Former MEGADETH Members Discuss New Project On 'Inside Metal' Show: 'We're Seeing This Thing Grow'

The as-yet-unnamed new "supergroup" featuring former MEGADETH members Chris Poland (guitar),Nick Menza (drums) and James Lomenzo (bass) made its first public appearance yesterday (Tuesday, December 9) on the sixth episode of the brand new Internet TV program "Inside Metal" hosted by Bob Nalbandian.

Speaking about how the new project came together, James said: "I've always been a giant fan of Nick's playing, especially in MEGADETH. I got to kind of know him intimately not having known him, just because we went through… when I was in the band. We went through a lot of old video tape and old recordings."

Lomenzo added about the new band's current status:" This is a really early stage. The exciting thing about it is we're seeing this thing grow."

He continued: "When Chris finally came on, we just kind of hit the pedal to the metal, and that's what we're doing right now, that's where we're at. So this thing is coming. And I'm impressed; I really am. 'Cause, I mean, I've been a fan of both these guys forever. And it's not just mutual admiration. I think we have a language musically."

Regarding the new project's musical direction, which has been described by some as "LED ZEPPELIN meets METALLICA," Nick said: "It's got some elements of that, but I'd say we're just so far beyond everything that's been heard already. It's gonna be a conglomerate of styles. It's gonna be what we like to do best — have fun, play… Our material is gonna be really out there. It's gonna be different. It's gonna pumped, it's gonna be heavy, but it's gonna be us."

On the topic of when the new band's first recorded material might be made available, Menza said: "We're gonna definitely have a bunch of material to work with. Right now we're just cycling around a bunch of riffs that we have and seeing what’s sticking and what's not. And then we'll take it to the next level and look for a singer. And possibly James might sing, I might sing… We don't know what's gonna happen."

Lomenzo also spoke about the project's vocalist situation, explaining: "We're actually… we're not interested in singers right now, 'cause we're still developing this core. And it's just easier for us and more efficient. I just think we're still feeling each other out as musicians, as a group, to see where we're going direction-wise. Bringing that other element right now, I think it might turn things on its side and slow things down a little."

Menza and Lomenzo's first jam session took place on June 25 at Menza's Disintegrator Studios in Studio City, California where they cracked through some of the old MEGADETH catalog along with some of their favorite METALLICA and LED ZEPPELIN songs.

Poland is best known for his work on MEGADETH's first two albums — "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" (1985) and "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" (1986).

Following the reissue of the entire MEGADETH catalog, Menza was invited to reunite with the band in 2004. Days after a reunion was announced, Menza was fired and replaced with Shawn Drover. MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine said that this was because Nick "just wasn't prepared."

Lomenzo joined MEGADETH in 2006 and appeared on two of the group's studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame". He was fired from the band in 2010 and replaced with returning original MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson.