Cranked Up Live recently caught up with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson to discuss the band's new album, Dystopia, and his relationship with frontman Dave Mustaine. Check out the interview below.

Cranked Up Live Exclusive - David Ellefson... von crankeduplive

Megadeth notched the Billboard 200 chart’s highest debut last week, as the band’s new album, Dystopia, bows at #3 with 49,000 units (48,000 in pure album sales). It’s the highest charting album for the act since 1992’s Countdown To Extinction debuted and peaked at #2 on the chart dated August 1st of that year. The new album also logs the group’s best sales week since 2007, when United Abominations launched with 54,000 sold at #8.

Always a global band, Megadeth’s domination was felt overseas as well, with top 10 debuts in Japan (#2 international chart), Finland (#3), Mexico (#4), and Australia (#6), as well as Belgium, Ireland, and Australia achieving the band’s highest chart positions ever. Other countries with significant sales or chart debuts include UK, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, and France.

Featuring 11 brand new tracks, Dystopia (Universal Music Enterprises /Tradecraft / T-Boy Records) is available on CD, LP, and digitally. Additionally, a special edition featuring a groundbreaking Virtual Reality experience in which fans will be able to purchase the new album, a CEEK Virtual Reality headset with instructions, and a download code to access and unlock exclusive content to begin their VR Experience. All configurations can be purchased through physical and online partners now.

With musical architect and band visionary Dave Mustaine at the helm, Dystopia was recorded in Nashville, TN, and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira, Avenged Sevenfold). The rest of the Megadeth lineup is comprised of new member Kiko Loureiro (formerly of Angra), David Ellefson on bass, and drummer Chris Adler, who took time away from Lamb Of God to record Dystopia. The result marks a true return to form, adding new blood and injecting a new burst of creative energy into the new album.

Dystopia tracklisting:

“Death From Within”
​“Fatal Illusion”
“Conquer... Or Die!”
“Lying In State”
“Me Hate You”
“The Emperor's New Clothes”
“Dystopia”
“Bullet To The Brain”
“Last Dying Wish”
“Post American World”
“Look Who's Talking”
“The Threat Is Real”
“Poisonous Shadows”
“Melt The Ice Away” (Budgie cover)
“Foreign Policy” (Fear cover)

“Dystopia” video:

“The Threat Is Real” video:

“Fatal Illusion”:

Recently, Megadeth announced the details for the North American leg of their Dystopia World Tour, which will kick off in Dallas, TX on February 20th. The North American leg will take them across the US, visiting 12 states and throughout Canada.

Tour dates:

February
20 - Dallas, TX - South Side Ballroom
21 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
23 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
24 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
26 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl
27 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
29 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield

March
2 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik (Megadeth only)
3 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik (Megadeth only)
5 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagan Events Centre
6 - Calgary, AB - Grey Eagle Resort
8 - Dawson Creek, BC - Encana Events Centre
9 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
10 - Moose Jaw, SK - Mosaic Place
13 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom
15 - Niagara Falls, NY - The Rapids Theatre
16 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
19 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
20 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
21 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues
23 - Bangor, ME - Cross Insurance Center
24 - Quebec, QC - Centre Videotron
26 - Sioux Falls, SD - Badlands Pawn