Megadeth bassist David Ellefson streaming a version of the vintage Def Leppard track, “Wasted”, as a preview to his forthcoming album, “No Cover.”
The tune sees the rocker joined by vocalists Thom Hazaert and Jacob Bunton (Mick Mars, Lynam) – with additional help from Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N’ Roses), guitarists Frank Hannon (Tesla) and Andy Martongelli, and drummer Dave McClain (Sacred Reich, Machine Head).
“Wasted” was the lead single from Def Leppard’s 1980 debut, “On Through The Night”; produced by Thom Allom, the project – which included “Rock Brigade”, “Hello America” and “When The Walls Came Tumbling Down” – reached No. 15 on the UK charts and peaked at No. 51 on the US Billboard 200.
Due October 2 under the Ellefson banner, the Def Leppard connection is further explored with the record’s cover art, which pays homage to the UK group’s first album.
“No Cover” features 17 classic tunes redone by Ellefson that were originally recorded by Judas Priest, AC/DC, Queen, Sweet, Cheap Trick, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Nazareth and more, including those listed above alongside contributions from Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies), Brandon Yeagley (Crobot), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Troy Lucketta (Tesla), Mark Slaughter, Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, ex-Watchtower, Evil United), Gus G, Doro Pesch, Todd Kerns (Slash & The Conspirators) and more.
“Before any of us started writing our own songs, we all began playing cover songs by our heroes during our formative years as musicians,” says Ellefson. “So, it’s fun to go back in time and revisit those songs which helped us to become the artists we are today, when, ironically, many of those artists have now become peers and friends.
“A lot of our buddies have been playing covers and quarantine jams on the Internet during the pandemic,” he adds, “so this was really just an extension of that, but we took it the next level and actually recorded a full studio album. We’ve been working remotely anyway, as we’re all over the Globe, so it was easy to incorporate some guests jumping in with some outstanding performances of their own. It’s been a really fun nod to making great music with our friends, which is the whole reason we got into this in the first place!”
Ellefson and Megadeth have been in the studio working on the follow-up to 2016’s “Dystopia”; the band recently announced rescheduled dates for a co-headlining tour of North America with Lamb Of God, which has been moved to summer 2021.
Ellefson
“No Cover”
Release date: October 2
01. Freewheel Burning (Judas Priest) ft. Jason McMaster, Gus G, Andy James, Dave McClain
02. Tear It Loose (Twisted Sister) ft. Eddie Ojeda, Dave McClain
03. Love Me Like A Reptile (Motorhead) ft. Doro Pesch, Greg Handevidt, Chuck Behler
04. Holiday in Cambodia (Dead Kennedys) ft. Charlie Benante
05. Rebel Yell (Billy Idol)
06. Wasted (Def Leppard) ft. Frank Hannon, Jacob Bunton, Dave McClain, Bumblefoot
07. Riff Raff (AC/DC) ft. Jason McMaster, Dave Lombardo
08. Nailed To The Gun (Fight) ft. Andrew Freeman, Russ Parrish, Jimmy DeGrasso
09. Not Fragile (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) ft. John Aquilino
10. Say What You Will (Fastway) ft. Troy Lucketta, Mark Slaughter
11. LOVE Machine (W.A.S.P.) ft. Dirk Verbeuren, Dave Alvin
12. Love Hurts (Nazareth) ft. Brandon Yeagley, Chuck Behler, Tyson Leslie
13. Sheer Heart Attack (Queen) ft. Bumblefoot, Doro Pesch, Charlie Benante
14. Sweet FA (Sweet) ft. Todd Kerns, Bumblefoot, Shani Kimelman
15. TBA
16. TBA
17. Auf Wiedersehen (Cheap Trick) ft. Al Jourgensen, Brandon Yeagley, Charlie Benante
Bonus Tracks
18. Eat The Rich (Krokus) ft. Dead By Wednesday
See also:
Megadeth reschedule North American tour
Megadeth to headline virtual concert event
hennemusic LIVE: Megadeth stream 2017 Wacken Open Air performance
hennemusic LIVE: Megadeth stream 2018 Resurrection Fest performance
Search Megadeth at hennemusic
Search Def Leppard at hennemusic
