Friedman later stated that he got tired of playing metal music and felt that he could not evolve as a musician. His last show with them was on January 14, 2000. After a total of five studio albums with Megadeth, in December 1999 Friedman announced his departure from Megadeth. Friedman played on Megadeth's further releases Youthanasia (1994), Cryptic Writings (1997), and Risk (1999). In July 1992, Megadeth released Countdown to Extinction, which was a more commercial album, aimed at a wider audience, and sold double platinum. Friedman further developed his style of playing exotic scale solos from the Cacophony era, and integrated it into the music of Megadeth. Rust in Peace was certified platinum by the RIAA in 1994 and was nominated for the Best Metal Performance Grammy at the 33rd Grammy Awards. The first album he recorded with them was Rust in Peace which was released on 24 September 1990. Friedman's audition can be seen on the Megadeth DVD Arsenal of Megadeth. However, after undergoing what Mustaine called "Rock School 101", Friedman officially joined Megadeth in February 1990. Friedman was initially rejected by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine for having multicolored hair. When Cacophony disbanded in 1989, Friedman auditioned for the thrash metal band Megadeth after a tip from fellow guitarist Jeff Loomis. In 1988, he recorded demos for Jet Red that eventually were released as bonus tracks on the 2009 Jet Red release "Flight Plan". He played guitar on the 1987 album "It Won't Be Long" by Christian rock band Shout. Cacophony featured neoclassical metal elements and synchronized twin guitar harmonies and counterpoints shared with guitarist Jason Becker. Friedman formed and played lead guitar in several other bands, including Deuce, Hawaii (which had previously been called Vixen), and notably Cacophony. "Rehearsals" very quickly became live shows. Soon word spread about their band, and, since they were in a rural area, people would come from miles around to socialize and listen to music. "Because," he says, "even if you screw up, you just claim that the song is written like that and no one can challenge you." The mother of one of Marty's friends ran an event center with a two-level stage, and Marty and his friends used it as a rehearsal space. He rushed to form a band and started playing original songs, the reason being that originals are easier to play than covers. Marty Friedman - Discography (Cacophony+Metal Clone X) (1988 - 2014)Īt the age of 14, after attending a KISS concert, Friedman took up the guitar, and is largely self-taught.