Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has confirmed the band are planning to release an album this year with a new lineup following the recent departures of guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover.
Both players issued separate statements in late November – just hours apart – that they were leaving to pursue their own musical interests; they have since confirmed plans to launch a new band together.
Now, Ellefson reflects on the lineup change, telling Spotlight Report “It is obviously going to be different without them. We spent five years together with them in that lineup, that is a long time. We did multiple live albums with them, two studio albums, we toured together. So it’s a bit like some family members are gone.”
“Especially through the holidays, I’ve kinda been a little sad about it,” he continued, “I realize that they wanted to move onto something else and I support them as my friends, but selfishly I’m definitely going to miss them for sure. Things are moving forward of course and there will be a new development happening on that front.”
As for the status of the group’s search for new members, Ellefson says "I can't talk about it yet; I can't say anything. Most importantly, we're moving forward with writing a new album. Once we get into the studio to record it, then the lineup will naturally evolve around that."
Asked about the timing of the follow-up to 2013’s “Super Collider”, Ellefson says “It’s supposed to come out later this year!”
Frontman Dave Mustaine recently issued his first public comments on the band’s status following the release of footage of Ellefson rehearsing with an as-yet-undisclosed drummer.
See also:
Dave Mustaine issues Megadeth update
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