After an acrimonious departure in 2002, original bassist David Ellefson is rejoining Megadeth, the band he was a part of for nearly 20 years beginning in 1983. Ellefson replaces James LoMenzo, who had been in the band since 2006. The reunion coincides with the 20th anniversary of Megadeth's classic Rust In Peace album, which the band will be playing in its entirety on a tour that begins March first.

Frontman Dave Mustaine comments on Ellefson's return: "This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness. "David Ellefson belongs in Megadeth. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked...HARD!"

David Ellefson concurs: "This is a huge moment for all of us, band and fans alike. It is a great celebration of the music from one of the biggest landmark albums of our career."

I recently interviewed LoMenzo, who is a really nice guy and excellent bass player. He's served the band well, but Ellefson is an original member, and it's cool he's coming back. This Megadeth lineup, which also includes guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover, has the potential to be the strongest incarnation of the band since the early '90s.

Jackie Kajzer, aka Full Metal Jackie, is the host of a nationally syndicated metal radio show, and the co-author of the new book Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs Of The '80s And The True Stories Behind Their Lyrics. The book title is pretty self-explanatory, and it's a really interesting read, with great stories from the songs' writers. In the following interview Jackie gives the scoop on the book and how it came about, her radio show, some of her metal favorites, who's going to break big in 2010 and many other topics.

Chad Bowar: How did the idea for the book come about?
Jackie Kajzer (Full Metal Jackie): I produce and host a syndicated metal radio show that airs weekly on commercial stations. Since profanities are prohibited from broadcast, and since many of the songs were never intended for airplay and have no existing radio edit versions, I make them myself. That means I research the lyrics to every song, every week. Reading the lyrics while listening to the songs, it really made me realize the depth of the songs is greater than most people think.

Read the complete Full Metal Jackie Interview

(photo courtesy Full Metal Jackie)

Each year brings a series of much-ballyhooed metal reunion shows. Some tours are a deserved welcome back and others amount to little more than victory laps that come twenty years late. If the band is Saint Vitus - the 1980s Los Angeles act that literally shaped doom metal along with forefathers Black Sabbath - expectations will be even higher.

The members of Vitus are all pushing 50, but the added years aren't holding them back. Their recent one-off dates in California with up-and-coming doom/stoner bands Laudanum and Saviours showed that Vitus has lost none of its legendary tone or power. Justin M. Norton reviewed the St. Vitus, Saviours and Laudanum show at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco on January 29, 2010.

Read the complete St. Vitus, Saviours and Laudanum Concert Review

(photo courtesy Raymond Ahner)

Megadeth will be embarking on a tour with Testament and Exodus in support of their 2009 CD Endgame. In honor of the album's 20th anniversary, Megadeth will play 1990's Rust in Peace in its entirety, in addition to other Megadeth favorites.

2010 Megadeth, Testament and Exodus Tour Dates:
3/1 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
3/2 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
3/3 - Medford, OR - Medford Armory
3/6 - Calgary, AB - Big Four (Testament with Special Guests)
3/7 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Centre (Testament with Special Guests)
3/8 - Saskatoon, SK - Prairieland Exhibition Hall
3/11 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theater
3/12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theater
3/13 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
3/15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
3/16 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
3/18 - Scranton, PA - Scranton Cultural Center
3/19 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
3/21 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
3/22 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
3/23 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
3/25 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
3/26 - Austin, TX - Stubb's Amphitheater
3/27 - Lubbock, TX - The Pavilion
3/28 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
3/30 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
3/31 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium (Testament with Special Guests)

Tour Dates For Other Heavy Metal Bands

(photo courtesy Roadrunner Records)