When thrash royalty reunites, the results are nothing short of seismic. KINGS OF THRASH, the electrifying project spearheaded by MEGADETH veterans David Ellefson and Jeff Young, returns with a thunderous new single titled “Lockdown”, and this time, they’ve brought along another MEGADETH alumnus—guitar god Chris Poland.
Best known for torching stages during their acclaimed “Mega Years” tours, which revived early MEGADETH anthems like Killing Is My Business… and So Far, So Good…So What!, the band now asserts itself with fresh material that carries all the muscle of their classic roots, but with a voice all their own.
“Lockdown” is a pure thrash adrenaline shot—sharp riffs, gritty attitude, and four blistering guitar solos that harken back to the golden age of metal. As Poland puts it, the track features “a rhythm section that is locked up tight,” while Young calls it “a cool mix of ’80s thrash and punk vibes.” Ellefson sums it up perfectly: “It captures the true spirit of old-school thrash metal.”
But KINGS OF THRASH isn’t just rehashing the past. The band is redefining its identity, stepping out from the long shadow of MEGADETH while still embracing the legacy they helped forge. Their latest tours have included fresh originals like Bridges Burned, and their mission is clear: create a new soundscape for the thrash faithful, driven by passion, not nostalgia.
Directed by drummer Fred Aching and Holly West, the gritty music video for Lockdown delivers imagery as fierce as the track itself—raw studio footage and metaphorical incarceration setting the tone for a band reclaiming their narrative.
Despite past tensions with MEGADETH frontman Dave Mustaine, both Young and Ellefson emphasize this isn’t about retaliation. “It’s a celebration,” says Ellefson, who insists on keeping things positive. “This is a happy moment… bringing people together through the music that shaped us.”
With more new music on the way and upcoming mini tours—Thrashin’ SoCal and Thrashin’ The East—KINGS OF THRASH are proving that old school can still be cutting edge. And with fans now chanting along to Lockdown, this is one prison break you’ll want to witness live.
