Megadeth: Behind the Mask

For the last 41 years, Megadeth have created a legacy as one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, alongside Anthrax, Slayer and Metallica. Although Dave Mustaine, the band’s founder and only constant member, hasn’t created an empire on the same level as Metallica, the band who famously kicked him out, serving as the catalyst for the creation of Megadeth, he has still found great success in his own right, including sixteen albums and contributions to several film and video game soundtracks, plus tours that regularly sell out in the thousands. In that time, Mustaine has also been through a lot physically, including a successful battle against throat cancer and, most recently, Dupuytren's contracture, which has affected his ability to play guitar. Before closing the book on Megadeth, however, Mustaine has decided he’ll go out on his own terms, including a seventeenth and final studio album, Megadeth, and an extensive global farewell tour. Part of the buildup to the final album’s release included Megadeth: Behind the Mask, an immersive feature that’s both an extensive interview regarding the band’s 40-year history and a world premiere listening party for Megadeth, complete with Mustaine’s own track-by-track reflections. A unique film for sure, but one that did its job remarkably well.

Behind the Mask follows a simple structure. After playing each track from the album, Dave Mustaine gives insight into the creation of that particular song, as well as a retrospective look at part of the band’s history. More than that, Mustaine gets pretty personal and reflective about how his life experiences have shaped the kind of person he is now. He opens up about his religious and philosophical views and how those have influenced his process. For example, his favorite book is Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, which distills its points so well that he tries to get his point across within a song in only one line instead of three or four, as other artists do. He also references Stone Soup in the context of the difference between songwriters and salesmen: one thinks about what they can add to a song while the other thinks only of what they can take away from it.

When discussing the history of the band and how he arrived at Megadeth, he shares stories that some fans may have heard many times before, but also sheds new light on certain moments and songs. For example, the song “1000 Times Goodbye” was actually about the breakup between him and Marty Friedman, who contributed a lot to the band but ultimately had creative interests that didn’t align with Mustaine’s own, like finding more satisfaction in slower tempos than Mustaine would normally play. I also walked away with the impression that the infamous Risk turned out the way it did because of manager Bud Prager’s detrimental involvement in the songwriting process. Mustaine also found humor in some of his stories, like how a mistake early in the band’s career that forced him to buy the Megadeth name back got him to put in the band’s touring contract that if the venue misspells “Megadeth”, they owe him $500. Another is a quick comment that showed self-awareness of his own singing voice and how it's not the best (but it’s unique).

Of course, the subject of his time in Metallica inevitably comes up. Unlike other times where he has shown bitterness or jealousy, however, he comes off far more humble about it in the film. He has made peace with the circumstances that led to his firing—they were young, high and stupid and didn’t handle everything the right way—and doesn’t have anything against James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett or the late Cliff Burton. Now that he’s in his 60s, he seeks peace between the two bands.

What many fans may care more about, however, is the music, mainly presented in the form of lyric videos with some effort put into the editing, as well as very striking original artwork (if the song didn’t already have a music video). While Megadeth isn’t a perfect album (they can’t all be Rust in Peace), it’s a strong finish to a decades-long career. Even if I didn’t remember some of the songs after one listen (Mustaine himself said you need to listen to a Megadeth album at least two or three times), I easily moved along to the riffs that combine the undeniable talents of both Mustaine and Teemu Mäntysaari, with equally incredible work by bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. You can really hear the band’s history throughout, like how “I Don’t Care” hearkens back to the punk-influenced Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! and “Puppet Parade” recaptures that unique 90s Megadeth sound. Of the songs that weren’t already singles, “Obey the Call” left an impression with a dark riff reminiscent of Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? and “The Last Note” is a nice, emotional reflection of how it’s the end for Megadeth, but Mustaine is going out on his own terms.

Bookending the powerful opening with “Tipping Point” is the equally powerful closing track, a cover of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning”, a song Mustaine co-wrote. Although he and Hetfield have different vocal styles, Megadeth’s take on it does the track justice, honoring Mustaine’s beginnings while offering a unique but very respectful spin on the instrumentation. I’ll admit that I felt emotional upon hearing it for the first time, partly out of the intent behind it, but mostly the sense of finality that it brought to Megadeth as a whole while ending everything on a high note.

However you feel about Megadeth’s many ups and downs throughout their 41-year history, Megadeth: Behind the Mask brings it all together into a film that’s more than just a simple listening party, but an introspective piece that reveals a lot about Dave Mustaine as a person and a musician while also celebrating a successful career in a way that feels earned. Fortunately, the final album is one that I would gladly listen to again. Hopefully, other fans feel the same way (or get a chance to see or hear Mustaine’s insights outside of a film with very limited distribution).