Megadeth Enlist Country Star Steve Wariner for New Album

Megadeth fans may detect a hint of Nashville on the band's upcoming album.

Country veteran Steve Wariner recently revealed that the band called him in during the sessions for the crowdfunded LP, telling the Tennessean, "Worlds collide — it’s funny. Imagine Megadeth with steel guitar. That’s what I did, and Dave Mustaine is the nicest guy in the world. Isn’t that crazy? It’s out of my world. You know me, I’m a traditional country guy. But the stuff I played on is awesome."

Wariner may be guilty of excessive modesty by referring to himself as a "traditional country guy" — in addition to being a talented songwriter and distinctive vocalist, he's also long been renowned for his guitar skills, which tend not to be the focus on most of his records but have been granted the spotlight on a pair of instrumental LPs, 1996's No More Mr. Nice Guy and 2011's Guitar Laboratory. The latter release in particular provides a showcase for Wariner's eclectic interests, incorporating elements of country as well as classical, jazz, rock and even traditional Hawaiian music.

The collaboration may come as a surprise to some Megadeth fans, but it isn't completely out of left field. As frontman Dave Mustaine told Loudwire last year after the band performed at a George Jones tribute concert, "My daughter is a country singer now and I have to — well I don’t have to, but I listen to that stuff at home. It’s playing in the background; I’m like, 'Them preachers got bears down there in Alabama.'"

While Megadeth works toward finishing the new LP, Mustaine is already looking ahead to their next project — which will apparently look back on a classic chapter from their past. As he revealed in the tweet below, plans are in the works for a 30th anniversary celebration of the band's debut record, Killing Is My Business ... And Business Is Good!

See Megadeth and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '90s

The 10 Worst Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs