Lombardo, who split with Slayer in 2013, is one of the people who's been connected with the vacant Megadeth role - although he's previously said no discussions have taken place.

He tells Metal Ireland: "I've been getting phone calls like, 'Are you going to join this band?' No. I refuse to be someone's employee. I want to work on something I'm a part of, not just a guy that receives a pay check.

"I want to be part of the artist development. An artist, not just a hired gun. I've had enough of that - I need freedom." He adds: "Megadeth has its own style. I'm really busy with my own music."