The story of Dave Mustaine’s ouster from Metallica is more than just a band breakup — it’s one of the most infamous feuds in heavy metal history, marked by violence, betrayal, and a legacy of what-could-have-been. Mustaine has spoken candidly over the years about how his time with Metallica ended, and what followed still fuels headlines.
Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica in 1983, but in his telling, it wasn’t just about band politics. He says part of the problem began with a personal altercation: “I slugged James in the mouth — what would you do if someone pelted you?” he later admitted. According to Mustaine, the fight started after James kicked one of his dogs during a rehearsal, which escalated into a full-blown confrontation.
That incident wasn’t just foolish in hindsight — Mustaine has called it “dumb,” especially now that he looks back with more perspective. Despite the animosity, he says he still has respect for Hetfield: “I really respect him and I respect his playing.”
It wasn’t just the dog fight. Mustaine has expressed his hurt over how abruptly things ended. In a 2009 interview, he recalled being told he was out of the band — with no warning, no second chance. “I said, ‘What?! No second chance, no warning? … And I said, ‘All right.’” He blamed his dismissal not just on his behavior, but on a broader lack of loyalty or understanding.
On top of that, Mustaine has laid claim to more than just bitterness — he’s accused Metallica of using his riffs without giving him proper credit. “You listen to the riffs, you know they’re my riffs,” he said, referring to tracks like Ride the Lightning, Phantom Lord, and The Four Horsemen. He’s also criticized the way songwriting credits were handled, especially on early Metallica records.
But it’s not all fire and hate. Mustaine has called himself the “alpha male” during his Metallica days — not just musically, but in how he carried himself: “Why did they always ask me talk to the promoters … Why was I the one who had to do the fighting?” he asked. That sense of responsibility came with its own cost.
Later attempts at reconciliation have had their moments. At one point, Mustaine revealed that he and Hetfield discussed doing music together again. He framed it as a mature, honest conversation: “There’s my side, there would be the other person’s side, and then there would be the truth … somewhere in the middle.” But disagreements over publishing rights ended those talks.
Now, decades later, he reflects on the mistake with a mix of regret and realism. “I wished things wouldn’t have ended the way that they did,” he said. For Mustaine, the feud goes beyond personal slights — it’s about legacy, respect, and what could have been if the rough edges had been handled differently.
