Dave Mustaine Takes Another Shot at Nü-Metal: “Thank God That Genre Went Away”

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has never been shy about his disdain for nü-metal. Over the years, the thrash metal icon has taken shots at the genre, which has seen a resurgence in recent times. Back in 2022, he reflected on the movement, stating:

“I can’t tell you how much we would laugh about the bands that we were forced to take out on tour with us, especially during the nu-metal period that we went through years ago. You know, all these bands that wouldn’t play solos and stuff.”

One of the bands thought to have been on the receiving end of Mustaine’s criticism is nü-metal pioneers Korn. The two bands shared the road in 1995, though Korn frontman Jonathan Davis recalled their time together as difficult. Speaking with ExploreMusic in 2011, Davis said:

“It was hard touring with Megadeth because at that time Dave Mustaine was really mean and just had attitude. It was scary being on there. I was drinking at the time and I got him drinking again, which I shouldn’t have done, but that was Dave Mustaine and I was this young, little kid, and I’m like, ‘That’s Dave Mustaine and he wants to drink. I’ll give him a drink.’

I respected him and everything, but I kind of got my feelings hurt, because he was mean at times. I don’t have any ill will towards the guy now, ’cause you know how it is — now you’re older and you’re wiser — but at the time it was really scary. And plus, we were pissed off at getting all these metal tours.”

In a new interview with LifeMinute, conducted alongside his family, Mustaine once again took aim at the genre, dismissing it outright. When asked about the impact of music, he said [transcribed by Blabbermouth.net]:

“It depends. If you believe all of the colloquies about music, there’s all kinds of sayings and stuff. The one that comes to mind first with your question is music soothes the savage beast. And I don’t know who coined that phrase, but it’s pretty accurate, depending on the type of music.

Now, if you play modern metal with the guys that can’t sing and they do the screaming bit, that’s really understandable to me, ’cause they can’t sing and they’re making the best of what they can do.

There was a period in 2000 where we had these bands called — I think it was ‘nü-metal,’ and they didn’t do any solos. Well, why didn’t they do any solos? They couldn’t do solos. And thank God that genre went away. People started to learn how to do solos. I would say, if you’re in a ‘nü-metal’ band, you probably would be challenged even playing ‘Johnny B. Goode‘ [Chuck Berry’s 1958 classic]. So I’m glad that went away.”

When asked if there were any new artists he enjoyed, Mustaine added:

“Well, I like some of the older music because new stuff — I mean, all the good chords are taken. And if you think back when I started 40 years ago, the music playing field didn’t have millions of kids sitting at home doing guitar riffs into their computer and then posting it online.

There’s good and bad with everything, and when people do things for their own art, that’s great. But when you start seeing these manufactured records that band members didn’t play on, that’s fraud. So, I like bands that really play what they do.

One of my favorite guitar players is one of the simplest guys in the world — it’s the guy from Pink Floyd, David Gilmour. He could do more with one note than some of the guys playing nowadays can do with 12. And it’s just a matter of feeling.

The guitar, you’re touching it, so it’s an extension of your spirit, your soul, and how you make it sound. If it’s like [makes farting noise], that kind of stuff, well, you probably haven’t bonded with the instrument yet.”

Despite Mustaine’s continued disdain for the genre, it’s worth noting that Megadeth sharedthe stage with nü-metal heavyweights Mudvayne as recently as last year.

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