years to fully come to terms with the past. “It took a long time to get over it,” Mustaine confessed. “But eventually, I realized that the songs belonged to both of us. I helped create them, but Metallica brought them to the world in a way that I couldn’t at the time.”
In recent years, Mustaine has spoken more positively about his contributions to Metallica’s early success. “At the end of the day, I’m proud of what I wrote with them,” he said. “I don’t have the same animosity I used to. I’ve grown, and I think Metallica has too. We’ve all moved on, and I’m just happy that people still love those songs.”
Mustaine’s journey toward acceptance has been marked by personal growth and a recognition of the impact his work had on both bands. “I’ve come to peace with it,” he concluded. “What matters now is that both Metallica and Megadeth have left their mark on the world of metal, and I’m proud to have been a part of both.”
