Ellefson Coffee Co to Premiere Nick Menza Documentary Trailer at NAMM Show


David Ellefson (Megadeth)’s Ellefson Coffee Co.®, will exhibit at the 2024 NAMM Show, January 25-28, Anaheim Convention Center, CA. On the Saturday, the booth will premiere the trailer for This Was My Life: The Story of Nick Menza, an upcoming documentary about Ellefson’s former bandmate. The Ellefson Coffee Co.® booth number 5030 located inside Hall D will feature the VIP Rock & Roll Lounge Experience, and will premiere the official trailer at 12pm PST. It will be hosted by David Ellefson & Nick Menza’s sister Donia Menza Ontiveros, followed by a Q&A joined by Chris Poland and close friend Dr. Randall Kertz, (Ellefson’s bass tech from 1989-90), both featured in the film. Keep reading below for more.

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INTERVIEW: Dirk Verbeuren of Megadeth – “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead” Album Breakdown


 


Ghost Cult’s Omar Cordy held an EXCLUSIVE interview with Dirk Verbeuren of Megadeth! They caught up to discuss the new album “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” and a variety of signposts in Dirk’s journey in heavy music. He chatted about the new album, the return of touring, how the band chooses a setlist, Megadeth’s many soundtrack favorites, Dirk’s thoughts on Gar Sameulson, and Nick Menza, how he made it into the band, how he chose to leave Soilwork in a professional way, his many passions outside of music, and more!

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INTERVIEW: Jeff Young of Kings of Thrash Discusses Megadeth History, Nick Menza Memories, and New Music!


Ghost Cult caught up with Jeff Young of Kings of Thrash – a metal supergroup including David Ellefson, and Chris Poland all formerly of Megadeth! Jeff discusses how the band united over the documentary celebrating the life of Nick Menza, coming soon.Jeff reflects on his history in Megadeth, his many music projects outside rock and metal, tour plans for the new band, honoring the legacy of late members Gar Samuleson and Nick, building a playing chemistry with Chris Poland, Jeff’s practice regimen, jamming with Steve Jones of Sex Pistols plans for an all original EP of new music from Kings of Thrash soon!

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Documentary About the Life of Former Megadeth Drummer Nick Menza Announced


Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show 2016, by Melina D Photography

Screaming Butterfly Entertainment, the West Virginia-based film company has announced “This Was My Life”, an uncensored documentary focusing on late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza. Menza died tragically of a heart attack in May of 2016. “This Was My Life” will be the first-ever film to memorialize Menza’s legacy and celebrate his life. One of the best Thrash Metal drummers of all time, he was a member of Megadeth’s now-classic Rust In Peace lineup of the band. Menza’s family has authorized the film. Watch a trailer now!

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Megadeth To Perform Entire “Youthanasia” Album Next Halloween


Megadeth will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their Youthansia album on Halloween, October 31st by playing the record in its entirety on October 31 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado. The album, released on November 1st 1994 via Capitol Records, was certified platinum in an age when physical albums, specifically CD’s drove sales. Continue reading


Watch Pro-Shot Video of Late Megadeth Drummer Nick Menza playing ‘Holy Wars’


Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show 2016, by Melina D Photography

Thrash metal legend Nick Menza passed away in 2016. Nick was best known for his work on classic Megadeth line-up from 1989 -1998. Now previously unreleased pro-shot drum cam video has surfaced of Nick performing Megadeth hit ‘Holy Wars’, in HD. The pro video, four-camera-angle mix, was filmed in March 2014 at Uberbeatz Studios in Seattle, Washington. The footage was supposed to be used for the late drummer’s first-ever instructional DVD, “Intense Mega Drumming”, that was to feature 10 re-recorded classic Megadeth drum tracks with tons of tips and tricks from Menza’s arsenal to help teach anybody out there become a better player. The DVD — which was produced and directed by Kari Pearson and Menza’s manager, Robert Bolger — has since been shelved and the footage will be utilized for another project that will be announced soon. Many future projects celebrating Menza are in the works. His book Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza by J. Marshall Craig was released in December via Post Hill Press.Continue reading


A Nick Menza Charity Event Is Coming To Hollywood Next Month


Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show 2016, by Melina D Photography

Late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza passed away in 2016, leaving a hole in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans. On Sunday, April 22nd, The Nick Menza Chronicles: A Celebration Of Life On Canvas, Wood And Heavy Metal will take place. The event promises to be a celebration of Nick’s work and life in a charity concert as money will be raised in a charity auction. Details for the event, taking place at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, California, are below.Continue reading


Happy 25th Anniversary To Megadeth’s ‘Countdown To Extinction’


On this day in 1992, Megadeth released Countdown to Extinction to the masses via Capitol Records. This was the second release to feature the “classic” lineup of Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, David Ellefson and Nick Menza, and one that changed the band forever. As Dave has previously stated, “Countdown was a turning point for us. We saw the writing on the wall that an era was ending. We knew we couldn’t make Rust In Peace again, but I believe we kept a lot of our credibility with these songs because some were still really heavy, while others were just as evil, but slower.

The end result was a record that featured instant classics like ‘Skin O’ My Teeth’, ‘Symphony Of Destruction’, and ‘Sweating Bullets’, and their fans responded in a huge way. Countdown to Extinction entered the Billboard 200 chart at number two, which is the band’s highest debut ever, and it’s still widely considered a must-have for anyone who calls themselves a fan of heavy metal.Continue reading


Nick Menza, Former Megadeth Drummer Passes Away At Age 51


Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show 2016, by Melina D Photography

Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show 2016, by Melina D Photography

Nick Menza, who played drums for Megadeth during their most succesful period in their career has passed away at age 51. Reports have confirmed that Nick suffered a heart attack while performing with the band OHM at the Baked Potato club in Los Angeles. Two audience members attempted to perform CPR on him until emergency personell arrived, but he was unable to be revived. Menza was a member for the legendary thrash band from 1989-to 1998 and again in 2004 and played notably on Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction (both Capitol Records).

Menza’s friend Allen Hall posted the following message as a tribute to his friend:

We lost an amazing talent and fantastic person yesterday. Nick Menza was the nicest and most sincere guy you should ever hope to meet. He would take the shirt off his back to help you if you needed it. He had a passion for artwork, not just metal music. His tastes were far wider than that genre, which always irked his manager.

He was a painter, a sculptor, a wood carver, a digital artist, a musician, a handicraftsman of metal and wood. He had an amazing creative talent, a flare for the fringes and a great imagination. I enjoyed the many projects we had where he needed advice on how to manufacture something, or glue it, or plate it. We made a good team, his artful talents and my practical knowledge on making things. Last week we had decided to start full production of 40 cajone drums per week, his talents here were extraordinary and we had discussed that this might be his true calling, a marriage of music, wood and hand carved art. I am sure it would have been a success.

He liked to spin me up over conspiracy theories and aliens on purpose, just so he could get a rise out of me arguing that it was nonsense. He was someone who made hanging out quality time all the time. He used to get pissed at me when i would bring loud or shocking toys over for his kids when they visited, though he shared an equal enthusiasm with his kids for the Tesla coils I brought over.

We used to sit around and think of crazy things to film and put on youtube. Things like alien conspiracy and such just for laughs. We made a fake UFO video once using after effects for fun and were shocked that it had such an enthusiastic following. So we let the story fly and were planning a follow on video of him being abducted. I wish we had found the time to do that, It would have been hilarious.

Nick, you were taken too soon, it must have been a mistake, the world was a better place with you in it. I will miss you dearly my friend. Nicholas and Dante will miss you far worse. My heart goes out to your family.

Megadeth front man Dave Mustaine, learning of the news, tweeted a message of disbelief:

mustaine tweets about nick menza rip ghostcultmag

 

Friend and former Megadth guitarist Marty Friedman also shared his grief:

 

Megadeth Rust In Peace album cover Ghostcultmag


The NAMM Show 2016 Recap


NAMM Ghost Cult-36

Once again Ghost Cult, along with the entire music industry it seems, invaded Anaheim, CA for The National Association of Music Merchants, a.k.a. THE NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention center. Taking over the town and part of greater Los Angeles at Night, NAMM is becoming more and more of a yearly pilgrimage for brands, gear heads and artists. Autograph and selfie-seeking fans are also starting to dip in to part of the main weekend, with really only the first two days being “industry only types”. That dynamic is expected to change in 2017 when fans have free range for the entire event. In the mean time the name of the game is networking and wheeler dealer action between manufacturers, merchants and artist reps. The main action is at the booths where the big name gear companies show their new wares, and artists from the up and coming to the legendary vie for attention and props. All day long it’s a schmooze fest and a meeting of the minds in terms of gear mavens, and artists jamming. At night it is the special events such as this years’ NAMM Jam, Tribute to Randy Rhodes, and other events, many held for charity that pack the clubs at a more-exclusive-than-usual for L.A., clip. Whatever your motivation for attending, THE NAMM Show, and its summer-time counterpart can’t be beat for an awesome industry experience and eye-popping star power all in one place. Thanks to Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography or covering it for us this years and bringing us there with her amazing photo set!

 

Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

Shawn Drover of Act of Defiance at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Shawn Drover of Act of Defiance at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

Soultone display at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Soultone Cymbals display at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

Marshall Amps at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Marshall Amps at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs, by Melina D Photography

Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs, by Melina D Photography

Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Nick Menza (ex-Megadeth) at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

ESP Guitars display at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Gear abounds at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

John 5 at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

John 5 at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society at The NAMM Show, by Melina D Photography

 

 

 

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