“If the surgery is successful, and I can play again, hallelujah”: Dave Mustaine on his worsening hand condition affecting his ability to play guitar
Megadeth are currently in the midst of their final-ever tour, a worldwide trek that sees Dave Mustaine bow out in style following a multi-decade career that has shaped the world of metal as we know it today.
The thrash metal outfit released their self-titled swansong album in January this year, and embarked upon their massive farewell world tour shortly after. The band are currently in the US, and the trek is scheduled to last until April 2027 when they’ll bow out in Lisbon, Portugal.
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Dave Mustaine’s decision to call time on the band is no doubt in part due to his degenerative hand condition, Dupuytren’s contracture, revealed last year, which is making it progressively more difficult for him to play guitar. The frontman is aware that he may need to undergo surgery to treat the condition – but if all goes well, could there be life left in the Megadeth tank just yet?
In a new interview with YouTube channel Tv War, Mustaine is questioned on his worsening hand condition.
“God willing, something will happen,” he says. “And there’ll be a news break some day. And I’m hoping that when the time comes when I have to stop, at that point it’s going to be like a knife in the ground, and I will have to make up my mind: ‘Do you wanna get surgery, or do you not?’
“And if I get surgery, and the surgery is successful, and I can play again, hallelujah. But I wanna go out on top, and until I know that I can’t play anymore, I’m gonna play my best and my hardest.”
Is that a veiled suggestion that if his hand is repaired he’d consider keeping Megadeth going? It’s not clear, but in the meantime, Mustaine’s playing ability is strong enough to continue touring for the best part of another year.
Included in the tracklist of Megadeth’s latest album is a cover of Ride the Lightning, which Dave Mustaine helped write during his tenure with Metallica. Following its release, Mustaine said that his inspiration to cover the track was to help bury the hatchet following years of public feuds with his former bandmates.
“This was about showing respect to a man that I don’t believe thinks I respect him,” he said, referencing Metallica frontman James Hetfield.
In other news, Dave Mustaine recently launched his new memoir, In My Darkest Hour, which explores his “harrowing” experience following his diagnosis with stage three throat cancer in 2019.
Megadeth are on tour now. See a full list of dates at their official website.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
