Unearthed after more than a decade, never-before-seen 2014 drum-cam footage of the late Nick Menza, legendary Megadeth drummer, has been released, showcasing a dynamic behind-the-kit playthrough of the band’s iconic track, “Lucretia”.
Filmed at his private Disintegrator Studios in Studio City, California, this intimate footage captures Menza rehearsing and preparing for what he hoped would be a Megadeth reunion featuring the Rust In Peace lineup with Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, and Marty Friedman. Though the reunion ultimately failed to materialize due to financial disagreements.
Nick Menza’s potential return to Megadeth as part of the classic Rust In Peace lineup in 2014–2015 fell through due to a perceived unfair contract offer. Menza had been approached by Mustaine and Ellefson in late 2014 to replace Shawn Drover and had even recorded drum tracks for new Megadeth songs that later became part of Megadeth’s fifteenth studio album, Dystopia. However, when it came time to negotiate his contract, he was offered terms he considered “very unfair,” leading to the deal short. The album was ultimately recorded and released with former Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler behind the kit.
Nick Menza said, “To my fans, I hate disappointing all of you who have been asking and hopeful that Marty Friedman and I would rejoin Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson to resurge the classic Rust In Peace lineup.
“I was totally ready and excited to get back in Megadeth. I went to Dave’s house/studio in San Diego this past December and we jammed for the weekend and it was totally cool. We instantly fell right back into our musical groove together.
“We have great chemistry. It’s a magical thing! And, yes, that’s me, the ‘mystery’ drummer whose face is hidden in the YouTube videos Justis Mustaine Dave’s son posted as seen below.
“A few weeks after this, we all got together with our old manager Ron Laffitte for a dinner meeting at the Anaheim White House restaurant during NAMM. It was great seeing Ron and Marty. We all talked about the plans for a new record and touring and I made it known I was into rejoining and making this my priority. I was pumped, and even went as far as recording drums on five new Megadeth songs Dave had sent me.
“As soon as I got home and it was time to sit down and negotiate my terms in writing, I was offered a very unfair deal that was so wrong. They didn’t feel I was worth anything to the band. Dave blocked my emails, changed his number and then, apparently, Ron Laffitte was fired as the band’s manager. Here is one of my favorite bands and a huge part of my life achievements and I was shut out for wanting a fair deal.
“I am really blown away how this band conducts business.
“A band is about a group of people who have respect for one another, sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and, most of all, honor and trust!
“I’m not a puppet. I have integrity, loyalty, and honor. That’s who I am!
Today marks nine years since Nick Menza tragically passed away behind his kit on May 21, 2016, after collapsing from a heart attack during a performance with his band OHM featuring former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and bassist Robertino “Pag” Pagliari at The Baked Potato in Studio City. This release stands as both a heartfelt tribute to his legacy and a significant archival moment for fans, friends, and the global metal community. Upon arrival at the hospital Menza was pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Nick Menza rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal’s fiercest drummers during Megadeth’s commercial peak spanning a decade. Reflecting on his career, Nick cited the highlight as performing at Rock in Rio before an audience of over 100,000 people. Yet, his journey also faced hardship he was fired by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine while still recovering in a hospital bed following surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.
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Filmed at his private Disintegrator Studios in Studio City, California, this intimate footage captures Menza rehearsing and preparing for what he hoped would be a Megadeth reunion featuring the Rust In Peace lineup with Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, and Marty Friedman. Though the reunion ultimately failed to materialize due to financial disagreements.
Nick Menza’s potential return to Megadeth as part of the classic Rust In Peace lineup in 2014–2015 fell through due to a perceived unfair contract offer. Menza had been approached by Mustaine and Ellefson in late 2014 to replace Shawn Drover and had even recorded drum tracks for new Megadeth songs that later became part of Megadeth’s fifteenth studio album, Dystopia. However, when it came time to negotiate his contract, he was offered terms he considered “very unfair,” leading to the deal short. The album was ultimately recorded and released with former Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler behind the kit.
Nick Menza said, “To my fans, I hate disappointing all of you who have been asking and hopeful that Marty Friedman and I would rejoin Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson to resurge the classic Rust In Peace lineup.
“I was totally ready and excited to get back in Megadeth. I went to Dave’s house/studio in San Diego this past December and we jammed for the weekend and it was totally cool. We instantly fell right back into our musical groove together.
“We have great chemistry. It’s a magical thing! And, yes, that’s me, the ‘mystery’ drummer whose face is hidden in the YouTube videos Justis Mustaine Dave’s son posted as seen below.
“A few weeks after this, we all got together with our old manager Ron Laffitte for a dinner meeting at the Anaheim White House restaurant during NAMM. It was great seeing Ron and Marty. We all talked about the plans for a new record and touring and I made it known I was into rejoining and making this my priority. I was pumped, and even went as far as recording drums on five new Megadeth songs Dave had sent me.
“As soon as I got home and it was time to sit down and negotiate my terms in writing, I was offered a very unfair deal that was so wrong. They didn’t feel I was worth anything to the band. Dave blocked my emails, changed his number and then, apparently, Ron Laffitte was fired as the band’s manager. Here is one of my favorite bands and a huge part of my life achievements and I was shut out for wanting a fair deal.
“I am really blown away how this band conducts business.
“A band is about a group of people who have respect for one another, sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and, most of all, honor and trust!
“I’m not a puppet. I have integrity, loyalty, and honor. That’s who I am!
Today marks nine years since Nick Menza tragically passed away behind his kit on May 21, 2016, after collapsing from a heart attack during a performance with his band OHM featuring former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and bassist Robertino “Pag” Pagliari at The Baked Potato in Studio City. This release stands as both a heartfelt tribute to his legacy and a significant archival moment for fans, friends, and the global metal community. Upon arrival at the hospital Menza was pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Nick Menza rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal’s fiercest drummers during Megadeth’s commercial peak spanning a decade. Reflecting on his career, Nick cited the highlight as performing at Rock in Rio before an audience of over 100,000 people. Yet, his journey also faced hardship he was fired by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine while still recovering in a hospital bed following surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.
Make sure you are following BraveWords Records on YouTube so you don’t miss any future videos by Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, The Chris Slade Timeline, Jack Starr, Prophets of Addiction, ASKA, Crimson Glory, Lillian Axe and more!
Subscribe https://youtube.com/@BravewordsRecords?sub_confirmation=1
The post NICK MENZA – Unearthed Video Captures Late Drummer Preparing For MEGADETH Reunion appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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