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More Life With Deth
In this follow-up to his 2013 memoir My Life With Deth, Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson carries on where he left off, charting his mid-2000s departure from Megadeth through his triumphant return in 2010, and offering an inside look at the continuing saga of one of the world’s biggest and most enduring heavy-metal bands.
Co-written with his business partner, Thom Hazaert – a celebrated music-industry figure, radio personality, and music journalist – More Life With Deth chronicles Megadeth’s record-shattering ‘BIG 4’ shows alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, and the release of their Grammy-winning Dystopia – their highest-charting record in over twenty-five years – and the massive two-year world tour supporting it.
Far more than your typical rock star tell-all, More Life with Deth also delves deeper into the origins of Megadeth and David’s roots in rural Minnesota, and tells the stories behind the creation of his hugely successful EMP Label Group, Ellefson Coffee Co., and the relaunch of the famed metal label Combat Records, as well as his continued personal journey of spirituality and sobriety.
Told through the words of Ellefson, Hazaert, and friends including Alice Cooper, Brian ‘Head’ Welch (Korn), Kristian Nairn (Game Of Thrones), Mark Tremonti, K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth), Chris Adler (Lamb Of God, Megadeth), Dan Donegan (Disturbed), and many more, More Life With Deth is an insightful and personal look at one of the most revered rock musicians – and preeminent heavy-metal entrepreneurs – of our time.
Co-written with his business partner, Thom Hazaert – a celebrated music-industry figure, radio personality, and music journalist – More Life With Deth chronicles Megadeth’s record-shattering ‘BIG 4’ shows alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, and the release of their Grammy-winning Dystopia – their highest-charting record in over twenty-five years – and the massive two-year world tour supporting it.
Far more than your typical rock star tell-all, More Life with Deth also delves deeper into the origins of Megadeth and David’s roots in rural Minnesota, and tells the stories behind the creation of his hugely successful EMP Label Group, Ellefson Coffee Co., and the relaunch of the famed metal label Combat Records, as well as his continued personal journey of spirituality and sobriety.
Told through the words of Ellefson, Hazaert, and friends including Alice Cooper, Brian ‘Head’ Welch (Korn), Kristian Nairn (Game Of Thrones), Mark Tremonti, K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth), Chris Adler (Lamb Of God, Megadeth), Dan Donegan (Disturbed), and many more, More Life With Deth is an insightful and personal look at one of the most revered rock musicians – and preeminent heavy-metal entrepreneurs – of our time.
264 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 30, 2022
I’ve been a Megadeth fan since I was a junior high kid. Dave Ellefson’s ongoing life journey, both in and out of the band, is a treasure trove of experience and inspiration. Not only is he one of the finest musicians to ever pick up a bass guitar and thrash, he is a genuinely nice guy.
This book is a continuation of his earlier autobiographical work. I read it over the course of two nights - It’s very easy to read and written without any sign of pretense. A refreshing gift to the rock/metal world!
What I found most interesting was his growth as a person, leaving behind some of the confining stereotypes that accompany fame, especially in the heavy metal business. A common theme from his time away from Megadeth is the importance of finding a way to say “yes” when asked to step outside one’s comfort zone. Dave emphasizes the opportunities that emerged through this mindset.
I was not really aware of Dave’s religious faith, something that seems to have grown over time. While not a religious person myself, I respect his beliefs, mainly because he manages to have them without the ostentatious displays of piety and judgmental attitude. He talks about this as a matter of course, not making it the central focus of the book but not hiding it either.
In any event, the fact that Dave Ellefson is still going strong makes me happy. His music has been part of my life’s soundtrack ever since the “Peace Sells . . .” album. This book is a must-read for any Megadeth fan and for any fan of music in general!
This book is a continuation of his earlier autobiographical work. I read it over the course of two nights - It’s very easy to read and written without any sign of pretense. A refreshing gift to the rock/metal world!
What I found most interesting was his growth as a person, leaving behind some of the confining stereotypes that accompany fame, especially in the heavy metal business. A common theme from his time away from Megadeth is the importance of finding a way to say “yes” when asked to step outside one’s comfort zone. Dave emphasizes the opportunities that emerged through this mindset.
I was not really aware of Dave’s religious faith, something that seems to have grown over time. While not a religious person myself, I respect his beliefs, mainly because he manages to have them without the ostentatious displays of piety and judgmental attitude. He talks about this as a matter of course, not making it the central focus of the book but not hiding it either.
In any event, the fact that Dave Ellefson is still going strong makes me happy. His music has been part of my life’s soundtrack ever since the “Peace Sells . . .” album. This book is a must-read for any Megadeth fan and for any fan of music in general!
May 23, 2023
I had two reservations before reading this book. The first is that this is Ellefson's second book, the first one being a memoir, so one wonders how much more he has to say. The second is that this was published in 2019, so it obviously doesn't deal with the leaked video from 2021 of Ellefson sexting with a teenage (19) fan that eventually led to his dismissal from Megadeth. So that more recent development kind of colours everything you read here. So when he talks about commitment to his family you kind of roll your eyes, when he signs Doll Skin, a rock band made up of teenage girls you get an icky feeling, and when he talks about his faith, especially when he talks about how a sex scandal leads to accusations of hypocrisy, it all seems very ironic.
Anyway, let's put that last point aside, because even without that, there's not much here, and what there is isn't very good. There's a lot of quotes from other people - musicians, personal acquaintances - talking about how great Ellefson is, how down to earth, etc. A lot of hot air. Some of the stories don't really seem to have a point, and some - like Alice Cooper talking about his son's band - just seem to be there to promote the speaker's agenda.
He also has a few chapters near the end, talking about his early days. I read his first book awhile ago, so I'm wondering if this is a rehash? If not, why put that at the back of the book? It just seems like a lot of filler. And some of it is out of order - at one point, one of his friends that moved to LA with him talks about Dave Mustaine offering spots in Megadeth to the Ellefson and his two friends, and the speaker asks "why about Will? (I don't think it's really Will, but I don't have the book here). Mustaine says "well, that's the problem." I went back trying to find out who this guy is, to no avail. We find out in the next anecdote that "Will" is currently in Megadeth. Why put that there when we haven't been introduced to "Will" yet?
And with all these quotes from various people, Dave Mustaine is glaring by his absence. Ellefson seems to suggest that they are both close, both important parts of Megadeth, but Mustaine can't be bothered to write anything for the book on Ellefson? It seems very strange.
Ultimately, this feels like a book that has nothing to say. It just seems to position Ellefson as a good-natured doer, that manages to get stuff done by saying yes, and a founder and vital part of the band Megadeth. Mustaine obviously doesn't feel the same based on recent comments he has made. This book is not worth the reading, unless you're a huge Ellefson fan.
Anyway, let's put that last point aside, because even without that, there's not much here, and what there is isn't very good. There's a lot of quotes from other people - musicians, personal acquaintances - talking about how great Ellefson is, how down to earth, etc. A lot of hot air. Some of the stories don't really seem to have a point, and some - like Alice Cooper talking about his son's band - just seem to be there to promote the speaker's agenda.
He also has a few chapters near the end, talking about his early days. I read his first book awhile ago, so I'm wondering if this is a rehash? If not, why put that at the back of the book? It just seems like a lot of filler. And some of it is out of order - at one point, one of his friends that moved to LA with him talks about Dave Mustaine offering spots in Megadeth to the Ellefson and his two friends, and the speaker asks "why about Will? (I don't think it's really Will, but I don't have the book here). Mustaine says "well, that's the problem." I went back trying to find out who this guy is, to no avail. We find out in the next anecdote that "Will" is currently in Megadeth. Why put that there when we haven't been introduced to "Will" yet?
And with all these quotes from various people, Dave Mustaine is glaring by his absence. Ellefson seems to suggest that they are both close, both important parts of Megadeth, but Mustaine can't be bothered to write anything for the book on Ellefson? It seems very strange.
Ultimately, this feels like a book that has nothing to say. It just seems to position Ellefson as a good-natured doer, that manages to get stuff done by saying yes, and a founder and vital part of the band Megadeth. Mustaine obviously doesn't feel the same based on recent comments he has made. This book is not worth the reading, unless you're a huge Ellefson fan.
March 16, 2020
Buku ini masih semenarik buku Ellefson yang sebelumnya. Bahkan banyak fakta menarik terkait Nick Menza dan cerita-cerita dibalik layar. Namun ada dua poin gaya bercerita buku ini yang membuat saya kurang nikmat mengecapnya, yang pertama adalah tematik cerita yang loncat-loncat antarperiode waktu sehingga cukup melelahkan saya mengikutinya. Gaya satu bab kecil dengaj satu tema juga mengganggu.
Kedua, terlalu banyak kutipan langsung dari kolega-kolega Ellefson. Walau beberapa sangat informatif, namun porsi yang sangat banyak (mungkin hingga 30% - 40% isi buku) membuat inti cerita berkurang —dan bagi saya mengurangi fleksibilitas Ellefson dalam bercerita (atau aslinya memang tidak banyak yang ingin diceritakan?).
Namun yes tetap direkomendasikan bagi penggemar MegadetH.
Kedua, terlalu banyak kutipan langsung dari kolega-kolega Ellefson. Walau beberapa sangat informatif, namun porsi yang sangat banyak (mungkin hingga 30% - 40% isi buku) membuat inti cerita berkurang —dan bagi saya mengurangi fleksibilitas Ellefson dalam bercerita (atau aslinya memang tidak banyak yang ingin diceritakan?).
Namun yes tetap direkomendasikan bagi penggemar MegadetH.
June 5, 2021
I don't care about Ellefson's Christian journey and thankfully there's less of that in this book than in the first one as far as I remember. Also don't care about his coffee company and stuff. I'm just interested in the history of Megadeth and dug learning more about how Dystopia was made. Kind of weird to read this book right after Ellefson got himself kicked out of the band -- gives the whole thing a kind of "hindsight" quality. A bummer since I have tickets to see Megadeth this year. He's an amazing bass player and has made a lot of great albums with Megadeth (and some other albums with other project that I, again, don't care about), which, let's face it, is really just Dave Mustaine anyway.
August 19, 2019
First half is very chronologically linear, picking up more or less where his previous book left off. Second half is a bit more jumbled, using more recent happenings to retread ground that has already been covered in the first book.
The inclusion of commentaries from other people (ex-band members/coworkers, friends, other musicians in general) was a welcome change of pace and, except for maybe one or two commentators who kind of rambled aimlessly, was always relevant to what the current chapter was about, offering new perspective on that time of David's life.
All in all, a couple of criticism, but I wouldn't mind reading it again, so it's a 5/5.
The inclusion of commentaries from other people (ex-band members/coworkers, friends, other musicians in general) was a welcome change of pace and, except for maybe one or two commentators who kind of rambled aimlessly, was always relevant to what the current chapter was about, offering new perspective on that time of David's life.
All in all, a couple of criticism, but I wouldn't mind reading it again, so it's a 5/5.
September 23, 2020
Very quick read that sort of expands on Ellefson's last book, with less emphasis on faith and more on his business ventures and as Megadeth's defacto brand ambassador. Paired well with the Rust In Peace book that just came out. It's funny to see how big of a part Ellefson was in the thrash birth and to see his current takes on metal...they're very much a guy in his mid-50s, sounding a little out of touch but spinning his side of "the industry".
August 19, 2019
I enjoyed this book. Very well done
May 12, 2021
A Good read. He does come across a bit egotistical at times but I guess that comes from being a rock star.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews