Editing Dave Mustaine (section)

=== 2000s ===

[[File:Megadeth live in Bucharest, June 15th, 2005-2.jpg|thumb|Mustaine performing in [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]] in 2005]]

As the tour behind ''[[Risk (Megadeth album)|Risk]]'' soldiered on, [[Al Pitrelli]] replaced Friedman on the road. In April, the new lineup entered the studio to begin work on a new album a couple of months before they officially parted ways with Capitol Records. The summer was spent on the road with [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] and [[Mötley Crüe]]. Capitol released a compilation album in the fall, ''[[Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years]]'', featuring two brand new (and more metal-leaning) songs, "[[Dread and the Fugitive Mind]]" was one of the brand new songs and appeared on the next studio album the following year. With a new deal in place with [[Sanctuary Records]], Megadeth returned to the studio toward the end of the year to finish their album and on New Year's Eve, played a show in Anchorage, Alaska.

An acoustic tour sponsored by radio stations, a press tour, and a video shoot for the song "Moto Psycho" all preceded the May 2001 release of ''[[The World Needs A Hero]].'' The summer was filled with festival appearances supporting [[AC/DC]]. In September, Megadeth set out across North America with Endo and [[Iced Earth]]. VH1's "Behind the Music" special on Megadeth aired that year and was later released on DVD. At the end of the year, the band filmed two shows in Arizona, which were released as the 2CD and DVD ''[[Rude Awakening (Megadeth album)|Rude Awakening]].'' The early part of 2002 saw the release of a remixed and re-mastered ''Killing Is My Business...'' with bonus tracks and expanded packaging, followed by ''Rude Awakening''.

In January 2002, Mustaine was admitted to the hospital to have a [[kidney stone]] removed. While undergoing treatment, he was administered pain medication that triggered a relapse. Following his hospital stay, he immediately checked himself into a treatment center in Texas.<ref name="GW2003" /> While at rehab, Mustaine suffered an injury causing severe nerve damage to his left arm. The injury, induced by falling asleep with his left arm over the back of a chair caused compression of the [[radial nerve]].<ref>Mustaine, Dave. Megadeth, Behind the Music. VH1. 2011</ref> He was diagnosed with [[radial neuropathy]],<ref name="Billboard-04-03-02" /> also known as Saturday Night Palsy, which left him unable to grasp or even make a fist with his left hand.<ref name="Megadeth Disbands Press Release" />

On April 3, 2002, Mustaine announced in a press release that he was disbanding Megadeth, officially due to his arm injury.<ref name="Billboard-04-03-02">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76247/injury-forces-mustaine-to-disband-megadeth |title=Injury Forces Mustaine To Disband Megadeth |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=April 3, 2002 |access-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-date=July 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727073056/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76247/injury-forces-mustaine-to-disband-megadeth |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Megadeth Disbands Press Release">{{cite web |publisher=Megadeth's Official website |title=Megadeth Disbands Press Release |year=2006 |url=http://www.megadeth.com/news/pr/disband.html |access-date=November 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021225745/http://www.megadeth.com/news/pr/disband.html |archive-date=October 21, 2006}}</ref> For the next four months, Mustaine underwent intense physical therapy five days a week.<ref name="GW2003">{{cite journal |last=Epstein |first=Dan |title=Die Another Day |date=August 2003 |journal=Guitar World |url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_guitarworld2003.html |access-date=November 21, 2006 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729174243/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_guitarworld2003.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Slowly, Mustaine began to play again, but was forced to "re-teach" his left hand.

Mustaine himself gave what he called "the [[Reader's Digest]] version" of the whole matter during an interview for [[SuicideGirls]]: "I went into retirement because my arm got hurt really bad. I broke up the band which at the time was [[Al Pitrelli]], [[Dave Ellefson]], [[Jimmy DeGrasso]], and myself. I was having problems with Al because he liked to drink, and we didn't want to show up at places with him drunk. Al also got married to a nice woman, but he wanted to spend time with her. After a few years, most married men are willing to die, so I figured if we got a couple years into the marriage that might have changed. But the fact was, Al wasn't fitting. DeGrasso was really hard to be around because he was so negative all the time with his complaining about money and wanting things. Ellefson was all about 'play my songs, play my songs.' I hated being around these guys so when the arm injury happened, it was a welcome relief and an indication that I had to stop."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Megadeth+-+Dave+Mustaine/ |title=Megadeth – Dave Mustaine |access-date=May 16, 2008 |author=Daniel Robert Epstein |date=September 14, 2004 |work=SuicideGirls.com |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604192354/http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Megadeth+-+Dave+Mustaine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Dave Mustaine at Priest Fest.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Mustaine in 2009]]Mustaine went through physical therapy for his arm injury. During his recovery, he explored other areas of the music industry, including production. Contrary to what doctors had predicted, within a short time he fully recovered. However, all was mostly quiet on the Megadeth front for the better part of 2003. Mustaine left Jackson guitars, did a solo acoustic performance at a benefit show, unveiled his new ESP model at the NAMM convention, and oversaw the release of ''Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?'' as an audio DVD presented in Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

At the same time, Mustaine's personal life once again underwent changes. It was during this period that Mustaine became a Christian. He expressed his intent to withdraw from a show in Greece that had [[Rotting Christ]] and [[Dissection (band)|Dissection]] opening for Megadeth.<ref name="autogenerated3" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/rottingchrist2.html |title=Rotting Christ interview at |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |date=September 22, 2005 |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110080610/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/rottingchrist2.html |archive-date=November 10, 2016 }}</ref> Mustaine told ''[[The Daily Times (Blount County, Tennessee)|The Daily Times]]'' during a recent interview, his own world was already shattered, and becoming a Christian was the one way he's found to put the pieces back together. "I went back to being a Jehovah's Witness, but I wasn't happy with that." He later said in an interview, "Looking up at the cross, I said six simple words, 'What have I got to lose?' Afterwards my whole life has changed. It's been hard, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Rather go my whole life believing that there is a God and find out there isn't than live my whole life thinking there isn't a God and then find out, when I die, that there is."<ref name="thedailytimes.com">{{cite web |url=http://rockgod.co.nz/id192.htm |title=ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIER: Megadeth's Dave Mustaine talks of his spiritual reinvention |author=Wildsmith, Steve |date=November 19, 2009 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206091045/http://rockgod.co.nz/id192.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Mustaine also considers his talent a gift from God. "To be the No. 1 rated guitar player in the world is a gift from God and I'm stoked about it, but I think Chris is better than I am, anyway," he said. "Either way, I don't put too much earthly merit on it."<ref name="thedailytimes.com" />

In 2004 Mustaine oversaw the remixing and re-mastering of Megadeth's entire [[Capitol Records]] catalog. All albums were re-released with bonus tracks and full liner notes. With one album remaining in his contract to [[Sanctuary Records]], Mustaine began recording what he intended to be his first solo album with drummer [[Vinnie Colaiuta]] and bassist [[Jimmy Sloas]]. Complete with guest solos from old friend Chris Poland, this project became a new Megadeth album, ''[[The System Has Failed]],'' released on September 14, 2004. One month before, Mustaine announced a new touring lineup for Megadeth: [[Glen Drover]] ([[King Diamond]]/[[Eidolon (band)|Eidolon]]) and [[James MacDonough]] ([[Iced Earth]]). Nick Menza had briefly been a part of the new band before differences once again caused his departure. One week before a new US tour with [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] supporting, new drummer (and Glen's brother) [[Shawn Drover]] ([[Eidolon (band)|Eidolon]]) joined Megadeth.

The "Blackmail The Universe" tour started in February 2005 with Diamond Head and Dungeon supporting. Capitol released a new greatest hits, ''[[Greatest Hits: Back to the Start|Back to the Start]],'' in June, a month before Mustaine created "Gigantour" with [[Dream Theater]], [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], [[Fear Factory]], [[Symphony X]], [[The Dillinger Escape Plan]], [[Life of Agony]], and more. During 2005 Gigantour Mustaine brought a "spiritual counselor" to help him avoid the problems that almost cost him his life due to his prior drug addictions. The Dillinger Escape Plan frontman [[Greg Puciato]] stated: "He had a pastor walking around with him on tour and riding on his bus, I think to help keep him on the straight and narrow path."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=43063 |title=Dave Mustaine takes a Pastor on tour |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=October 21, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001010227/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=43063 |archive-date=October 1, 2007 }}</ref>

''[[Arsenal of Megadeth]]'', a two-disc anthology DVD, was released on March 21, 2006. Bass player James LoMenzo ([[Black Label Society]], [[White Lion]]) replaced James MacDonough in February shortly before the band headed to the Dubai Desert Rock Festival in the United Arab Emirates. On April 19, the band began recording a new album, ''[[United Abominations]],'' at SARM studios in the UK ([[David Gilmour]]'s house), they announced a worldwide deal with [[Roadrunner Records]] in May 2006. ''United Abominations'' was released worldwide on May 15, 2007. However, the album had already been leaked before its release. On January 13, 2008, Dave Mustaine confirmed that guitarist Glen Drover had quit Megadeth to focus on his family and that he had been replaced by [[Chris Broderick]] of [[Jag Panzer]]. The new lineup made its live debut in Finland on February 4 and returned to the US for Gigantour 2008 in the spring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://megadeth.com/announcement.php |title=Press Release |date=January 14, 2008 |publisher=Megadeth.com |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108011144/http://www.megadeth.com/announcement.php |archive-date=November 8, 2011 }}</ref> The band's twelfth studio album, ''[[Endgame (Megadeth album)|Endgame]]'', was released on September 15, 2009.

Mustaine planned to open Megadeth's California recording studio to under-privileged children to teach them about rock 'n' roll. The band owns a building in [[San Diego]], California, which has housed their recording equipment over the years. In an interview with ''[[Kerrang!]]'', Mustaine wanted to make better use of the studio by turning the space into a learning center for children who come from under-privileged backgrounds. He also said he vowed to teach them how to play instruments.<ref name="music">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dave_mustaine_to_open_school_of_rock.html |title=Dave Mustaine to Open School of Rock |work=ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=August 14, 2009 |archive-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817101625/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dave_mustaine_to_open_school_of_rock.html |url-status=live }}</ref>