Achieving Serenity

Out for Blood

Surrendering

They were a group of five teenagers with the heavy metal dream, and it appeared they were going to live it. Having just dropped their first album, the friends traveled cross-country to the east coast with their manager to continue promoting themselves. But there was a problem holding them back.

It was Dave and his drinking. How could they take their music seriously when their guitarist was hammered 24/7? Enough was enough.

The four of them entered Dave's room and woke him, standing over him with his bags already packed behind them. They didn't really provide a reason, but it was official. Dave was out. They gave him a bus ticket scheduled to depart in one hour.

Penniless and full of rage, Dave rides the bus back to California all the way from New York, having lost his best friends, his band, and his dream.

But this wasn't going to stop Dave. He shall make his own band- WAY bigger than they ever will be. Dave knew he was the most talented member and had what it took to knock them out of the park.

His first album with his new band is okay, but far from anything that could compete with his sellout friends. Dave continues to write rage-filled licks and lyrics, and to the demand of fans speeds up the beats-per-minute in each song, proving their superiority and talent.

Five albums later, Dave is beginning to make a name for himself in the heavy metal industry. He is gaining followers and loyal fans, but he scoffs as he sees his old friends are undoubtedly more popular. It's like the world is treating them like the next Beatles. Why are people kissing their asses so much? We're so much better...

The vengeance continues to motivate Dave, as he is willing to do whatever it takes to dethrone his back-stabbing friends. Dave continues to drink heavily, and his heroin use is becoming a problem. He is in and out of rehabs and is driving himself insane.

It appears no matter what he does, Dave will never beat them. He KNOWS that it doesn't matter what he accomplishes, they are too huge and cannot be beaten.

After decades of holding resentments and hate, Dave considers an alternate way of living. What will my music be like if I'm not in such a hateful place? What will it feel like if I... surrender?

And the feeling was blissful. He didn't have to be better than them. He was good, and they were good, and they just happened to be more famous. He was beginning to feel at peace with this.

Dave forgave his old band members, and the two bands become cordial. Dave gets sober and the music he performs does not lose its metal touch, yet he is able to write music in a serene state of mind.

"I've come to understand that Metallica has a purpose in my life, and that purpose is to challenge my humility, to keep me humble and hungry."

-Dave Mustaine, lead singer of Megadeth