Dave Mustaine, the iconic frontman of Megadeth, has never shied away from expressing his opinions on various music genres. In a recent interview with Lifeminute TV, Mustaine candidly shared his thoughts on the nu-metal movement that gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Reflecting on that era, Mustaine remarked, “There was a period in 2000 where we had these bands called – I think it was ‘nu-metal,’ and they didn’t do any solos.” He questioned the omission, suggesting it stemmed from a lack of ability: “Well, why didn’t they do any solos? They couldn’t do solos, and thank God that genre went away.”
He further commented on the technical skills of nu-metal musicians, stating, “I would say, you know, if you’re in a ‘nu-metal’ band, you probably would be challenged even playing [Chuck Berry’s] ‘Johnny B. Goode.’ So, I’m glad that [nu-metal] went away.”
This isn’t the first time Mustaine has voiced his reservations about nu-metal. In a 2022 interview with 89.5FM WSOU, he recalled the industry’s shift in the early ’90s when alternative and glam bands dominated the airwaves, sidelining traditional metal acts. During that period, Megadeth found themselves touring with nu-metal bands, leading to some internal amusement. Mustaine recounted, “I can’t tell you how much we would laugh about the bands that we were forced to take out on tour with us, especially during the nu-metal period… all these bands that wouldn’t play solos and stuff.”
His critiques highlight a perceived departure from instrumental proficiency within the nu-metal genre, particularly the absence of guitar solos, which are a hallmark of traditional metal.
