ORPHANED TO HATRED – Welcomes Nick Menza

Nick Menza joined legendary thrash metal act Megadeth in 1989. For the next ten years, Nick became associated with Megadeth's "classic" sound and after a departure from the lineup in 1998 was eventually re-invited to reunite with Megadeth in Fall 2004, only to leave the fold again shortly thereafter.

As one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, *Megadeth has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, including six consecutive platinum albums, with seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. In the band's 25 active years, Megadeth has had 20 official members, with Dave Mustaine remaining as the driving force, main songwriter, and sole original member following the end of his musical partnership with David Ellefson in 2002, due to personal disagreements. Megadeth is hailed as one of the bands among the "Big Four of Thrash," along with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, who were responsible for creating and popularizing the genre in the 1980s.

By 1998, the band was still touring on the 1997 album "Cryptic Writings", Nick Menza was having knee problems and sought medical advice. He was informed he had a tumor, which was later found to be benign, and had it removed. As a result, Megadeth hired a temporary replacement by former Suicidal Tendencies, Alice Cooper, and MD.45 drummer Jimmy DeGrasso rather than cancel any dates. When it became time to record a follow up album, Nick was not allowed back and Jimmy continued. Menza has said in several interviews that while in the hospital recovering from knee surgery he received a phone call from Mustaine that simply said "Your services are not needed anymore." Yet, in the subsequent years Dave had personal problems which led to two replacement guitarists and the sacking of Jimmy. During his departure he began work on "Menza: Life After Deth" with guitarist Anthony Gallo (former Suicidal Tendencies), bassist Jason Levin, and guitarist Ty Longley (Samantha 7 and Great White). The album was supposed to have a 2002 release date and tour to follow, but beforehand, Ty hit the road with his other band, Jack Russell's Great White. Unfortunately, Ty was among the 100 people (and the only Jack Russell's Great White band member) killed in The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island. The "Life After Deth" album was never released and a tour was never announced. (*Source: Wikipedia)

In April 2006, Menza joined the Los Angeles-based

Orphaned To Hatred band with vocalist Brandon McBride.

The second coming of Pantera's groove metal sound is on its way!

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