Dave Mustaine Shows His Admiration for James Hetfield with Metallica Cover

Dave Mustaine has recorded a new version of Metallica’s Ride The Lightning as a tribute to James Hetfield, calling the frontman a “f****** powerhouse” on guitar.

Speaking about his decision to revisit the track he originally co-wrote for Metallica’s second studio album of the same name, Mustaine explained that his goal wasn’t to reinvent the song but to honor Hetfield’s influence.

He told Rolling Stone, “It was about respect. No one ever asks me about that. One day he’s just the singer, and the next day he’s this f****** powerhouse, and I’ve always admired him as a guitarist.”

The Megadeth frontman said the cover came together naturally during a jam session and was meant to capture the spirit of his own musical path — one that began with Panic and included his early contributions to Metallica’s material.

“I wanted to record something that really felt right,” he shared.

Mustaine confirmed that neither Hetfield nor Lars Ulrich has heard the song yet.

He told the magazine, “It wasn’t about not wanting to reach out. The last time James and I spoke, it was about business matters, and we haven’t talked since. I was hoping to get his blessing before releasing it, but the response from everyone else was so positive that we decided to go ahead. I’ll gladly talk to him when I can, but I don’t have his number anymore.”

Mustaine said his intention was to make sure Hetfield knew how much he respected him.

“I don’t think he believes I respect him,” Mustaine said. “I wanted to make that clear. Now that I’m preparing to hang up my guitar, I don’t want to leave anything unsaid.”

Ride The Lightning was one of two songs Mustaine co-wrote for Metallica’s 1984 album, along with The Call of Ktulu.

Before forming Megadeth, Mustaine was Metallica’s lead guitarist but was dismissed from the band in 1983 before their debut album was recorded.

He has often said that many of Metallica’s early songs include his work, claiming to have written parts of Phantom Lord, Metal Militia, Jump In The Fire, and The Four Horsemen.

Speaking on The Shawn Ryan Show earlier this year, Mustaine also claimed, “I wrote a lot of Leper Messiah from Master of Puppets. They didn’t give me credit for that. You can hear my riffs. I know my sound — I’m not going to hear something that’s mine and not recognize it. I wrote a lot of the music that helped define Metallica, and the solos on that first record were mine, even if Kirk tried to recreate them.”

Megadeth have already released the lead single Tipping Point from their upcoming final album.

The band is also planning a farewell tour, with full dates yet to be announced. The new record, a follow-up to 2022’s The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!, will arrive on January 23.