Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir

Mustaine Shows His Metal

Dave Mustaine founder, guitarist and front man for the heavy metal band, Megadeth, typically generate a variety of emotions resulting from his stage banter, interviews and music. Megadeth fans will instantly give the horns sign with one or both hands as they exhibit their sweet air guitar skills.

Others who might be fans of a competing bands like, say, Mustaine's first band, Metallica, are likely to pontificate about the finer points of guitar skills between Mustaine and Metallica's Kirk Hammett. And, still others who are aware of Mustaine's conversion to Christianity are keenly interested in the strength or weakness of his walk of faith.

As an avid student of celebrities and personalities as well as a Christian, I was eager to dig into the newly released paperback edition of Dave's autobiography, Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir. I'll be honest: I wasn't expecting much from the book because, well, I've never read a head banger's autobiography before and really thought I was going to be bored out of my aging mind. Boy, was I wrong.

The book is very heavy in personal introspection and transparency. The reader will learn very quickly what make Mustaine tick and what ticks him off. Megadeth and Metallica fans will read lots of inside scoop on the history of both bands and lots of stories behind the songs. Dave also shares a lot of the interpersonal dynamics between him and the various configurations of his heavy metal enterprise.

Christians who pick up the book expecting to read something along the lines of B.J. Thomas's Home Where I Belong will be shocked. The language in the book is raw. Very raw. And, while I'm not one who uses the same kind of language as Mustaine chooses to use, I found his transparency and his simple, level-headed approach to his faith actually quite refreshing.

For those of you who run, not walk, from all things Christian, don't be such a wuss. Mustaine's book isn't "churchy". Actually, it's far from it. He states his faith in a matter-of-fact manner and doesn't try to jam anything down the reader's throat. He just puts himself out there as he is and you can take him or leave him. Either way, he's just going to keep on doing what he's doing while devoting more time to his family.

The reader will get the very clear impression from Dave that he knows he's lucky to still be playing guitar after going through his debilitating affliction with his money-making left hand. He also comes across as one who knows darn well that he shouldn't be alive and is living life as one who is fully enjoying his umpteenth chance at living life to its healthy fullest.

If you love reading about talented people - especially those who love a great rags to riches story, you're gonna love Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir. While you're ordering your copy, why not go ahead and get some Christmas shopping done for that head-banger friend or relative by picking up an extra copy or two? Just a thought.

Randy Patterson
Boomerocity

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Must-Read Book For All Metalheads!

I bought this book yesterday, and it was so exciting and so interesting that I had to finish it before I went to sleep. Since Dave Mustaine wrote the greatest thrash metal album ever (Peace Sells... But Who's Buying), it's not surprising that he would write the greatest metal biography ever.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Rachel McCleary

This book is awesome! It is a great read from beginning to end and I could not put it down. Dave has had an amazing life and to hear it told from him is fascinating! You get all the juicy details. I am a huge Megadeth fan and totally appreciate this book! Long live metal \m/

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good

Like most rockers who decide tell all autobiographies dave mustaine is one f%$#@& up dude. Doesnt really cover anything any other autobiography about the rock lifesyle hasnt already a thousandd times before but still an entertaining read

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Astounding! A metalheads must read

First thing: holy titf**k! Dave Mustaine's autobiography is one of the very best Ive had the pleasure of reading. His point of view on the situation with Metallica was exactly what I expected, but I agree with Dave! Even if you dont, though, you will appreciate his candor. He is extremely intelligent and witty. Some of his stories will make you laugh, while others will make you go completely limp jawed. One of metals greatest has opened a door that you should definately follow through. He will NEVER fail to shock and amaze you with his experiences, his intellect or his ingenuousness. I could understand a parents hesitance to let thier children read this, but im 15, and as long as the adolesent is mature and cognizant of some of the dangerous actions in this book then they should enjoy it and even pick up a valuable lesson. IM URGING YOU! ITS TOTALLY WORTH IT

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for ALL Megadeth fans!

I have been a Megadeth fan since there first album was released. It took GUTS for Dave to stand up and tell us his story and not hold back anything from the past...This is a great read and I would suggest that if you have ever been a Megadeth fan, past or present, to pick up this book immediately!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Something

This is a awesome book

My generation was the "hair band" and "death Rock

My generation was the "hair band" and "death Rock" and I use to watch him on Headbangers ball. Curious to see the behind the scenes of the of these group. And now as a christian I was curious to know how someone in that lifestyle would find Christ. I wouldn't recomment reading it as a conversion story if you don't wish to wade through ALOT of swearing, but on the human insterest perspective. It was good

Anonymous

Well written? Check. Honest? Check. Entertaining? Check. Worth reading? Check and Check. This book was EXCELLENT, and not because I was a huge Megadeth or Mustaine fan (although I am now, certainly of the latter)... You have just got to read this book, you'll see... and I've read A LOT of biographies. This one stands out.

Megadeth is the SHIT!!!!!

Megadeth 4EVER that is all i can say

Read it

I am a huge Megadeth fan, and to see the history of it through the eyes of the legend only makes it that much better. Great read for any metal fan, the only thing I didn't like was how little he went into the making of some of the albums, but otherwise an amazing read for any metalhead \m/

Surprisingly well written

This was not all at what I expected. While full of the details and minutiae of his childhood and rock and roll lifestyle, it was not salacious or overly graphic. The narrative voice is very erudite and full of insight. At times funny, amusing and clever, it was also brutally honest and appropriately self deprecating. I found this a compelling read, and not just for fans of the thrash band Megadeth. I read this the same week after reading another high profile rock and roll memoir. This is hands down one of the best ones I have read.

if a fan.. you will enjoy this

loved how it was very honest and forthcoming. Told the story of his life.. good bad or ugly. Was a enjoyable change from some other biographies where its all pretty and wrapped in a bow and in flowery prose. Loved how this was written as if he were actually talking to you.

Saph ish baq

Hey

Celia

...

Amanda

Yeah...

Jt

Hey

JONATHAN

I HATE MY CONNECTION IT SUX!

HUNGER GAMES AT

HUNGER GAMES RESULT 12 GET READY TO FIGHT

Mace

Sits with her chin on her knees listening to Rain.