For many metalheads, Megadeth isn't just a band, it's a cornerstone of the genre. So, imagine the feeling of going from worshipping their posters on your wall to sharing campfires and conversations with the legendary Dave Mustaine himself. That's the journey Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory recently described in an interview.
Bathory, a self-proclaimed Megadeth superfan from his youth in communist Hungary, spoke about the surreal experience of touring with his idols when talking to Sam Acevedo of El Planeta Del Rock (transcribed by Blabbermouth): "It's kind of surreal, obviously. I had Megadeth posters on my wall when I was growing up. That's a surreal thing for me, being a kid in Budapest, Hungary, a communist country at the time, and dreaming about one day going to America and being in a rock band and touring the world.
"And this is one of my favorite bands. It's super surreal for me, Dave and I sitting in the back around the campfire between shows, just talking about stuff, about life and history and all kinds of things; we had a lot of interesting conversations. So, it's very surreal, I tell you that."
"But at the same time, it's one of those things where there's a cycle of things. And Megadeth was an influence, a big one, actually. So, it's just the cycle of the world. I'm pretty sure there will be a time when I will be sitting in a backstage with some kid that grew up on Five Finger Death Punch, and now their band is huge. It's just what it is," Bathory added.
The mutual respect between the two bands is clear. Bathory emphasized that Megadeth's legendary status remains unchallenged, despite Five Finger Death Punch's current popularity.
"But, look, it's one of those things, too, that Megadeth would never tour with us if they did not get the reverence and the respect from us. It just happened so that today we are this popular, but it doesn't mean that they're not an absolute giant, super-influential band, and they get all the respect. And everything that can be done is done for them to feel that way while we are touring together."
