10 Heavy Metal Stories - The Great What-Ifs

 

Introduction

In this post, I tell you about 10 stories around the music of Heavy Metal. From Metallica to AC/DC, you will read about ten stories that will rock you out of your seat. These stories if happened could have changed lineups or even bands like Pantera may have a different legacy.

1.John Bush Almost Joined Metallica

In the early ’80s, James Hetfield wasn’t confident in his singing. He had the riffs, the writing, the attitude — but he didn’t think he had the voice. Metallica wanted a frontman who could command a stage, and John Bush of Armored Saint was at the top of their list.

Bush had the grit, power, and presence Metallica admired. They asked him to join and become the lead singer for what would become Kill ’Em All.  But Bush turned them down out of loyalty to Armored Saint.

That one decision forced James to step into the role he doubted — and his voice became one of the most iconic in metal history. Meanwhile, Armored Saint carved out their own legacy with classics like Can U Deliver.

When Raven went on tour with Metallica in 1983, they suggested that Metallica keep James as their singer as he fit the band style. Looking back at it 42 years later, Raven was right. Metallica is one of the biggest bands in Heavy Metal.

2. Dimebag Darrell Nearly Became Megadeth’s Guitarist

In the late ’80s, Dave Mustaine was rebuilding Megadeth and wanted a guitarist who could match his fire. Dimebag Darrell was the obvious choice.

Mustaine offered him the gig — but Dimebag had one condition:

“I’m only joining if my brother Vinnie joins too.”

Megadeth already had a drummer, so Mustaine said no.

Megadeth had Nick Amenza as their drummer.

Dimebag stayed with Pantera, who were about to reinvent themselves with Cowboys from Hell. Megadeth eventually found Marty Friedman, who became a legend in his own right.

Phil Anselmo joined Pantera in the late 80s and did power metal before Pantera got signed.

But the greatest what if as in Pantera could have ended here and had a different legacy if Dimebag joined Megadeth.

3. Kerry King’s Short Stint in Megadeth

Dave Mustaine was in Metallica from October 1981 up until April 1983. Dave did play on the demo of No life til Leather.

Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica in 1983 because of Dave's attitude when he would drink.  Metallica would still record Kill em All with Kirk instead of Dave and the album came out in July of 1983.

Dave formed Megadeth shortly after getting kicked out of Metallica. Where he would use Megadeth as revenge against Metallica. Also, for Megadeth to be faster and heavier.

Metallica and Megadeth would make peace in 1993.

Before Slayer became one of the Big Four, Kerry King briefly played in Megadeth. It lasted only a few weeks, but it was long enough to create tension.

King respected Mustaine’s playing, but the chemistry wasn’t right. Two strong personalities, two alpha guitarists — it wasn’t built to last.

Kerry played on Dave first live shows before leaving

Kerry and Dave had Chemistry issues which isn’t a shocker.

Kerry King did a one off where he played live with Megadeth in 2010.

But if this worked longer than a few shows, Kerry King lasting would be a question of how long in megadeth as a thought to fans.

4. Paul Baloff’s Forgotten Era in Heathen

Paul Baloff spent a short period in the Bay Area band Heathen. He recorded two demos — Hypnotized and Mercy Is No Virtue — showcasing his raw, aggressive style.

It didn’t last long.

Baloff moved on.

Heathen moved forward with David White.

Heathen's first album was Breaking the Silence.

But this moment shows how interconnected the Bay Area thrash scene really was. Everyone played with everyone at some point — and any of those combinations could’ve become the next big thing.

Paul Baloff went on to play with Piranha and Hirax.

Paul Baloff would rejoin Exodus in 1997 after Exodus took a few years off with Gary Holtz having short hair for a couple of years.

If Baloff and Heathen worked, this makes metal heads wonder how Breaking the Silence would sound.

5. Paul Baloff’s Forgotten Era in Piranha 

After being fired from Exodus due to label pressure for a more commercial sound, Baloff didn’t slow down. He formed Piranha, a band that carried some of Exodus’s energy but had its own identity.

They recorded a four‑song demo — produced by James Hetfield.

The standout track, Alone We Survive, even had a music video. Piranha had potential, but the band didn’t last long. Baloff left in 1989, and the group dissolved.

Still, the idea of Hetfield producing Baloff’s new band is one of those underrated metal connections fans love.

Makes you wonder if Piranha lasted if Exodus would have been able to bring Baloff back in the mid 90s.

6. Disturbed Before Disturbed: The Brawl Era

Before Disturbed became a household name, the band was called Brawl. Their original singer, Erich Awalt, recorded a four‑song demo with them. The style was like Pantera and heavy.

He left shortly after.

Then David Draiman auditioned — and everything changed.

He brought:

• a unique voice

• a commanding presence

• a name he’d been saving: Disturbed

This was the moment the band’s identity snapped into place.

Disturbed first single was Down With The Sickness, The Game, and Meaning of Life. 

The second single was of Dropping Plates, Stupify, and Want.

The artwork for the second single was of the guy who became Disturbed Mascot.

7. James Hetfield Side Album With Danzig

After leaving the Misfits, Glenn Danzig launched his solo band and recorded the self‑titled album Danzig. The label didn’t want outside musicians involved, but that didn’t stop James Hetfield from secretly contributing.

He played guitar on:

Possession & Twist of Cain

He went uncredited due to label restrictions, but the connection between Hetfield and Danzig has lasted decades.

James had to because of Elektra records. 

Around this time in 1988, Metallica came out with And Justice For All. 

James has played both songs with Danzig live.

8. James Hetfield Side Music Besides Danzig

In the mid‑’90s, James stepped outside Metallica for a few side projects. One of the most notable was Corrosion of Conformity.

He contributed:

• backup vocals on Man or Ash

• guitar on Seven Days

These appearances show a different side of Hetfield — a musician who loves collaborating with other heavy bands.

James has played both these songs live with Corrosion of Conformity but only a few times. 

Eclectic Electric" from the Primus album Antipop.

Hetfield performed guest vocals on "Drivin' Rain" on the Gov't Mule album The Deep. Which was also on the volume 2 Nascar on Fox: Crank it up CD in 2002. James also played with Heart and gave guest vocals on the Heart song "Beautiful Broken" from their album called Heart which was released on July 8, 2016.

James did not tour with these bands which became an issue over Ecobrain around when Jason Newsted left Metallica in 2001.

9. Eddie Van Halen Wanted to Join KISS

In the early ’80s, Eddie Van Halen was frustrated and considered leaving Van Halen. He approached KISS about joining them.

The reason was because Eddie was not getting along with David Lee Roth.

This happened during the recording on Creatures of the night which is a great Kiss album.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley talked him out of it.

They believed Eddie leaving Van Halen would hurt his legacy — and they were right.

But imagine:

• Eddie in KISS makeup

• Eddie replacing Ace Frehley

• Van Halen without Eddie

It’s one of the wildest “almost” moments in rock history.

Van Halen first album would be Van Halen one.

Kiss came out with Creatures of the Night.

David Lee Roth would leave Van Halen in 1984 and form a new band.

10. Marc Storace: The Singer Who Turned Down AC/DC

After Bon Scott passed away, AC/DC searched for a new singer. One of the people they approached was Marc Storace of Krokus.

Bon passed of alcohol poisoning which has always been a huge discussion in Rock and metal conservations.

Bon Scott Passed on February 19th of 1980. Which was the passing between the overnight of the 18th into the 19th.

He had the rasp, the power, the style — he fit the AC/DC mold perfectly.

But he turned it down.

He believed in Krokus and didn’t want to abandon the direction they were heading.

AC/DC eventually found Brian Johnson, who became one of the most iconic frontmen in rock.

Metal Rendez-vous was the 4th album by Krokus and came out around this time.

Brian Johnson came from Geordie.

Back in Black came out in July of 1980. 

Brian has sung for the band up until now.

Bon played two songs "Have a Drink on Me" and "Let Me Put My Love into You" during a session on February 15th in 1980.  

Back in black has sold 50 million copies.

Since joining the band Brian has played Bon era of AC/DC but refused to play long way to the top out of respect for Bon.

Closing Thoughts

You have read about ten stories that shocked the world of heavy metal. The bands and line ups that almost changed bands or made bands go down a different path. I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to comment!