Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has spoken publicly about his complicated relationship with the band's bandleader Dave Mustaine.

In a recent interview on the Quemar Un Patrullero podcast hosted by Argentine rock journalist Gustavo Olmedo, Ellefson reflected on both the close friendship they once shared and the circumstances surrounding his departure from the band.

During his time in Megadeth, Ellefson describes periods where he and Mustaine had a genuine personal bond.

When Ellefson rejoined the band in 2010, he claims they were particularly close – to the point where they would often spend time together outside of the band's activities.

However, their relationship was not without its challenges, as Ellefson reveals that he ultimately left the band again in 2021 after explicit messages and video footage involving him surfaced online.

Despite denying allegations of grooming an underage fan and maintaining his innocence, Ellefson chose not to pursue further legal action against Mustaine.

Instead, he seemed to accept a sense of defeat, stating \“There's two ways to win in tug of war,”I either pull you over the line or I just drop the rope and let you fall on your ass.

And that's what I've chosen to do – drop the rope." This statement suggests Ellefson had accepted his circumstances and was willing to move forward rather than continue to fight against those who had wronged him.

The interview is a poignant reminder of the complex relationships often found in the music industry, where artists are not immune to personal conflicts and professional disagreements.