In a new interview with The Metal Review, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson discussed the unexpected departure of drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist Chris Broderick back in November 2014:

Q: Obviously we’ve had Chris and Shawn recently depart, I guess it’s like a divorce and without knowing all the facts, when people or fans hear this kind of thing they automatically think the worse. Was it just time for those guys to move to other things, like a fork in the road moment or did personality clashes come into it?

Ellefson: "I think it was time. I mean, Shawn had been there ten years. Next to me and obviously Dave (Mustaine), Shawn had been there the longest of anybody. He was a good soldier for Megadeth. In a lot of ways he helped bring me back into the fold. Shawn should always be remembered by the Megadeth fans as one of the true supporters who really got it. As a fan, a musician within the band, he got it. One of the songs he co-wrote ended up as a Grammy nomination ("Head Crusher"), his record speaks for itself. Chris (Broderick) is just a phenomenal musician and a super great guy. The fact that the two of them are going off together and doing something together, I think is cool. Whatever we hear from them next will be something that will truly be them and it won’t have to be done in the confines of a Megadeth setting."

"Megadeth is very much a focussed type narrow window of what works and what the fans expect to hear, and rightfully so. There are some things that band members write that are great for Megadeth and something’s that should are best used for solo material or to be shopped for someone else to cover them. You can get to a certain point in your career and you realise you have things outside of what your band is and it may be a good piece of music but it shouldn’t be used inside of Megadeth."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine's son, Justis Mustaine, recently posted a short clip on Facebook featuring Ellefson jamming with an unknown drummer in the rehearsal room. The assumption is that whoever is behind the kit is auditioning for the vacant drummer position now that Shawn Drover has left the band:

Following the shocking news on November 25th that Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover has left the band, guitarist Chris Broderick announced the following day that he had quit as well "due to artistic and musical differences," putting the band's future in question. Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza offered his thoughts on the situation via Facebook:

"Like I have said in the past, I don't rule out rejoining Megadeth and the opportunity would be totally cool. I'm open to whatever could possibly happen. That's up to Dave. Right now I'm focused on writing and demoing songs with Chris Poland (guitars) and James Lomenzo (bass)."

During a live online Megadeth fanclub chat on November 29th, bassist David Ellefson made it clear the band will continue:

"As you can probably tell by me being here today, we are not disbanding. As of right now, we are looking at all the options, of which there are many. We'll certainly continue working on the new songs for the next record."

A few days after Drover announced his departure, his brother and former Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover - who left the band in 2008 - issued the following statement via Facebook:

"I'm very sorry, but to those who want to see me back in Megadeth, that will never happen. Other cool things coming up. Again, sorry, but there is NO chance I would ever do that. Now saying all of that, thanks a ton for all of your awesome support and it was fun while I was there playing all those cool shows and meeting a lot of you!"

Guitarist Jeff Young, who played on Megadeth's third album - So Far, So Good...So What! - released in 1988, was recently asked by a fan on Facebook, "What's your thoughts on the current Megadeth situation? No chance of you going back?"

Young's response to the fan's question, "I have zero interest in 'the Megadeth situation.' The band is done. Put a fork in it."

Stay tuned for updates.