Megadeth Hire Former Bassist James LoMenzo for North American Tour
Thrash legends Megadeth have announced the hiring of bassist James LoMenzo to play with the band for their Metal Tour of the Year. For long-time Megadeth fans, the name James LoMenzo is a familiar one. From 2006 to 2010, LoMenzo was a member of Megadeth.
“I’m happy to announce that former bassist and Megadeth alumni James LoMenzo has graciously stepped in on the Metal Tour of The Year,” said frontman Dave Mustaine. “Tour rehearsals just began, and we cannot wait to start crushing North America.”
LoMenzo has quite an impressive resume. He has played with Zakk Wylde, John Fogerty, and David Lee Roth among others. LoMenzo had recorded two albums with Megadeth during his initial stint with the band. After his departure from Megadeth, LoMenzo kept busy playing in multiple bands and making special appearances in albums by newer rock acts. Megadeth remains his most high-profile gig and LoMenzo is excited to be back.
“I’m super stoked to be rejoining Megadeth for the upcoming Metal Tour of the Year,” said LoMenzo. “There are no better fans than Megadeth fans, I can’t wait to get out there and shred some Megadeth music with you all.”
LoMenzo is replacing David Ellefson who was a founding member of Megadeth. This makes the second time LoMenzo has done that. Ellefson and Mustaine were the two constant members of the group and been close until a falling out developed between the two sometime around 2004 over a dispute concerning royalty and copyrights. The feud continued for a couple of years until LoMenzo was invited to be Ellefson’s replacement.
By 2010, Ellefson and Mustaine patched things up with both men embracing Christianity and being in more forgiving moods. A decade later, however, a leaked sex tape featuring Ellefson and a groupie having consensual sex would lead to further strain between the two bandmates. Soon after the scandal broke, the band announced that Ellefson would leave the band. This opened the door for LoMenzo’s return.
Putting all this behind them, Megadeth is focused on what they proudly proclaim to be an epic tour across 29 cities in North America. Co-headlining with Megadeth is Lamb of God who is promoting their critically acclaimed self-titled album. In addition, metalcore bands Trivium and Hatebreed will also be making appearances at various stops along the tour. The Metal Tour of the Year will even combine with Knotfest Iowa when the two shows collide in Des Moines.
Megadeth also announced they will finish recording their next album titled, The Sick, the Dying and the Dead, later this year. Mustaine has cryptically said that Ellefson’s bass parts are being re-recorded by “a stellar bass player.” It is unknown currently whether that bass player is LoMenzo or not.
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