Megadeth fans were in for a treat when ex-guitarist Marty Friedman reunited with the band for the first time in more than two decades. The reunion took place during a recent show at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo and was streamed live for fans who purchased tickets.
Friedman, who was a member of Megadeth from 1990 to 2000, joined his former bandmates late in the show for a trio of classic songs: “Countdown to Extinction,” “Tornado of Souls” and “Symphony of Destruction.” The audience was thrilled to see the talented guitarist back on stage with Megadeth, and many took to social media to share their excitement.
Friedman left Megadeth in 2000 to pursue a solo career in Japan, where he has since become a household name. Despite his departure, he has remained on good terms with Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine and has even contributed to some of the band’s later albums as a guest musician.
The Nippon Budokan show was part of Megadeth’s “The Metal Tour of the Year,” which also features Lamb of God, Trivium, and In Flames. The tour marks Megadeth’s return to the stage after a hiatus due to frontman Dave Mustaine’s battle with throat cancer.
Fans were delighted to see Friedman back with Megadeth, even if it was only for a few songs. Many have expressed hope that this reunion could lead to more collaborations in the future. It remains to be seen whether Friedman will join the band on any more shows on their current tour, but for now, fans can relive the magic of his reunion with Megadeth through videos and photos from the Tokyo show.
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