MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:

"I've had one of the most amazing experiences of my life just recently. You know when things are happening all at once and you start to feel like things are spinning out of control? Or the excitement when things are going crazy, but somehow still under control? I'm currently at home and have been updating you through posts from here and the studio, my TLL number, through the homepage widget, and other ways like mags, radio, and cable or satellite interviews. I've tried to keep you included in the construction of the studio, but besides this being a better place than the Evolver studio, and me being in a better place in my life than during 1994, we don't need to rehash that, I suppose.

I opted to keep the focus on you and me, Andy Sneap and the band. And we have new technology now anyway, so you can chat with me at the MegaFanClub during scheduled chats about "All-Things-Mega" (and we do have the best clubs I have ever seen), or in the morning Coffee Crew club. I don't talk about Megadeth much in the coffee chat room though, it is just me and a few friends talking about what friends talk about over coffee. Speaking of the MegaFanClub, I have talked with the Clubs operators and we're going over the entire structure of it to make it more personal and a closer experience for you to meet with Megadeth. We're especially fired up about the Judas Priest tour and will announce soon how we're going to be accommodating our MegaFanClub members. Some of you may not be members, and for those of you that have been waiting patiently for us to take on new members, your wait will soon be over!

Anyway. Today is Sunday and while it is a day of rest for some, it ain't for me. After returning home from England, I have loads of work to do: answering snail mail, boxes, FedEx packs, and voicemail. That is not including the 1,198 emails. Electra and Justis were waiting for us to come back last night and I had the pleasure of telling Justis how Andy Sneap said that he thinks JD's Axxion sounds great and we should use it on his record. I'm happy that Andy's working with me on this record and that he is so nice to my family. We have a great relationship and when we're done with the new Megadeth record, we've decided that we're going to make Vic's Garage a semi-private studio, open to select clientele. It totally makes sense: Andy is a decent guy, and he is good enough to be a real 'bad guy' like some of these producers (who usually suck) and I love that he is involved in the project from beginning to end; that he takes that much pride in his work, and that the finished product will sound great. [NOTE: that doesn't mean all of his bands are great though! Lol!] We will be returning to the record as soon as Andy's visa is sorted out. It wasn't taken care of properly and we're going to unfortunately have to push back the release date because of this, but that won't affect the quality - if anything, it will ensure that it is better. You see, we were going to work up until the wire, to the last second, and we wanted to have a new release finished before we went out with the guys in JP. But that is impossible now and we will have to come back between Priest Feast and Gigantour to finish it.

Of course, I've been known to have a few tricks up my sleeve, and I've been having a good run, thanks to the man, but this may just be too much for even me. I look forward to all of your support and encouragement. And we'll be devising ways on how to get you as involved as possible with hearing our new stuff or coming to the studio or even being able to do crazy stuff like possibly win one of my special hand-made Marshall custom cabs or (maybe even a new one?), or one of my elite weapons - the VMNT! guitar by Dean - or who knows what?

The Guitarfest Jam:

I knew going into this performance thing that I was doing it for Paul and Dr. Jim Marshall O.B.E. (the guv'nor), and for Marshall Amplifiers. From the moment we arrived at LAX we were treated with style, and at the other end, Steve - the Marshall family chauffeur, was waiting for us at the airport. We had a beautiful rainy drive to Milton Keynes, and checked into the hotel, The Jury Inn. We then went to lunch at Wagamamas (a favorite of ours), and then a brief nap before going by the factory.

Later we went out to dinner with Paul, his father, and family. Now most of these little pub/diners have great names, like the bear and the parrot, or the fox and the hound, or something and the something. You get my drift? So, we go to a place called "The Cock" and I said, "Rooster, right? RIGHT??!!?! Just kidding, but that was the name. It is a quaint little restaurant that Dr. Marshall likes to go to, and since he is a hero of mine, I would have gone if it was named something even worse. Now, if it would have been something like "The Cock and the Mad Lesbians with Potato Peelers" I would have stayed in the car and locked the doors!!!

Our next day commenced the sun coming out as it always does when I come to the UK, with some top secret work at the factory, and then off to a place to rehearse with Marco Mendoza and a guitarist named Soren Anderson. Much to my complete chagrin, dismay, and near terror, neither of the guys had a chance to listen to the songs, and it immediately took me back to auditioning before Marty Friedman and the redneck that came in and set up all these great amps and stuff, and turned to me and said, "Ok, y'all! Show me them songs!" or something equally eloquent. I am glad beyond gladness that Paul flew Shawn Drover over to play drums for me after Tommy Aldridge bailed out.

The second day the sun had come out completely and it was a clear and beautiful day. Our rehearsal was actually our soundcheck at the show, and for the sake of consistency, I will finish "this" story before I go back to the actual signing at the booth or the trip to the factory. So, we go into the dressing room area and they say, "it is a green room", which means when you are done, that you leave, as opposed to a dressing room, which means it is yours for the duration. Small detail, but to people who have gotten to my level, we know the difference between a green room and a dressing room. I walk in and there are a lot of people in there, and I don't do good with people being around me before I play. This has nothing to do with the goodness of the people in there (or badness - hehehe!)

Paul was fantastic taking care of me and Shawn, but besides the guys in "Thunder", Vinnie Moore, and "The Choir Boys", there was no one there I knew. We returned to the hotel after soundcheck, and when we went back to the gig, Pete Way - bassist for UFO - was in the green dressing room when we came back and we had a funny conversation; I wish you well Pete and good health to you. Soon it was time to go on, and Shawn and I went up to take the stage. Shawn was introduced and then me, and he clicked us in with four clicks on his drumsticks and then Marco started some song that sounded like "Peace Sells." I guess Soren was checking his guitar during the beginning of the song when it is just supposed to be bass guitar alone, but once me and Mr. Drover came in, fortunately we started laying it down, and they "Megadeth mach 2" got over the heebie-jeebies. In the end it was fun and Soren is quite the "rock starish" looking guy, (not stafish) and he even reminded me a little of Glen Drover.

Once the show was over we were at the hotel and we went to the hotel lobby bar, and had some chips, which are french fries, but were recently freedom fries (dubbed by our dubious prez GW Bush) after her Dubya deemed it not American or something to eat French Fries. And since Freedom had the sound "dumb" in it, he like it. I had a beer with Shawn and Paul, and after I remembered they rinsed the beer through fish scales at the distillery of the particular brand I was drinking (Stella Artois), I immediately ordered a coke. Before leaving or should I say trying to leave, I talked with a guy named Spike from TCB's and the guys from Thunder, and there was one guy who said that he was the tour manager of Joe Bonamasso, and I felt bad because I couldn't recognize the name, but looking him up on the net, I remember him now. So, it was off to bed for an early morning departure back to the states. I got up early and Shawn had already left for a 6:30AM lobby call for the airport. After one last breakfast with Paul, we headed off for Heathrow, and our final destination LAX, to be then driven two hours to San Diego.

It was a long trip, but here is why it was worth it.

I was able to go the Marshall Amplification factory and do something with Paul Marshall, and with the blessing of the guv'nor himself (Dr. Jim), and the qualified help of John, Graham, Danny, Luke, Mick, Mark, Steve, Steve, and anyone else that I unfortunately did not list here (you are in my heart and I am better for having met and knowing you), we have finally finished what I imagine is going to be a very respected project, and this is a first for Marshall. This is not a 'just' a signature on one of their already famous and fabulous existing product lines, or something cosmetic. This is . . . well, I can't tell you just yet. But you will see, know, hear, and soon you will be able to experience it's incredible capabilities for yourself.

Well, its getting about time to return to repose. I am on UK time this morning. But before I go, I must tell you that there is still so much more to say and share, but we know I have to leave something for you to wonder about, my beloved Droogs. I will wait until Monday to start filling you in on any other new stuff that I have been waiting to talk about, in detail. I am also going to schedule a chat for the club today with our webmaster and will post when it is this week. Thanks for reading this long one, and have a great day today."

Watch fan-filmed Mustaine performing 'Peace Sells' at Guitarfest: