YOUR QUESTION:

09/12/2021 David Bole

Hey Trevor. Back in 1997 I sent you a guitar pick in the mail that you graciously signed with a note saying to play only death metal with it. Sadly, I am one of those annoying bassists who plays only with my fingers. I play mostly in a Rush tribute band so, your pick remains unused (but still treasured).

Enough preamble: while I believe to my core that Metallica is a superior band to Megadeth, I also firmly believe nothing Hetfield has written can out-badass the absolutely stunning masterpiece of early 90s thrash that is Holy Wars...The Punishment Due. The riffs and structure of that tune leave most of Metallica's output in the dust, even with Mustaine's excruciatingly shitty vocals. Have you an opinion on this? To be clear, I'm a bigger fan of Metallica, but I can clearly judge a song independently of any sense of loyalty as a fan.

MY ANSWER:

Honestly the last Metallica record I listened to was Master of Puppets. Neither of those bands really do it for me as they did when I was a testosterone laden tyke. But you’re right, Holy Wars was Mustaine in creative high gear. He was always the superior guitar player—which this song pretty much proves— and to be honest, I like his vocals. They’re a bit cartoonish but I find that fitting.