Megadeth cancels performance after backstage conflict
Megadeth cancelled its performance at the last moment on Sunday at the Evil Live Festival in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. According to the American thrash metal band, the cancellation was due to ‘technical causes beyond our control’. The festival organisation issued the same statement. The cancellation came shortly before Megadeth was due to take the stage. On the same festival day, Marilyn Manson, Mastodon, Converge, Imminence and the Dutch band The Gathering were also on the bill.
Although Megadeth cites technical problems, a very reliable source told Maxazine that the real cause should be sought elsewhere. According to this source, a backstage conflict arose between Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine and a technician from Marilyn Manson’s crew, who had previously worked for Megadeth. Both acts were scheduled back to back on Sunday. The situation then escalated to such an extent that Megadeth ultimately decided not to go ahead with the performance. Both Megadeth and the Evil Live Festival organisation have only referred to technical problems beyond Megadeth’s control.
The conflict would fit the reputation Dave Mustaine has built over the past decades. The guitarist, singer and founder of Megadeth has long been known as a strong-willed and uncompromising personality. Since leaving Metallica in 1983, he has been involved on multiple occasions in conflicts with former band members, managers, concert organisers and other musicians. His perfectionism and direct way of communicating have repeatedly led to tensions in the past. The band has also cancelled several concerts.
Megadeth was founded in 1983 by Dave Mustaine and grew into one of the pioneers of American thrash metal. Alongside Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, the band forms the so-called ‘Big Four’ of the genre. Albums such as “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?”, “Rust in Peace” and “Countdown to Extinction” are among the absolute classics in metal. The band has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and won a Grammy Award in 2017 for the song “Dystopia”. Mustaine is currently the only original band member still part of Megadeth.
