My Life with Deth

Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock and Roll

By: David Ellefson, Joel McIver

Narrated by: David Ellefson

Faith, hope, and heavy metal

In My Life with Deth, cofounder and bassist of Megadeth David Ellefson reveals the behind-the-scenes details of life in one of the world's most popular heavy metal bands. If you're looking for revelations, they're here, including the drug habits that brought the band members to their knees. You'll learn of David's unsuccessful attempts at rehab and the period when he was strung out on methadone, cocaine, and heroin - all at the same time.

But My Life with Deth is far more than just another memoir of debauchery. Ellefson also shares the story of his faith journey, which began when he decided his only choice for survival was to get free from his addiction. In his recovery, he returned to his childhood roots in the Lutheran church and embraced his Christianity, which continues to inform his life and work today.

In the pages of this book, you'll find insightful comments from some of the biggest names in heavy metal, along with life lessons for every listener. Whether religious or not, you'll be enthralled, informed, and inspired by this tell-all book on discovering meaning in a life of rock and roll.

©2013 Howard Books (P)2014 David Ellefson

Open & Honest!

Listen and you will not be disappointed. Mr. Ellefson is a very down to earth musician that has helped me with some common ground struggles.

An amazing story!

if you are a metal fan like I am, you need to listen to this gentleman performing such a great experience telling his story. I love this guy! I have learned a lot from his words.

Worth a listen but not great.

Farming; alcohol; drugs; god; god; god! A ‘little’ bit of music in there too.
I was a listener more than an avid fan of Megadeth back in the 80s/90s but love a good music biog, and being a bassist, David is well up there with the greats of the genre but this book just didn’t cut it.

The quotations at the start of every chapter got a bit annoying and those too went all biblical too. 🙄
Dave’s foreword states he didn’t want to write this book and it kind of shows in the lack of effort put into it.

David has a great audiobook voice and the narration was pleasant but I felt this story lacked detail and substance. Like the book Mustaine, Dave (Sr.)’s autobiography, about half way in it goes all ‘God squad’ and gets very boring.
Worth a read (or listen if you get the audiobook like I did) but not great.

Fast, but informative

Where does My Life with Deth rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In terms of all the autobiography books I've listened to, I'd give this one 3.5 stars. It is informative, deep, and honest. On the other hand, it is read by David at 1.2x speed. I thought for a moment I had my speed setting too high. However, it is very enjoyable, and would listen to it again.

What did you like best about this story?

His honesty, depth, and as always - David just being David.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I can only assume the fast reading was a bit due to his inexperience. Otherwise, he read his book very well, and I enjoyed it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I finished it in two days. Loved it.

Deth is a candid view of life as a rock star

Ellefson expresses the reality of a life void without Christ. No matter what success this world can bring, when we walk separate from our Creator and what we were created for, we will have a life void of true meaning. Trying to fill that void with sex, drugs, and rock and roll has an appeal - but with a huge price tag. And, at the end, it's a one way path to hell. A great listen for all Megadeth fans, and all metal fans for that matter.