Marty Friedman, former guitarist for Megadeth, recently opened up about the alleged rivalry between Megadeth and Metallica, which has been widely reported over the years. According to Friedman, the tension between the two legendary metal bands is a fabrication created by the media. In a recent interview, Friedman revealed that the idea of a feud was sensationalized and that the two bands never had any real animosity. He stated, “I don’t think we cared as much about Metallica as people put in the press.”
While both bands found success during the same era, Friedman explained that Megadeth’s focus was always on their own path. He noted that they did admire Metallica’s accomplishments, but there was never any competition-driven hatred. “We were definitely our own band, our own entity,” he said. “We could certainly learn from Metallica’s great success,” but that didn’t translate into a need to “beat them.”
Friedman attributed the rise of the “rivalry” narrative to the media, which he believes exaggerated the situation for the sake of a good headline. He added, “I just remember the journalists: It’s a juicy headline, and so they go with it.” His comments highlight the fact that what fans thought was a bitter competition was actually much more cordial than it appeared. Despite this, the media’s portrayal of the rivalry persists to this day.
Now, Friedman is focused on his solo career, currently building a following in Japan. His stance on the supposed feud with Metallica suggests he never let it affect his career or personal relationships with fellow musicians.
Former Megadeth Guitarist Marty Friedman Clears Up Metallica Feud Rumors
