BUENOS AIRES — The "Junior" era of Megadeth didn't just end; it imploded. In a blistering new interview on the Quemar Un Patrullero podcast, former bassist David Ellefson has pulled back the curtain on his 2021 dismissal, calling out leader Dave Mustaine for "deflectionary" tactics and a lack of "human heart."
While the heavy metal world watched the fallout of a leaked private video in 2021, Ellefson reveals that the real tragedy wasn't the internet scandal—it was the death of a forty-year brotherhood.
The "Starbucks" Brotherhood vs. The Business
Ellefson painted a picture of a relationship that was, at its core, deeply personal. He recalled the years following his 2010 return as a time of genuine connection.
"There were periods of closeness as men, as brothers," Ellefson told host Gustavo Olmedo. "It was just me and him... at Starbucks drinking coffee, whatever. Those moments were genuine, they were sincere, they were heartfelt."
But that sincerity allegedly vanished during the sessions for the band’s 2022 album, The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!. Ellefson claims Mustaine grew resentful, eventually scrubbing Ellefson’s bass tracks and lyrics—specifically from the track "Soldier On!"—after his firing.
Ellefson didn't mince words comparing his treatment to Mustaine's own history: "When Dave got fired from Metallica, at least they kept his words and his music and they paid him... Dave wasn't so kind to me."
The Firing: "Nothing to Keep Away"
Addressing the 2021 scandal involving a leaked video with a 19-year-old Dutch woman, Ellefson remains steadfast that his dismissal was a "moral high ground" play by Mustaine rather than a necessity.
The Call: Ellefson says he told the band there was "nothing here" and it was "nonsense on the internet."
The Legal View: His attorneys reportedly called the band's handling of the situation "unconscionable."
The Deflection: Ellefson believes Mustaine’s public statement—which referenced "aspects of David’s private life"—was a calculated move to distance the brand from a non-existent legal threat.
"Drop the Rope"
The tension reached a boiling point recently when Mustaine suggested on Trunk Nation that he couldn't bring back former members for a farewell tour due to the "behavior of one person."
Ellefson’s response was blunt: "You know what? Fuck off. Just fuck off... I didn't do anything that would prevent me from coming back at all."
Despite the sharp words, Ellefson insists he has found peace where Mustaine has not. Comparing himself to his former bandmate, who famously spent decades vocalizing his grudge against Metallica, Ellefson says he is "set free."
"There’s two ways to win in tug of war," Ellefson quipped. "I either pull you over the line or I just drop the rope and let you fall on your ass. I’ve chosen to do — drop the rope."
