Few rivalries in Metal history are as legendary as Metallica vs. Megadeth. The two bands share intertwined origins, with Dave Mustaine’s dismissal from Metallica in 1983 leading directly to the formation of Megadeth. For decades, fans have debated which band reigns supreme in thrash. Now, Slayer’s Kerry King, a man who knows a thing or two about speed, aggression, and precision, has weighed in with his own take.
In a recent interview, King was asked to choose between the two titans. His answer, though diplomatic, left no doubt about where his allegiance lies:
“For me, it’s Metallica. I love a lot of what Megadeth did, especially in the ‘80s, but Metallica had the songs that changed everything,” King said. “They made metal huge, they brought it to the stadiums without selling out, at least in the early years.”
King explained that while both bands helped shape thrash metal, Metallica’s songwriting and ability to connect with fans on a global scale gave them an edge.
“When Master of Puppets came out, it was untouchable. You couldn’t deny how heavy it was, but it was still melodic, still memorable. Slayer was faster, Megadeth was more technical, but Metallica had the hooks,” he added.
That doesn’t mean King hasn’t admired Mustaine’s work. Slayer and Megadeth shared the stage countless times, most notably during the “Big Four” shows in 2010 and 2011, when Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax united for a historic run. King looked back on those nights with respect for Mustaine’s resilience.
“Dave’s one of the most driven guys I’ve ever met,” King said. “He’s got that fire, you can tell his whole career was built on proving people wrong. I respect that. And Megadeth has made some killer records like Peace Sells and Rust in Peace that still hold up today.”
Still, King’s ultimate nod to Metallica came down to impact and consistency.
“If you’re talking about who defined thrash metal for the world, it’s Metallica. They kicked the doors open for all of us,” he said. “Slayer might have been heavier, Megadeth might have been more technical, but Metallica changed the culture.”
Even as Slayer remains retired from touring (with King now pursuing his solo project), his words carry weight among metal fans who grew up worshiping the “Big Four.” And while debates between Metallica and Megadeth supporters will likely rage forever, Kerry King’s verdict highlights a simple truth: both bands helped forge the foundation of modern metal, but Metallica built the cathedral.
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