Former MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young says he has little interest in reuniting with the band for a special appearance on its ongoing farewell tour, even if asked.
Young, who played on MEGADETH's platinum-selling 1988 album "So Far, So Good... So What!" before departing after that album cycle, addressed the question in a July interview with Chris Akin of "The Classic Metal Show." Asked whether former members should join Dave Mustaine's band for the farewell run, Young was blunt: "I don't even know if I'd wanna do it if it was offered to me."
Young pointed to his current band, KINGS OF THRASH, as the reason he feels no pull toward a reunion. Formed in April 2022 with former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and vocalist Chaz Leon, KINGS OF THRASH performs early MEGADETH material as part of what the members call "The MEGA Years," and released the single "Bullets Ready" in May. "We're already doing it with KINGS OF THRASH," Young said, "and to my mind better."
He also cited strained relationships among former members as a factor: "We're not all necessarily friends to begin with, and I'm not down for the drama. There's a lot of politics and drama to something like that."
Young noted that guitarist Marty Friedman has already made reunion appearances with MEGADETH during the farewell tour, which he referenced as reason enough for him to sit it out. He said his focus is instead on a solo album he described as "closer to my heart" and aimed at a broader audience than "a very niche" thrash metal crowd. He and Ellefson have also noted that MEGADETH benefits financially through publishing royalties whenever KINGS OF THRASH performs the songs.
Young's comments arrive as MEGADETH continues its long-running farewell tour under Mustaine, which has already featured a handful of guest appearances from past members. His remarks underline just how unresolved the relationships between MEGADETH's various former guitarists and rhythm section players remain, more than three decades after his own brief run in the band.