Megadeth consists of Al Pitrelli (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, accoustic guitar), Dave Mustaine (vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, accoustic guitar), David Ellefson (bass guitar), Jimmy Degrasso (drums and percussion).
Megadeth is an American speed/ thrash metal band led by Dave Mustaine. The group was formed in 1983, disbanded in 2002, and reformed in 2004.
Shortly after lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica due to alcohol problems and personality conflicts, Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson formed Megadeth. As Mustaine himself says, "I could only focus on one thing [after being kicked out of Metallica]: I wanted blood... theirs." After searching for a vocalist and not finding what he wanted, Mustaine became the band's singer and primary lyricist as well as the main songwriter and lead guitarist. The band soon added jazz fusion drummer Gar Samuelson and guitarist Kerry King (of Slayer fame). King was only a temporary member, covering a handful of live dates. He was replaced later the same year by Chris Poland, a friend of Gar's.
In late 1984, they were signed to Combat Records, and in May 1985 they released their first album, entitled Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!. The band had been alloted $8,000 to record and produce the album, but spending half of that budget on drugs, the sound quality left much to be desired. The band was forced to fire their original producer and produce the album themselves. Even with its somewhat poor production, Megadeth's debut was a well-received album that blended elements of thrash, speed metal and punk rock.
In November 1986 they released their second album, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?, which is regarded by many critics as Megadeth's finest hour and a ground-breaking thrash metal album. Better production and more sophisticated songwriting earned Megadeth immense respect and cemented their place alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax in the " Big Four of Thrash". Later that same year, Megadeth signed with Capitol Records, who also bought the rights to Peace Sells... from Combat.
