The reunion of ex-Metallica members won’t take place at Megadeth after all. Jason Newsted recently confirmed he’s not joining Dave Mustaine-fronted group despite multiple reports claiming that he will step in after the band sacked their bassists David Ellefson.
Newsted denied the rumors via an Instagram post made by his wife Nicole. “Jason is not joining Megadeth. Peace to them. Listen to metal,” Newsted wrote before explaining that her husband “does not have social media accounts.”
The news will most likely be a great disappointment for thrash metal fans, who were already excited about things that a Newsted-Mustaine team-up would offer. The possibilities were already hinted at back in 2013, when Newsted joined Megadeth on stage for a rendition of “Phantom Lord.”
Jason Newsted became Metallica’s bassist in 1986, replacing the late Cliff Burton. He recorded albums …And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, and Reload with the band before deciding to quit in 2001. Newsted wanted for the band to take a year-long hiatus at the time, so he could focus on his side projects, but his proposal was rejected. He would later work with bands Echobrain and Voivod while also touring with Ozzy Osbourne.
Dave Mustaine was Metallica’s lead guitarist between 1981 and 1983. He is credited with co-writing six of the band’s early songs but was kicked out of the band before the group recorded their debut album. Mustaine formed Megadeth shortly after.
