KINGS OF THRASH, the band featuring former MEGADETH members David Ellefson (bass) and Jeff Young (guitar),has announced the “Anarchy In The UK” tour with special guests ANDRY and HELLGRIMM. The trek will kick off October 24, 2024 and run through November 2, 2024.
KINGS OF THRASH, which also includes drummer Fred Aching as well as guitarist/vocalist Chaz Leon, will make its live debut in the United Kingdom, paying homage to the birthplace of heavy metal. This tour holds special significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking MEGADETH album “Youthanasia”, certified platinum in the USA and gold in the U.K., a milestone in Ellefson’s illustrious career.
“We are super thrilled to finally bring KINGS OF THRASH to the U.K., in many ways the origins of heavy metal,” said Ellefson. “Even more so celebrating some highlights of the 30th anniversary of the ‘Youthanasia’ album.
“The U.K. has been such a fantastic supporter for more than 40 years of our music, so it’ll be great to bring to our fans rare tracks and highlights of some of the most monumental albums in thrash metal history.”
Added Young: “I can’t wait to get back to the U.K. The last time I played there was with MEGADETH in 1988 at Castle Donington for the Monsters Of Rock festival, so this return trip is long overdue.”
In addition to commemorating the “Youthanasia” anniversary, the tour will also showcase select cuts from MEGADETH’s classic albums “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good”, “So Far…So Good… So What!” and “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” , promising an unforgettable experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
KINGS OF THRASH recently completed a couple of tours during which it performed “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!” and “So Far, So Good… So What!” A live CD/DVD package called “Best Of The West…Live At The Whisky A Go Go” was recorded and filmed live at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on October 15, 2022 and was released in March 2023 via Cleopatra Records. The DVD, which was directed by Michael Sarna for Inmotion Entertainment, includes an appearance by another ex-MEGADETH member, guitarist Chris Poland.
“Let me put it this way: What’s happening now is a win for all of us — Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH leader] included,” Young told Metal Edge in August 2023. “He gets to make money off the publishing from the MEGADETH songs we play. Dave knows that, so he’s very aware of us.”
Young continued: “He hates what KINGS OF THRASH is doing. But it doesn’t matter because, eventually, we’ll delete a lot of the MEGADETH from our set, and we’ll keep writing new stuff. But Dave is feeling the heat because we’re getting attention, and the KINGS OF THRASH album will be better than anything MEGADETH has done recently. And we’re playing all the MEGADETH songs better than he has in years. It’s not just me saying that — read the reviews.”
