The legendary Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is renowned for his candid opinions, especially when it comes to the world of music. In a recent interview with Lifeminute TV, he openly shared his thoughts on one of the most controversial subgenres in metal: nu-metal. His insights provide a fascinating glimpse into his musical philosophy and preferences.

Unpacking Mustaine’s Critical View on Nu-Metal

During the engaging interview—now available on YouTube since March 20—Mustaine, alongside his wife Pamela and daughter Electra, discussed their family venture, the House of Mustaine wine business. However, as expected, the conversation quickly shifted towards music, where Mustaine did not hold back in expressing his views on nu-metal.

He reflected on a specific era in the early 2000s, stating, “There was a period where bands labeled as ‘nu-metal’ emerged, and they notably lacked guitar solos.” He elaborated:

“Why were solos absent? It seemed they couldn’t perform them, and honestly, I’m relieved that genre faded away. Musicians began to rediscover the art of the solo. I mean, if you’re in a nu-metal band, I doubt you’d be able to handle playing [Chuck Berry’s] ‘Johnny B. Goode.’ So yes, I’m thankful that nu-metal is no longer prevalent.”

READ MORE: The ‘Unique’ Dave Mustaine Guitar Technique Marty Friedman ‘Never Got Good At’

Exploring Mustaine’s Perspectives on Modern Music

When asked about any contemporary bands he enjoys, Mustaine responded thoughtfully: “I prefer some of the older music because it seems like all the good chords have been utilized.”

He continued to share his reflections:

“Reflecting on my journey from 40 years ago, the music landscape was vastly different. Back then, there weren’t millions of kids at home creating guitar riffs and sharing them online. While there are advantages and disadvantages to this evolution, the authenticity of art is paramount. It’s disheartening to see manufactured records where band members are not genuinely contributing, as that feels deceptive. I appreciate bands that truly play and embody their music.”

“One of my all-time favorite guitarists is the incredibly talented David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. He manages to convey more emotion with a single note than many modern players can achieve with a dozen. It’s all about the feeling. The guitar should resonate with your spirit and soul, creating a sound that reflects your connection to the instrument. If what you produce sounds mechanical, then it’s clear you haven’t yet formed that bond with your guitar.

Learning to play the violin can be an arduous journey, as it often produces some of the most challenging sounds to listen to during the learning phase. The initial sounds of a violin, combined with the challenge of getting the bow properly rosined, can be nearly as unpleasant as the early stages of learning a wind instrument, like a saxophone or clarinet.

Mustaine was further prompted to share his thoughts on the impact of music on individuals.

He replied:

“It varies greatly. If you consider various sayings about music, one that resonates with me is, ‘Music soothes the savage beast.’ I’m not sure who originally said that, but it holds true depending on the genre of music in question. For instance, modern metal featuring vocalists who engage in screams is somewhat understandable, as they may lack traditional singing skills, and are doing their best with what they have.”

Mustaine’s Ongoing Commentary on Nu-Metal

Mustaine’s critical stance on nu-metal isn’t new; he has voiced similar opinions multiple times. For instance, in 2022, Loudwire reported on his remarks during an interview with 89.5FM WSOU, where he described how Megadeth often found humor in the nu-metal bands they toured with in the late 1990s, amidst a shifting metal landscape:

“We encountered numerous situations where we were pressured into certain decisions, presented almost like, ‘This is how it is.’ I can’t express how much we laughed at the bands we were compelled to tour with, particularly during the nu-metal era we experienced years ago. These were bands that shunned solos and lacked the musicianship we valued.”

Notably, Megadeth shared the stage with prominent acts like Coal Chamber, Korn, and Static-X. Mustaine’s consistent critique of nu-metal highlights a deep-seated belief in the importance of guitar solos and musicianship, as noted by Blabbermouth, where he has expressed similar sentiments on numerous occasions.

What are your thoughts on Dave Mustaine’s latest critique of nu-metal and his broader views on music? Are you a fan of nu-metal? If so, which bands resonate with you?

We would love to hear your opinions!

Additionally, you can check out Mustaine’s complete interview with Lifeminute TV below.

Watch Dave Mustaine Discuss Nu-Metal and More with Lifeminute TV