Megadeth's David Ellefson says there was a “conversation” about him joining Metallica in place of Jason Newsted

Credit: Jeremy SafferMegadeth bassist David Ellefson has revealed that he was considered as a possible replacement for Metallica‘s Jason Newsted after he left the metal legends in 2001.

Speaking to The Metal Voice, Ellefson says that while Metallica “didn’t call” him about joining, he knows that “there was a conversation about considering” him.

“I know [Metallica drummer] Lars [Ulrich] and [Megadeth frontman] Dave [Mustaine] had chatted, ’cause [Metallica] were putting their short list together,” Ellefson remembers.

Mustaine, of course, was Metallica’s original lead guitarist before he was kicked out of the band in 1983 due to substance abuse issues. He would then go on to form and find success with Megadeth, but tension continued to linger between him and Metallica.

After Newsted left in 2001, producer Bob Rock played bass on Metallica’s 2003 album, St. Anger. The band then began an audition process to find a permanent replacement before landing on Robert Trujillo, who remains Metallica’s bassist today.