According to David Ellefson, there’s a metal band bigger than Metallica.
“I know these aren’t new bands, so to speak, but I guess it kind of shows you my appreciation of industrial music,” the bassist told WSOU, referring to Rammstein, Ghost, and Static-X.
He praised Al Jourgensen from Ministry for starting that movement. He also remembers how great it was to hear Static-X cover Ministry’s ‘Burning Inside’ on that tour in 1999.
“[Judas] Priest are just, to me, the ultimate, greatest heavy metal band ever. And when I hear anything new from Judas Priest, I immediately buy it. I deep dive it, I listen to it and I see them whenever they come around,” Ellefson also added.
In March, Ellefson posted a photo from a Judas Priest concert he went to. The bassist said, “The metal god! So great to catch Uriah Heep, Saxon and Judas Priest in Frankfurt, Germany last night after we wrapped up the Bass Warrior tour in Reichenbach. Pound for pound, these bands still bring it and back to the origin of all things metal out of Britain!”
Although the rocker didn’t name Metallica, he is known for his love for the band. “I love Metallica. I’m a fan of theirs, have been from day one. When I met Dave, I’ve never heard of Metallica. So I was introduced to them through ‘No Life ‘Til Leather’ through him – both his songs and the other songs, I like what they do, yeah,” Ellefson said about the group in 2021.
He added, “I can just speak for Megadeth, we have always had a pretty deep level of musical proficiency from the very first recording lineup with Gar and Chris, they were extraordinary players.”
“The dye has been cast from the beginning with that level, and all the guitar players that have come along have been incredibly gifted players – drummers, the same thing. It’s nice that whatever we write we can play, that if we can think it, we can play it and make it a reality,” the musician continued.
Ellefson’s next show with Kings of Thrash is on October 24 in London. They will also have shows in Europe in November.