Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH has agreed to pay $1.4 million to his former manager, to settle a legal dispute over allegations that the band still owed him a significant amount of money after his dismissal.

In the lawsuit filed in June 2023, Cory Brennan and his company, Five B Artist Management, claimed that Mustaine approached them in 2014. The two already had a friendly relationship from Brennan’s time as General Manager of Sanctuary Records, which had released three successful albums for Mustaine and MEGADETH. The lawsuit begins by stating:

“Through phone conversations and a personal meeting, Mustaine and Brennan agreed that Brennan and Five B would manage Mustaine’s career in exchange for a 15% commission on the gross revenues earned by Mustaine and his ventures from products (songs, albums, merchandise, etc.) and from all contracts signed during the period when Brennan led their management.”

The plaintiffs successfully began managing Mustaine’s career in early 2015, continuing for the next nine years. They helped reposition MEGADETH as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, shielded Mustaine from bad influences, cared for his health and well-being at home and on the road, assisted him with personal struggles, handled personal and professional conflicts, and guided him creatively to produce some of his best music.

In December 2022, after Brennan contributed to the planning of summer and fall tour schedules, Mustaine praised him via text:

“Great work, Cory! No one can manage things as successfully and professionally as you.”

Despite their success and long-term relationship, on April 28, 2023, Mustaine, through his attorney, fired Brennan and Five B without stating a reason. Brennan’s lawsuit attributes the decision to:

“Based on available information, the decision was made to bolster the career of Mustaine’s son, who is attempting to build a career in artist management.”

In a statement, Brennan’s attorney, Howard King, said that while his client regretted suing an artist, he was satisfied with the $1.4 million settlement. King noted:

“Dave Mustaine, who has a well-documented history of firing advisors, dismissed Five B Artist Management after nine years during which they revived his declining career. Ignoring the success Five B helped him achieve, he refused to pay owed commissions, forcing Five B to file suit. Mustaine has agreed to compensate Brennan and Five B for all customary expenses incurred for their management services, including travel and other related costs, with a payment of $1.4 million.”

Still pending is a countersuit filed by Mustaine in 2023, accusing Brennan of repeated management failures throughout their professional relationship. For instance, he alleges that his health was endangered due to mismanagement. Mustaine’s countersuit detailed:

“In 2023, MEGADETH performed in Australia at the Knotfest music festival, created by SLIPKNOT, managed by Brennan. Before MEGADETH’s performance, Brennan was informed that the stage did not have the 6.4-meter distance between the drums and Mustaine’s microphone, which was necessary for him to perform safely without damaging his hearing. Brennan knew of this stage requirement, as he had established it in the band’s technical rider. Mustaine and MEGADETH requested Brennan move SLIPKNOT’s equipment further back to create more stage space. Brennan refused. Mustaine’s hearing was damaged, requiring medical care from Australian paramedics. He continues to suffer from hearing loss and is undergoing further treatment.”

Additionally, Mustaine’s lawsuit claims that in 2017, Brennan and Five B failed to secure royalties from Mustaine’s time in METALLICA. The suit states:

“Five B knew they were responsible for ensuring Mustaine received due credit and royalties for his time in METALLICA but failed to do so. There was no update on the progress of the matter, or perhaps Five B simply did nothing. Through their inaction, they failed to protect Mustaine’s interests.”