Jeb Wright, founder of Classic Rock Revisited, recently caught up with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. An excerpt from the story is available below:

Jeb: Things have happened in thrash that fans only dreamed about happening. Megadeth is firing on all cylinders. Chris Broderick is the best guitar player since Marty Friedman, in my book.

Ellefson: "When Marty stepped away from the band it was a big blow to the Megadeth family. The fans really admired that lineup. It was hard when we had to make the change with Nick Mensa. Jimmy (DeGrasso) was a fantastic drummer and came in under some difficult circumstances. When Marty stepped away, though, that was really rough.

It is interesting; when we made the Rust in Peace album, it was essentially a reformation of the band. It was Dave and me and we brought in Nick and Marty, and that was really a reformation of the band. We didn’t consciously think about it that way, but we had stopped, and we were off the road for a year and a half. The cycle of events that happened this time really reformed the group, as well. Oddly enough, that is almost exactly what happened now."

Jeb: I’ve never thought about it that way.

Ellefson: "I actually didn’t think about it either, until you brought it up. The only difference is that we launched a brand new record in Rust in Peace with that lineup of the band. This time we got a whole year to take this around the track and tour together with this current lineup. The fans love Chris Broderick. He looks good in Megadeth and he sounds good in Megadeth. With my return back, it really looks and sounds like Megadeth again."

Jeb: Metal is a community that exists outside the mainstream. Since you have been back, and toured the world, what is your take on the global shape of the metal community?

Ellefson: "In 2010, we saw the kick start revival for thrash, for sure. There have been a lot of bands since 2004 and 2005 that revitalized it for a new generation because all of these bands came up, essentially listening to records by the Big 4. A lot of those bands are very open that Megadeth, METALLICA, SLAYER and ANTHRAX were their influences. They sparked a whole new movement, so by the time that we did the Big 4 last year, it really came roaring back with a vengeance. This year, we are out on the Mayhem Festival. We are still doing Big 4 dates too. The Big 4 candle has turned into a flame. With Mayhem, there is not only us, as the veteran band out here, there is GODSMACK and DISTURBED, who made a huge contribution to metal in their own way. On the side stages there are all these brand new bands that are coming up the ranks. It is so cool that there is a healthy future for metal coming up behind us."

Go to this location for the complete interview.