MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine has issued the following studio update:

"Yesterday was a very productive day in the studio. Andy and I went through a lot of the riffs and set out on two distinct songs. I was still feeling pretty excited about the night before's performance on the solo I did for Wayne Static of, you guessed it - STATIC X, and even got an email back saying that he had a good time too. I can't wait for you to hear this and tell me what you think of me going outside of my normal realm.

I did, however, stay within the Megadeth classic style for these two new songs, and if Andy and Shawn are any good at judging, then we are off to a good start. I figured I have about four more complete songs and the rest will be compiled of mostly verse and chorus riffs that I have created, and will just write the connecting pieces on the spot or use the ideas of my very, very deep bench of my talented bandmates.

This is one of the main reasons why I wanted Shawn here, because he is such a talented player and in my book, under-rated, so for now, I will continue to keep him all to ourselves here in the land of "all-things-mega!" He has been invaluable with being able to go back in time and draw from memory any riff that I was playing. He does have a "grey area" around "Risk" to "The System Has Failed" where some of the songs have slipped from my memory too, due to the hardships that accompanied those records.

I will be taking the day off today, and going to get fed spiritually, then to Starbucks for a Grande Carmel Frappachino with extra whipped cream in a Venti cup for my splurge day, then to go see the guy that I want to play me in the Movie of Dave Mustaine before he ruled the Universe! Part 1.

I am also getting ready for tour again, so I have to start getting fit. I mean being skinny or looking lean are two totally different things. Besides, with my Doctor L.'s treatment and PT program, coupled with my regiment from Doctor R., the brace and traction device, I am convinced that I can slow down, stop, and possibly even reverse the affects of my neck injury. I have great fans, I have tremendous faith, I have already died once, I have recovered from nerve damage to my left arm, and I think that I am just too stubborn to give up. Oh yeah, and I survived them.

Its great having such a healthy and completely together cat as my right-hand man too with James Lomenzo. He is just like clockwork; whether it is showing up when he is supposed to, or with the perfectly timed dry barbs he hurls when we are jesting, I am as happy to be playing with James as I have ever been. He is wise beyond his years, but only a few since he is older than me, and he is the best front-man in Megadeth. I really dug watching him rock out on "Blood in the Water." Which reminds me that we are going to be releasing that someday, so if you didn't see it, we have a copy for you

You no doubt saw that James ran into ex-bassist David "Junior" Ellefson, as well as some other posuer bassists at some Bass Gods convention or swap-meet or something. I bet he doesn't get called "Junior" that much anymore. Anyway, class act that James is, he asked me if David could be his bass tech, . . . just kidding Ha! He told me that he thought "it was a good idea for the fans to be able to hear from him on how he is doing, and whatnot because he is part of the legacy," and I was so impressed.

So, I fired James and er, no, I didn't do that either. I listened to him, and said, "I think that is very commendable, and I am proud of you," and I next contacted our Beloved Webmaster to let him know that it would be ok for "Junior", as it is for all of our Alumni; that is why that column is even there, gang! I imagine you will be able to see some fun stuff coming up in these near future postings from some of these former members and great musicians.

Well, I hear that the sleepover has ended and the next wave of Mustaine musicians and there perspective road crews have woken up."