Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir Book

I think there are a lot of positive things that can come from a book like this. There are lessons here, and warnings, more than a few. It takes something to be this candid and open about the mistakes you've made, perhaps even more so if you're Dave Mustaine. If you've ever read up about him, or if you've followed his career, you'll know. He owns up to a lot here, generally clearing the water. Let's face it, there's only so much you can learn about someone like this on Wikipedia.

This is a confessional of sorts, I suppose, and a lot of what you read in here may be unsettling. Dave has led an eventful life, and no mistake. If you thought the old saying "sex, drugs & rock 'n roll" was just that, a saying, think again. In here you will find sex. You will find substance abuse of a mind-bogglingly excessive nature. Of course, the music is more metal than rock 'n roll, but still…. Oh, did I mention the drugs? You see, this is a story about survival, and if someone like Dave Mustaine can clean up and straighten out his life to the extent he describes here. Well… it certainly does seem to take away most people's excuses.

I suppose what most readers will be after when they read this, are the sections dealing with the founding of Metallica, Dave's subsequent, highly publicised by now, dismissal and, of course, the founding of Megadeth. Nothing wrong with that, of course, since I suppose most people will only be reading this book because they're into Heavy Metal in the first place. But I think that there is much more to it than that. Like I already mentioned, this is a story about survival. About being a man. About coming to the realisation that you have to be accountable for your own life at some point and that you can't blame others, or your past, for your own shortcomings. On that level, I think many people will be able to identify with Mr Mustaine.

This book comes recommended, but there is quite a bit of swearing and quite a bit of "mature" content, since this is, after all, still Dave Mustaine. Also, the writing itself isn't bad at all, which isn't too surprising considering Mustaine's history as songwriter. If you like music history and autobiographies, check it out! If you're a Megadeth fan, well, I suppose I don't even have to tell you, 'cause you'll have a copy already.