NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis spoke with Hall Of Metal recently about a number of topics including the band's new album, The Obsidian Conspiracy and the fact that he once auditioned for MEGADETH. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Hall Of Metal: Is it true that when you were 16 you did an audition to replace Jeff Young in Megadeth?

Loomis: "Yeah, that’s true."

Hall Of Metal: What was Mustaine’s impression when he saw you?

Loomis: "They didn’t know that I was so young at the time; I told them I was 22 or so. But, when they called my name I think they were all freaked up because I was only 16, I was just a kid. And my parents weren’t very fond on me either because they wanted me to finish high school. But, I think what it all comes down to is that I was really inexperienced at that time: I was only 16, I’ve never been on the road and I’ve never toured professionally with a band before. But, at the same time it was very cool to be a part of that and to audition for that band. Basically, Dave Mustaine said 'Hey, you’re too young but thank you for flying out here.' He was really cool. He said 'stick with your guitar and one day you’re going to be a bigger rock star.' I took the advice and in 2005 we ended up touring with Megadeth, so it was really cool. I look up to Dave Mustaine, he is one of the founding fathers of what we call heavy metal nowadays, and he does it very well. So, I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to try out for the band. It was very cool."

Hall Of Metal: So he does remember you.

Loomis: "Yeah, well, he says he does but probably really doesn’t. Hahaha. He met so many people!"

Hall Of Metal: Has he made you any offer to join Megadeth in recent years?

Jeff: "Yes, he has. I’m very honored that he has me to be a part of it but, Nevermore is kind of my baby and Megadeth is his. They are two completely different entities. He does his thing and I do mine; if I would have joined Megadeth I really wouldn’t had the open writing that I’m able to do in Nevermore. It’s he that he writes songs in the band, and that’s his thing, that’s cool. He is a very big person, and an awesome songwriter and a great guitar player. But he does his thing and I do mine. That’s the way it is."

Read the entire interview here.