Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland has announced plans to address decades of allegations made by Dave Mustaine in his upcoming autobiography. Poland discussed how Mustaine’s public claims have affected his career during a recent interview and explained his approach to setting the record straight.
“Well, I’m sure it did affect my career, but my career was playing instrumental, whacked-out fusion [music],” Poland stated. “I had a handful of people that listened to my music. Those people didn’t even listen to Megadeth, so it didn’t matter.”
Poland emphasized that he holds no lasting grudges against Mustaine, despite the years of public disputes. “And then when [Mustaine] asked me to come back [to Megadeth] — I don’t hold any grudges. Sometimes I get a little upset, if I think about it, but I never read [Dave’s] books. People would tell me stuff he said [about me], and I’d be, like, ‘What are you gonna do?'”
The guitarist revealed that he is currently working on his own book to provide his perspective on the conflict. “I’m writing a book [called ‘Now Leaving Metalopolis’] right now with [music journalist, podcaster and author] Matt Herring. And some of that stuff — I have my little rebuttal about stuff that was said [by Dave] about me. ‘Cause, first of all, I don’t hit girls. There’s a lot of things he said [over the years about me] that’s total B.S.'”
Poland credited late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza with helping him move past the bitterness that could have consumed him over the years. “But you know what? Like I said, I didn’t, and I don’t, hold a grudge. It’s not worth it. And you know who helped me with that was [late Megadeth drummer] Nick Menza. Cause Dave should have taken care of Nick, and it would get me upset, and I’d get all heated, and Nick would go, ‘Dude, you can’t carry that around, man. You gotta let all that go.'”
Poland’s decision to address these long-standing disputes comes after years of public tension between the two musicians. His upcoming book promises to provide his side of the story and offer readers insight into the complicated relationship that has defined much of his career in the metal community.
Poland’s upcoming book is titled “Now Leaving Metalopolis: Life, ‘Deth, and Redemption.” It is co-written with music journalist and podcaster Matt “Matman” Herring, as reported by Blunt Magazine. The collaboration between Poland and Herring represents a significant effort to document the guitarist’s experiences and provide his perspective on the controversies that have surrounded him throughout his career.
The book project has been in development for some time. Matman’s official website confirms that the collaboration has been one of the most rewarding experiences for both the author and the guitarist. This partnership ensures that Poland’s story is told with journalistic integrity and detailed insight into his life both within and outside of Megadeth.
Poland has made it clear that his book will directly address specific claims made by Mustaine over the years. Among the allegations Poland plans to rebut is Mustaine’s claim that Poland was violent toward women. Poland categorically denies this charge. “I don’t hit girls,” Poland stated firmly, emphasizing that this particular accusation is among the false claims he intends to address in his autobiography.
Blunt Magazine reported that Poland’s measured approach to addressing these conflicts reflects his maturity and desire to move forward rather than engage in a prolonged public dispute. Rather than positioning his book as a personal attack, Poland has indicated that he simply wants to set the record straight on matters that have been misrepresented over the decades.
