Previously unreleased video footage of late MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza hosting his final masterclass drum clinics — on April 28, 2014 and April 29, 2014 at the Academia De Musica Fermatta campuses in Mexico City and Guadalajara — can be seen below. The one-minute clip features Menza playing along to the MEGADETH classic “Hangar 18” to intimate setting for students only.
The footage was supposed to be used for the late drummer’s first-ever instructional DVD, “Intense Mega Drumming”, that was to feature 10 re-recorded classic MEGADETH drum tracks with tons of tips and tricks from Menza‘s arsenal to help teach anybody out there become a better player. The DVD, which was produced and directed by Kari Pearson and Menza‘s manager, Robert Bolger, has since been shelved.
The unreleased video footage and audio from both classes will be a featured highlight in the recently announced official Menza documentary film “This Was My Life – The Story of Nick Menza”. It is described in a press release as “an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic ‘Rust In Peace’ lineup.”
“This Was My Life” will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick‘s archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.
Bolger said: “I am very excited to be working with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment on Nick‘s official documentary.
“There’s a lot of published misinformation out there about Nick that isn’t true and I am very happy to bring the truth forth.
“Nick loved his fans and always said without the fans none this would be possible. I really think Nick‘s fans will enjoy this journey through his life.”
Executive producer Holly Mollohan from Screaming Butterfly Entertainment added: “As both a filmmaker, and fellow metalhead who deeply values the metal community, I am honored and excited to go on this journey alongside all of you.”
Menza‘s official autobiography, “Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza” by J. Marshall Craig, was released in December 2018 via Post Hill Press.
Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino “Pag” Pagliari in their band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Nick rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal’s fiercest drummers during MEGADETH‘s 10-year commercial peak. The highlight of his career, Nick said, was playing Rock In Rio before more than 100,000 people. The lowest point was being fired by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine while he was still in a hospital bed after surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.
