In a momentous reunion, Marty Friedman took the stage with MEGADETH for the second time in six months, captivating the audience at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany, earlier today (Friday, August 4)
The accomplished guitarist graced his former band with his presence, delivering a stellar performance of four unforgettable songs: “Trust,” “Tornado Of Souls,” “Symphony Of Destruction,” and “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.” The crowd was electrified by the nostalgic melodies and the undeniable chemistry between Marty and his fellow bandmates, creating a truly memorable experience for all in attendance.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine teased Friedman‘s appearance ahead of the Wacken performance, writing on social media: “Wacken! Make sure to head over to the faster stage. We have a special surprise for you. You’re not going to want to miss it.”
Before this year’s Wacken festival, the last time Marty Friedman joined MEGADETH on stage was during their historic performance at Tokyo, Japan’s renowned Budokan in late February. Amidst the band’s momentous show, Friedman made a thrilling appearance on stage, adding his extraordinary talent to three exceptional songs: “Countdown To Extinction,” “Tornado Of Souls,” and “Symphony Of Destruction.” The audience at the Budokan was treated to a mesmerizing display of musical prowess as the iconic guitarist reunited with his former bandmates, leaving an indelible mark on the memorable event.
In late February, Marty drop a hint that he may again take the stage with MEGADETH in the near future, telling Guitar World: “We [MEGADETH and Friedman] are both playing at Wacken Open Air festival in Germany this summer, so you never know.”
Friedman also revealed that the biggest challenge he faced during his Budokan appearance with MEGADETH was performing his guitar solos the same way fans remember from his original stint with the band.
“If there was any challenge at all, I guess it would be playing the solos the way the fans remember them, which is something I wanted to do,” Friedman noted. “My playing has evolved so much since those songs came out, and there are so many nuances I would naturally do differently now. I had to resist the urge to play it like I would in 2023 and stick to the original way. For example, in a couple of those songs, I entered the solo on the downbeat, with the first note being the root of the chord. I would definitely avoid both of those things now, but apparently, I was fine with it back then.”