One thing that had a lot of Megadeth fans very excited earlier this year was the prospect of a reunion from the band’s Rust In Peace era, including drummer Nick Menza and guitarist Marty Friedman. While the lineup that recorded their forthcoming Dystopia is a solid one, for nostalgia and guitar geeks sake, many were hoping it would be so, and the band even went so far as to jam with Menza. And while Mustaine admits that the reunion almost happened, he’s gone on the record as saying not only was it not his idea, but he didn’t want it to happen in the first place. Here’s what he told Irish outlet Overdrive:

David Ellefson (bass), was a total gentleman and stood up and said “look this wasn’t Dave’s idea to do this reunion, it was my idea”, because my take on it was, that I really didn’t want anything to do with it. As far as I was concerned, it’s done and let’s just leave it where it’s at. Dave really wanted to do the Rust In Peacething and I love Dave, he’s my partner, so I figured we’ll see what happens. When it didn’t happen, of course everybody blamed me and I was just politely saying “go fuck yourself.”

It’s cool that he’s proud of the current lineup, but if the Rust in Peace reunion had worked out, it would’ve  made everyone involved richer, not to mention would’ve likely brought some old-school fans out of the woodwork to see the band for the first time since Friedman and Menza were in the band. Mustaine isn’t doing himself any favors by being contrarian, but at least you know what you’re getting with him. In the meantime, there are other bands that are allegedly ok with reuniting with their classic lineups.

[via]