Megadeth have finally returned with a reminder of the mighty classic Megadeth name in the form of Endgame. Endgame is the monster of all Metal records released this year and should amaze even the most stringent of critics. James Lomenzo, the bass wielding architect in Dave’s army, gave his time to Exiles for a detailed piece into the formation of a great record.
A Metal Exiles interview with James Lomenzo.
By Jeffrey Easton
Metal Exiles: What were the thoughts on how Endgame should be before you started the recording process?
James Lomenzo: Interesting question. When we went into recording Endgame Dave was pretty explicit on what he wanted to accomplish. On United Abominations we had touched on the vitality of the earlier Megadeth albums and he wanted to take Endgame a little closer to that. Taking into account we are all a little older and our abilities change and our perspectives shift the idea was to reach the goal of pulling out the old Megadeth vibe. A lot of the music on the record was picked off of tapes that Dave had from years ago. We set up a studio in San Marcos, CA called Vic’s Garage and we went through piles of tapes and while digitizing them we peeled off riffs from years ago that we thought would spark what we were trying to accomplish.
Metal Exiles: I would say you found the sound you were looking for.
James: I am happy to hear that. It is weird because when you are in the middle of it you try to be true to each and every song you make and it is hard to see the big picture but you have to keep the focus. That is what made having Andy Sneap on the project so great. He is a fan of the old Megadeth as well as the newer stuff and he kept us on target.
Metal Exiles: When Andy came onto the project what was the first thing that he wanted for the record?
James: Andy is a polite British guy so he did not have much to say. He was just taking Dave’s direction as we all do and focusing on that. We had discussions on my side so we could focus on finding a cool bass tone. Dave wanted the bass stuff simple, like an old English metal vibe which is something I usually do not do, I usually sit on top of things. The rest of Andy’s job was considering where the guitar solos would go, finding the best riffs etc.
Metal Exiles: My first big show was Megadeth opening for Priest on the Rust In Peace tour.
James: Ok, that is a perfect example of what we were shooting for.
Metal Exiles: That being said, Rust In Peace is my benchmark for Megadeth albums and I still listen to it to this day. So after I listened to Endgame, I felt like I was 19 again and back in that era. You captured that period with this album perfectly.
James: I will take that as a compliment because that was the goal. The whole point of this was to instill in the kids the music that we love and grew up with.
Metal Exiles: I know Dave is the head writer so what did you bring to Endgame?
James: I brought years of bass playing knowledge. I do what most players in symphony orchestras do, I interpret. The music is generally there and laid out for you, you just have to interpret it and make it exciting. Inspirationally wise I just bang stuff out with Dave and talk about different things. Sometimes on the bus we will have a four track recorder and throw some things on there, everybody acts as peripheral editor.
Metal Exiles: I have never had a complete problem with anything Megadeth has done in the past but there have been songs on each album since, that have sparked the old feeling.
James: I have played with so many musicians and it is hard to keep it consistent year after year. The reason for that is your experiences change, the way you feel changes, there are so many factors. When you are a kid it is all hype, you are raging and you just want to slam shit out and it is a natural progression over the years to take different things in as well as different experiences. That’s why over the years you can have great albums or good albums and some touch on greatness.
Metal Exiles: Endgame slams into greatness.
James: We are just thrilled at the way it came out because when you are inside the beast you just put stuff out not knowing how it is going to do.
Metal Exiles: My next question was what were your contributions when you went into record your parts but you pretty much answered that.
James: To elaborate, it was reactionary to the riffs. I was trying to make my parts as big and wide as I could without intruding on the guitars. It is easy to slam things on but it is different discipline to find a different approach. That approach is a stated metal approach which is different from the blues or jazz.
Metal Exiles: You brought up before about working with different musicians. Megadeth of course have a newer guitar player with Chris Broderick. How well has he fit in with the way you are playing?
James: Chris is just a phenom on guitar. He has some amazingly technical abilities that are far beyond those of mortal men. Chris is more of a technician on guitar but one with a lot of heart and feel. He had to find his way into Megadeth, it was not like he just sat down and started playing it and it was exactly right. Each of the guitar players in this band had a very derisive style but he picked it up amazingly fast. With the new album he brought his own flavor to the band.
Metal Exiles: One of the things I noticed on the record and especially on “This Day We Fight”, it has the rhythm chaos of the old days. How did you guys achieve that chaos?
James: I am pretty sure that is an old riff maybe from the Countdown days if not before. We took a piece of that riff and Dave elaborated on it because I remember him working it out in the studio and speeding it up. It is a very deliberate chaos but I think just by its nature it is a thrash infused song. The whole key to that song is keeping it moving.
Metal Exiles: There is chaos and there is controlled chaos and I think controlled chaos sums up this album.
James: That leads to a bigger question: Should chaos be controlled?
Metal Exiles: It should because in some cases it could lead to a sloppy album in the wrong hands.
James: Here is another thing about Dave and I think some people will get this. He has a very delineated way of looking at things. His synapse in my mind occurs with lightning speed. Where as some of us have a southern drawl when it comes to thinking he is always snap snap snap. Everything we do is gone over and quality controlled which he is exceptional at. He goes over everything, he will make sure that the rhythms are where they need to be and I think that is where the control of the chaos goes. The duality of his nature is that he has an erratic side, an angry side and a good natured side but when it comes to Megadeth he understands what that thing is. Even though you are going to unleash the hounds on a Megadeth record make sure those hounds are well fed and groomed.
Metal Exiles: Dave is overtly political which is very obvious. When you record with Dave to you agree with his political philosophies? Do they fit in with what you believe?
James: I do not always agree with what he believes in but on this one I do with a lot of things. With “Bite The Hand” who was happy with the state of the banking industry which is a big part of the song? “Endgame“, it is kind of tongue in cheek but it is based in fact. It is a scary premise. To me it is science fiction but there is a base in reality that can make it creepy. I have no problem getting on board with that and fantasizing along with him.
Metal Exiles: “The Right To Go Insane” to me would be pretty much across the board.
James: 44 Minutes is based on actual events and I lived down the street from that bank when those guys took it over back in the 90’s. I still remember all of the police cars racing by.
Metal Exiles: Well, you can play something from experience.
James: Not exactly an experience that I like to remember.
Metal Exiles: I know in the last several years you have bounced from project to project. Do you feel that you have a solid standing in Megadeth?
James: Dave adopted me immediately when I joined the band. He told me I could stay here as long as I like. I took that as a compliment and an extension of friendship. I am quite happy to be here, what a lineage this band has. I have been privileged to have been involved with some great musicians in the past but Megadeth is such an iconic metal band, what a great place to be.
Metal Exiles: There are some great bass parts on this record and I can tell that you are holding the bottom end very well. I know you use Yamaha as your bass so what brought you to them?
James: It is a great quality instrument. I was looking for something that an old school sound to it and Yamaha has that sound. I remember being on tour with Billy Sheehan years ago when Mr. Big was opening up for White Lion which from a bass players perspective seems wrong. I remember he had his Yamahas set up I though what a great bass it was. Michael Anthony was playing bass for Sammy Hagar when I was playing for David Lee Roth (The Hagar/Roth co headlining tour) and his Yamaha had a great tone as well. I put two and two together and gave Yamaha a try.
Metal Exiles: With Endgame being out and an amazing record, what do you have in store for the fans now?
James: We are setting our stage up and throwing out some old songs we have not played in awhile and we are just getting fired up. We are throwing in a few songs from Endgame and by the time we are done it will be more than a few.
James’ contributions to the new Megadeth record Endgame are significant and can be felt for miles when the volume is on 10.
http://www.megadeth.com/
BUY ENDGAME!!
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