In an announcement that should come as a shock to absolutely nobody, Megadeth have announced they have parted ways with Roadrunner Records and they are currently free agents.
Today marks the end of an era with Roadrunner @rrusa. Hopefully we can finish strong with a #Grammy.
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) December 9, 2012
Mustaine posted the above tweet yesterday, making mention of his recent Grammy nomination, and seemed rather humble in the tweet, which is far different than how he's previously remarked in the press about his now former label.
"Kudos, Roadrunner, the is the first worldwide critically acclaimed record by the press, and the fans, and you just can't seem to get this right. This is the first time that everyone likes a record of mine, and you can't get us on the radio or into the stores.
"I can't tell you how many stores I go into while on tour and I see nothing. And all I hear from [Roadrunner] is we are committed to the record.
"My ass."
That was in 2009. In 2010, he said:
"We're getting ready to start the next MEGADETH record in January and the funny thing is my manager is telling me now how Roadrunner is going out of their way now to try and give me this new huge deal, and I just don't want it. I don't want it. The treatment's been terrible over the years, and I just don't want it. I would rather retire than continue to play like that. Either we're gonna release digitally or [see] what happens next. We've got this last record [that we owe to] Roadrunner [as part of our current contract]; it's gonna be a great record 'cause the songs are really, really good. 'Cause I don't want my side of the bargain to be tainted — I wanna be a gentleman and be respectful and deliver my side of the deal, whether or not the other party has or not."
If anything, I doubt Roadrunner extended their offer again in 2011 or this year, after Mustaine has constantly been in the news for political things he's said. Believe me, the label noticed all the negative press he received, as did other labels. I've heard some horror stories from people involved at Roadrunner in the past (most of whom have since been let go) that Mustaine was nothing but a hard time to deal with, burning bridges with members of the staff from day one.
For their part, Roadrunner seem a little too preoccupied right now to deal with a signing of Dave's nature.
But where will Megadeth end up? Some fellow bloggers presume Megadeth will sign to Metallica's newly formed record label, but I feel that is a pipe dream. It seems that Metallica's label is just a front to sell their own music, and not necessarily anybody else's. I can't see many major labels interested in such a loose cannon like Mustaine, so maybe he'll end up on an indie like Napalm or Candlelight. I'm sure Dave would rather be a big fish in a little pond anyway.
What label do you want to see Megadeth end up on?
