Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson recently opened up about his role in the No Life ’Til Leather – A Tribute To Metallica’s Kill ’Em All project, revealing details about a conversation he had with Lars Ulrich regarding performing the late Cliff Burton’s bass parts. Ellefson shared the story during an appearance on The David Ellefson Show, where he explained his initial reluctance to take part in the tribute and discussed the stylistic differences between his playing and Burton’s.
“I wanted to mention this, too. So, look, the No Life to Leather Tribute to Metallica to Kill Them All. They just sent me a couple of these. This was a highlight for me, I got to say, man, because I mean, honestly, I recorded a year and a half ago in May of 2024. They came to me in God, I think 2023 about it. And Rod, who is I guess probably the executive producer, he picked the bands and sort of paired them with their songs,” Ellefson said.
He went on to describe his hesitation about stepping into such a revered role, citing the legacy attached to Burton’s original performances.
“And it was just one of these coveted pieces of music for me and I was like, I don’t know if I should do it, you know what I mean? And I said, ‘Can’t you get like Steve Harris or Geezer to do it?’ And he just said, ‘No, you’re the guy. You’re the guy we want.’ I was like, ‘All right,’” he continued.
Ellefson then recalled a pivotal moment when he discussed the project directly with Ulrich while overseas, highlighting the fundamental differences in their respective approaches to the instrument.
“And I saw Lars Ulrich in Munich and I talked to him about it and he even said he goes, ‘Yeah, you two are very different bass players, you know, like you’re a you’re a pick guy, Cliff [Burton] was a finger guy.’ And I said, ‘I know.’ I told him I stated my case, you know, like I don’t know if I’m the guy for this. And they said they’re very adamant that they really wanted me. And so it was an honor, of course,” Ellefson concluded.
Ellefson’s hesitation underscores the deep reverence the metal community continues to hold for Burton, whose influence permanently altered the role of bass guitar in heavy metal. Burton was known for bringing distortion, wah effects, and lead-style phrasing to the instrument, pushing it beyond a purely rhythmic function and into a melodic, spotlighted role.
His tenure with Metallica from 1982 until his death in 1986 cemented his reputation as one of the most influential bassists in metal history. Burton’s innovative techniques and musical vision reshaped how bass could function within heavy music, leaving a lasting impact on generations of players.
The contrast Ulrich noted between Burton and Ellefson reflects two distinct but equally respected approaches. Burton’s finger-style playing allowed for fluid, expressive passages and extended solos, while Ellefson’s pick-driven attack helped define the tight, aggressive precision associated with thrash metal’s rise in the 1980s.
The No Life ’Til Leather tribute project goes beyond a standard collection of covers, serving as a celebration of Kill ’Em All’s enduring influence on metal as a genre. For Ellefson, being chosen to honor Burton’s legacy—despite their stylistic differences—highlights both his technical ability and the respect he commands within the metal community, marking a notable moment in his post-Megadeth career.
