How DAVE MUSTAINE hired his oncologist to write lyrics for new MEGADETH album

After he beat throat cancer in late 2019, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine enlisted Anthony Cmelaka radiation oncology professor who treated him to help write a song for the band’s new album, “The sick, the dying … and the dead!” According to the Nashville Tennessean, Cmelak helped write “Dogs from Chernobyl”a six-minute number loosely about animals left behind by the 1986 nuclear meltdown. Mustaine asked Cmelak on a Saturday morning if he wanted to share some x-ray experiences for a song. He sent lyrics the following Monday and the band cut a track two days later.

“I think he wanted descriptive terminology for how your body functions would change after exposure to massive doses of radiation,” Cmelak said. “He would also have a flair for someone being left behind … I oriented myself towards that and it came very quickly.”

Mustaine‘s cancer was found after he visited a specialist for persistent pain after a root canal. He began chemotherapy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, adopting treatment that would eliminate the tumor without causing so much damage to his throat that he would no longer be able to sing.

“I just felt terrible for him because here’s this guy who’s been on stage in front of 10s of thousands of people,” Cmelak told Nashville, Tennessean. “Watching him change from being scared [not] about his career, but his life — to watch him go through it today — he seemed to take it in stride.”

Mustaine was declared cancer-free after 51 radiation treatments and nine chemotherapy sessions. He returned to the stage in early 2020 on a European tour where MEGADETH was the support act for FIVE FINGERS DEATH STRIKE.

Dave told Once again! magazine about the lyrical inspiration for “Dogs from Chernobyl”:”‘Dogs of Chernobyl’ is a metaphor for abandonment. The lyrics describe the meltdown at the reactor and the poisoning that happens afterwards, but to me it was really just another twisted love song. It’s spring. Everything has stopped in the world. She can’t be found, but he still sees her face everywhere he turns. It goes from the first chorus where he sees her face to a double chorus where he is in Chernobyl feeling the effects of radiation. Does it feel strangely timely to refer to Chernobyl this year with all the horrific events in Ukraine? No, I’m not trying to take any kind of advantage of people in an unfortunate situation. I think that would be very vulture-like. It’s just not me: I never prey on other people’s misfortune.”

Three years ago, Mustaine told Rolling stones magazine that the incredible outpouring from his fans and peers following his cancer diagnosis “came as something of a surprise.” He explained “There was a lot coming from people that I knew but didn’t know cared. Most notably, I got a text back from my old brother, James Hetfield, and I was so, so happy to hear from him. Contrary to what anyone says and contrary to any of the actions we do, I love James and I know that James loves me and cares about me. You will see that when the moment of truth is here and I tell the world that I have a life threatening illness. Who will stand next to me? James.

“And I got a text from Ozzyand one from Paul Stanley“, he revealed. “It was great to get one off Ozzy [Osbourne]; I didn’t expect that from Paul Stanley. It was super cute, because in the beginning, when KISS first came out, I was just a kid and I loved them.

“I’m really grateful to everyone. Even the people who have a hard time with my behavior and my big mouth, I’m just so grateful that they care about me. As they say, at the end of the day, everyone we have each other here in this crazy metal community.”

According to Mustainehe also spoke with THE IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on the back of his tongue eight years ago. “[Bruce] said when he had his illness, after his treatment was finished, he was told he needed between three to six months of rest.” Dave said. “He told me he wasn’t listening and had a little bit of a problem, then he realized he had to listen. So he did and his voice came back stronger than ever. I care so much Bruce; he was another really supportive brother to me throughout this whole thing. He explained to me how he did it and it really helped. I just look forward to if there is ever a circumstance where this happens to another one of my peers that I can return the favor and help them. It’s a difficult disease, but they’ve got doctors everywhere figuring this shit out.”

“The sick, the dying … and the dead!” arrived on September 2 via UMe.