The Motörhead Motörboat cruise is less than two weeks away, and Megadeth has been thrown overboard due to frontman Dave Mustaine’s lingering health issues from recent surgery. The metal band has withdrawn from the party boat, and will be replaced by all-star band Metal Allegiance, which includes Megadeth’s David Ellefson and Chris Broderick.
The first-annual cruise will sail September 22 from Miami and visit the ports of Key West and Cozumel through for days on the Carnival Ecstasy. It’s being dubbed “The Loudest Boat In The World” and will feature Motörhead, Anthrax, Metal Allegiance, Testament, Down, High On Fire, Kill Devil Hill, Zakk Wylde, Jim Breuer Band, Danko Jones, Fireball Ministry, Wilson and Cilver, and spoken word from Scott Ian.
The switch from Megadeth to Metal Allegiance seems like an upgrade.The band includes vocalists Philip Anselmo (Down, ex-Pantera), Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), and Chuck Billy (Testament), guitarists Chris Broderick (Megadeth), Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), bassists Frank Bello (Anthrax), Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill, ex-Pantera) and David Ellefson (Megadeth), and drummers Charlie Benante (Anthrax) andMike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater).
Here’s Megadeth’s statement on their cancellation:
“Due to complications arising from a previous cervical spine surgery, and upon his doctor’s strict recommendations, Dave Mustaine has cancelled all performances for the next eight weeks. With rest and treatment, he is expected to recover and resume performing soon. The band was looking forward to the concerts and cruise, and is disappointed that they will not be able to see their fans. Megadeth expects to return to the road and will see their fans soon!”
Says event producer Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment:
“You can’t replace a band like Megadeth, who have done so much to change the landscape of heavy music over the past 30 years. We wish Dave Mustaine all the best in his recovery. But we’re excited that Megadeth’s David Ellefson and Chris Broderick will still be joining us. The whole reason to do these music cruises is to give fans an experience that they can’t get anywhere else – and bringing Metal Allegiance onboard with metal’s most loyal fans fits that bill.”
