Dave Mustaine Opens Up About His Impact on the Big Four

Dave Mustaine has long been a central figure in thrash metal’s evolution, and in a recent interview with São Paulo’s 89 FM A Rádio Rock, he reflected on the formative years that connected him with fellow pioneers across the scene. Discussing his early relationship with Kerry King of Slayer, Mustaine described a period of mutual discovery before the genre reached its commercial and creative peak.

“I’ve been very invested in the metal community,” he said. “Kerry and I played together [during the early days of both bands], and I showed him how to play Megadeth songs, which was before [Slayer] started having all their pivotal records. Kerry and I had a really great time together.”

His recollection underscores how interconnected the early thrash movement was, with musicians exchanging ideas, techniques, and influences in ways that would later define the genre’s aggressive, technical sound.

Influence on a Growing Movement

Mustaine also pointed to his encounters with Scott Ian and Anthrax in New York, suggesting that these meetings coincided with a noticeable shift in the band’s musical direction. At the time, Mustaine was associated with Metallica, another cornerstone of the so-called “Big Four.”

“When I met Scott and the guys in Anthrax out in New York, same thing happened. Their first record was very different from the record they made after they met me and the guys in Metallica. So I think that’s great.”

While such claims inevitably invite debate among fans and historians, they reflect Mustaine’s enduring belief that thrash metal’s development was shaped as much by collaboration and cross-pollination as by competition.

Respect Beyond Rivalry

Despite highlighting his influence, Mustaine was careful to frame his comments within a broader sense of admiration for his peers. The Big Four—Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Mustaine’s own Megadeth—have long been linked not only by their shared origins but also by their collective role in pushing heavy music into new territory.

“I love all those bands.”

Rather than positioning himself above his contemporaries, Mustaine’s remarks ultimately read as a reflection on a pivotal era—one defined by creative friction, shared ambition, and a tight-knit community of musicians who, knowingly or not, helped shape each other’s legacies.