I haven't spoken to James in years
Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine recently revealed the reason behind his last argument with Metallica guitarist James Hetfield. The incident occurred during a conversation about the copyright of the 'No Life 'Til Leather' demo, recorded in 1982. The dialogue ended abruptly and, since then, both musicians have not spoken again. The incident became known on January 29, 2026, and is set against the backdrop of a prolonged dispute over the authorship of several emblematic heavy metal songs.
The conversation between Mustaine and Hetfield revolved around the official release of the 'No Life 'Til Leather' demo, a historic recording for both musicians. Hetfield contacted Mustaine to discuss the possibility of releasing the album and resolving issues related to copyright. The conversation quickly took on a tense tone, leading to the definitive estrangement between the former bandmates.
According to statements by Dave Mustaine in a recent interview, broadcast by Rock FM, the dispute originated in the distribution of credits and royalties corresponding to songs in which he claims to have had a decisive participation.
Mustaine maintained that the conflict with Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Metallica's drummer, focuses on the allocation of percentages for the authorship of fundamental songs for the band. According to the musician, his former bandmates' decision to distribute credits unequally was the trigger for the disagreement.
THE COPYRIGHT CONFLICT
The problem arose when Metallica proposed to reissue 'No Life 'Til Leather' in different formats, including CD, vinyl, and a collector's edition. According to Mustaine, he composed all the music for songs like 'Phantom Lord', 'Metal Militia', 'Jump In The Fire', and 'The Mechanix', in addition to writing the lyrics for the last two.
"If I composed the music and James wrote the lyrics, then the credit is 50% mine and 50% James's," Mustaine stated. However, the musician pointed out that Lars Ulrich received a percentage of authorship in songs in which he did not participate as a composer.
According to Dave Mustaine's testimony, this situation prevented him from continuing any future collaboration with Metallica. The Megadeth leader expressed his discomfort at what he considers an injustice: "You have more money than God, why do you have to take mine?" These words reflect the magnitude of the conflict and the impossibility of reaching an agreement.
The No Life 'Til Leather demo was released in 2015 as a limited edition cassette for Record Store Day. According to Rock FM, Metallica then promised the publication of expanded versions, but so far they have not been officially released. The original recording featured Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Ron McGovney, and Dave Mustaine.
A CONVERSATION WITHOUT RECONCILIATION
In Mustaine's account, Hetfield called him to try to clarify the copyright and move forward with the release of the album. However, both maintained different versions about the events that occurred in 1982. Mustaine recalled that he offered his perspective, but Hetfield rejected his account. The discrepancy caused the conversation to end abruptly and, since then, they have not resumed contact.
According to Dave Mustaine, the lack of agreement and the tension accumulated over years made reconciliation impossible. The musician stated that the distance between both parties remains and the demo remains unpublished in its definitive version. The dispute over credits and royalties continues to affect the personal and professional relationship between the original members of Metallica and Mustaine.
The conflict over copyright and authorship of the songs on 'No Life 'Til Leather' illustrates how creative and economic differences can break bonds in the music industry. The inability to reach consensus left fans of both bands without the expected official reissue of a key piece in heavy metal history.
IMPACT ON THE HEAVY METAL SCENE
The rivalry between Dave Mustaine and Metallica dates back to the early years of both bands. Mustaine left Metallica in 1983 and founded Megadeth, a group that also achieved international recognition. Since then, clashes between the musicians were frequent and fueled the interest of fans.
According to specialized media, the case of No Life 'Til Leather became a symbol of the challenges artists face in protecting their legacy. The story demonstrates that intellectual property disagreements can last for decades and affect both artistic careers and personal relationships.
To date, the official reissue of the demo remains pending and the future of this material remains uncertain. Mustaine's stance and Metallica's response will define whether the recording will finally see the light. Meanwhile, the episode adds a new chapter to the long history of disagreements between two of the most important names in heavy metal.
Dave Mustaine and James Hetfield are protagonists of one of the genre's most remembered conflicts. The dispute over the credits of a historic demo and the lack of understanding forever marked the relationship between both musicians. The case of No Life 'Til Leather evidences the complexity of agreements in the music industry and leaves open the possibility of new tensions in the future.
