Dave Mustaine reveals James Hetfield's support during cancer battle

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has revealed that Metallica's James Hetfield reached out to support him following his 2019 throat cancer diagnosis. In excerpts from his memoir, ‘In My Darkest Hour’, Mustaine describes how the gesture was deeply meaningful due to the decades of rivalry and tension between Megadeth and Metallica.

Mustaine noted that while other figures like Ozzy Osbourne and Paul Stanley of Kiss also offered support, Hetfield’s private outreach during a low point in his treatment stood out. He praised the directness of the gesture, stating that Hetfield did not seek public attention or social media validation, but simply called him privately.

The cancer diagnosis prompted a shift in Mustaine’s perspective, leading him to move past old grievances and focus on his health and support systems rather than past conflicts.