Guitarist Dave Mustaine played a crucial role in creating Metallica's thrash metal sound despite never appearing on their albums. Mustaine's tumultuous upbringing and passion for metal music led him to form Megadeth after being dismissed from Metallica due to his self-destructive behavior. Megadeth quickly gained success with albums like Peace Sells...But Who's Buying and continued to thrive throughout the '80s and '90s, despite Mustaine's ongoing battles with addiction.

After overcoming near-death experiences, Mustaine cleaned up his act in the late '90s. Megadeth persisted with releases like Risk and The World Needs a Hero, as Mustaine also pursued various side projects and endorsements. The band's journey, marked by lineup changes and personal struggles, was documented in a VH1 Behind the Music episode, showcasing Mustaine's resilience and commitment to his music career.