Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland has once again reflected on one of the biggest “what if” moments in thrash metal history—and he says he has absolutely no regrets about the decision that changed his life.
Speaking in a new interview with Capital Chaos TV, Poland revisited the late-1980s period when Dave Mustaine invited him back into Megadeth following his departure from the band. While many fans have long wondered how the band might have sounded had Poland returned for the legendary Rust In Peace era, the guitarist insists saying no was the best decision he ever made.
“I wouldn’t change a thing, man,” Poland said.
According to Poland, the decision had little to do with music and everything to do with survival.
“I would have never made it out of that because there were still a couple more years before those guys got all that stuff out of their system. I almost didn’t make it to begin with.”
The guitarist explained that after overcoming his own struggles with substance abuse, returning to the same environment would likely have pulled him back into old habits.
Quoting former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, Poland added:
“You hang around a barbershop long enough, you’re gonna get a haircut.”
He continued by admitting he believes he would have eventually relapsed.
“Eventually I would’ve started using again. So no… I have no regrets. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
A reunion that almost happened
Poland originally played on Megadeth’s first two landmark albums, 1985’s Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! and 1986’s Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, helping shape the band’s early technical thrash sound before departing in 1987.
When Mustaine began rebuilding Megadeth before recording what would become 1990’s Rust In Peace, Poland was invited back. He even recorded guitar solos for early demo versions of several songs—including “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due,” “Tornado of Souls,” “Five Magics,” “Lucretia,” “Take No Prisoners,” and “Rust In Peace… Polaris.”
Ultimately, however, he declined to rejoin permanently, and the position instead went to Marty Friedman, whose work on Rust In Peace helped turn the album into one of heavy metal’s defining records. Poland’s original demo solos later surfaced on the album’s 2004 remastered edition.
Looking back without bitterness
Although Poland has had a complicated history with Mustaine over the years—including legal disputes and public disagreements—he insists his new memoir is not about settling scores.
The guitarist recently announced his upcoming autobiography, Now Leaving Metalopolis, written with author and music journalist Matt Herring.
Explaining why he finally decided to tell his story, Poland said:
“There’s just been stuff that’s been said… Sometimes people remember things differently. This is just my side of the story. There’s no sour grapes or anything. Hopefully there are more laughable stories than sad stories.”
His comments echo statements he made earlier this year, when he admitted his only real regret from his Megadeth years wasn’t leaving the band—it was the long-lasting effect of public accusations that damaged his professional reputation.
Still, Poland has repeatedly praised Mustaine’s musical talent, previously calling him one of metal’s greatest riff writers despite their personal differences.
Choosing life over legacy
For decades, fans have debated how different Megadeth’s history might have been had Poland accepted Mustaine’s invitation. Would Rust In Peace still have become one of the greatest thrash albums ever? Would Marty Friedman ever have joined the band? Poland says those questions simply don’t matter anymore. Looking back today, he believes declining the reunion may have done more than alter Megadeth’s history—it may have saved his own life. And after nearly four decades, he says he still wouldn’t change a single thing.
