Dave Mustaine

David Scott "Dave" Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of Heavy Metal band Megadeth. He was born in La Mesa, California. Before forming Megadeth, he was one of the founding members of Metallica, but was forced to leave the band due to his problems with alcohol abuse, as well as crack cocaine.

Mustaine was raised a Jehovah's Witness, but after he was found driving under the influence, and after an accident for which he had risked the ability to play guitar, Mustaine converted to Christianity in 2002, and has since been an advocate of family values. He remains critical of authorities such as the U.S. Government and the United Nations.

His lyrics are characterized by an aggressive temper, especially toward authority figures. Megadeth's lyrical output has dwelled on political themes.

He stated that he voted for George W. Bush in 2004, because he felt that John Kerry would ruin America[1].

Mustaine professed his Christian faith in the song Shadow of Death from the 2003 album The System Has Failed. The song starts off with the lyric "Auxilium meum a Domino" which is Latin for "My help comes from the Lord", the lyrics then contains a direct reading of Psalm 23.

Mustaine holds socially conservative views, and opposes same-sex "marriage", and when asked if he supported its legalization, "I'm Christian. The answer to that would be no"[2].

He expresses clearly his ideas toward the United Nations in the song United Abominations, off the album of the same title:

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"Within striking distance from Ground Zero sits a smoldering international cauldron

The United "Abominations" as it were

Forged to prevent wars and froze in the face of disaster

And stood silent while terrorization took hostage of the world

In a mire of hypocrisy, the UN ignored sex crimes by its blue helmets

And enables terrorism, so, in the end, it's failed

And the UN is where our so-called friends get to stab us in the back

And we pay twenty-two percent of their tab to host our enemies here at home

Ambassadors from countries otherwise known as a catastrophe

Enjoy diplomatic immunity living in Manhattan

While their children are turned into prostitutes

It's a complete and utter disgrace, a blot on the face of humanity

And they get away with it"

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He is also very critical of Iraq war and U.S. intervention abroad, e.g. in the same song as above:

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I fear to undo the failings in Iraq, Iran, and Korea You may bury the bodies But you can't bury the crimes only Fools stand up and really lay down their arms

He also reveals his beliefs on dictatorships in the song Symphony of Destruction, which many see as a metaphor of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

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## References[edit]

1. ↑ Dave Mustaine Says John Kerry Will 'Ruin Our Country' - Oct. 25, 2004 , Blabbermouth.net
2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120220235040/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169975