As many of us know Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine is also one of the founders of the most successful metal band of all time Metallica. After being brutally kicked out of the band just a day before recording ‘Kill ‘Em All’ (and using his music by the way), Dave Mustaine returned to Los Angeles to form another heavy metal legend Megadeth. A huge motivation for Mustaine was to better his former band for spite (although the personal rivalry has cooled a bit over the years). Which is what drives the band through their first three records despite inhuman intakes of various hard drugs. So the question was and still stands. Who is the stronger metal band? Is it the chug of Metallica or the technicality of Megadeth?
Before going further I’m just going to lay it out from my point of view. Megadeth can play, write and produce circles around Metallica. That’s my opinion, some disagree, but I’m going to defend it. Also, before I go into why Megadeth are a better band it should be stated that Metallica is excellent. I love them and I thought Hardwired was pretty good. But that’s just it. That’s where it ends. It ends with ‘pretty good.’ Whereas Megadeth are exceptionally excellent. In songwriting and technical skills. Again, not that Metallica don’t have a certain amount of musicianship. But don’t tell me that Lars Ulrich is a better drummer than Gar Samuelson or Nick Menza. He’s just not, it’s that simple. Although he is still alive so there’s credit for that. But a gift that Dave Mustaine possess is the ability to say ‘Ya know what? I’m a good guitar player and decent soloist. But I’m nothing compared to what’s out there. I should hire a second lead guitarist who can play circles around me.’ And that attitude pays off big time. Can you argue that Kirk Hammet is a better guitar player than Dave Mustaine? Sure. But you can’t argue that he’s better than Chris Poland, Marty Friedman or Chris Broderick.
But there’s more to music than just technical skill. There’s also feel and the ability to write strong, catchy songs. And honestly, for me, Megadeth wins there too. Metallica nailed it on ‘Ride the Lightning’ and ‘Master of Puppets’. But that’s sort of the end. ‘…And Justice for All’ is musically excellent, but the production sucks so hard that it takes you out of the album. And plus, Megadeth never made an album as bad as ‘St. Anger’. That’s actually a fact. ‘Metallica’ is well produced and has some great songs. But there’s just a little bit of thrash missing from the album. And if I hear ‘Enter Sandman’ one more time I’m going on a metal spiked baseball bat rampage. Whereas ‘Countdown to Extinction’ retains classic thrash tropes throughout. While at the same time crosses over into a mainstream audience. Plus, I always preferred Dave Mustaine’s snarl over James Hetfield’s frat house bro voice. Unfortunately it hasn’t held up as well. Again ‘Load’ and ‘Re-Load’ are good albums. But they’re not nearly as good as ‘Youthanasia’ and ‘Cryptic Writings’. Those are two of the most consistent albums from the 90’s.
And lets not forget output rate. Megadeth outdoes Metallica there no doubt. Since 2004 Megadeth have released six albums. One of them (Super Collider) isn’t particularly good. But ‘Endgame’ and ‘Thirteen’ rank among two of the best Megadeth albums. Both are stronger (particularly ‘Endgame’) than ‘Death Magnetic’ and ‘Hardwired’. And those are the only two albums Metallica have released in the past thirteen years.
So for me it ends there. Megadeth wins on technicality, songwriting and output. The only thing that Metallica wins in is that they’ve aged better in terms of how they sound live. And that’s actually something to really be proud of. So many of their peers are down tuning and losing vitality to their live shows. But Metallica keep soldiering onward like they always have. They’ve actually always been a better live band when it comes to vocals. I mean, way better. But at the end of the day for most of both bands careers, Megadeth is the better band. Despite what the sales show.
This a peak example of why I choose Megadeth over Metallica. There isn’t a solo like the one from ‘Tornado of Souls’ in any Metallica moment.
However, Metallica do have their showings. This gem from the self-titled still stands as one of my favorite Metallica songs. I wish they’d still play it.
Metallica is the better live band. This is literally from the other day. Full concert. They’re very generous with their live shows.
Megadeth at their peak were as good as Metallica live. This is the Wembley concert from 1990 during their prime. Just amazing. But they haven’t held up this kind of energy throughout their career like Metallica has. Again though, most of it is enough for now. Who knows, maybe Mustaine will get a voice coach and bring the vitality back to the Megadeth show. Feel free to indulge in these live performances.
So who do you prefer? Megadeth? Metallica? Like them both equally? Let me know!
I love Megadeth
Metallica was better until Megadeth made Rust in Peace