Former Metallica bassist Ron McGovney recently took to X to address the ‘The Four Horsemen’ Vs ‘Mechanix’ debate between Metallica and Megadeth.
It started when a fan page posted concert footage of Megadeth playing ‘Mechanix’ in Bloodstock 2017. A user tagged the bassist and wrote: “Either ‘Mechanix’ or ‘Four Horseman’ is a rip off of the other and I have my suspicions but I’m not sure…”
“‘Four Horsemen’ is from 1983. ‘Mechanix’ is on our demo ‘No Life Til Leather’ from 1982. You decide,” the bassist replied.
When Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica, he asked the band not to use his songs. Still, Metallica used his solos and riffs and some of his complete songs, including ‘Mechanix.’ James Hetfield reworked the lyrics to focus on the ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse’ and added a bridge and a slower, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ inspired section with a guitar solo.
The two versions caused a debate among metal fans over which one is better. In an interview after Megadeth’s second show at The Stone in San Francisco, Mustaine criticized Metallica’s version, saying, “And then (we) go into ‘Mechanix,’ off of the No Life ‘Til Leather demo. Exactly that way. Not with this ‘Four Horsemen’ wimp sh*t.”
While Metallica credits James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Mustaine as the songwriters, Megadeth credits it only by Mustaine.
That either Mechanix or Four Horseman is a rip off of the other and I have my suspicions but I’m not sure….
— Koz (@zakkozberg) August 16, 2024
Four Horsemen is from 1983. Mechanix is on our demo No Life Til Leather from 1982. You decide.
— Ron McGovney (@RonMcGovney) August 17, 2024
