The track pairs Kings Of Thrash vocalist Chaz Leon with Gabriel Connor, frontman of Los Angeles theatrical rock outfit Red Devil Vortex, in a dual vocal performance. Former Exodus singer Steve “Zetro” Souza also appears as a guest. Mixing duties were handled by Grammy-winning producer Cameron Webb, whose credits include Motörhead, Danzig, and Godsmack.
Young has spoken about the song’s origins, tracing it back to drum recordings made by the late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza during the production of a documentary about his life (transcribed by Blabbermouth). “During the making of the Nick Menza film, I acquired several demo recordings of Nick playing various drum progressions,” Young said. “In essence, the introduction, verses, and chorus of ‘Bullets Ready’ came from playing along to one of Nick‘s energetic grooves.
“During Megadeth‘s ‘So Far, So Good…So What!’ tour, it was often David, Nick, and me that would conduct the soundchecks,” Young continued. “It was a surreal and nostalgic feeling to be playing along and writing riffs with my long-lost friend. Nick’s playing inspired so much of this song, and his spirit is forever encapsulated inside this recording.”
The accompanying music video was shot in Hollywood and directed by Kings Of Thrash drummer Fred Aching. Additional footage was captured at the Nelson Valley Ghost Town in El Dorado Valley, Arizona — the same location used in the film 3000 Miles To Graceland.
Kings Of Thrash formed in April 2022 following a joint appearance by Ellefson and Young at an Ultimate Jam Night at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, where the two performed classic Megadeth material alongside Leon. The band was built around Ellefson‘s vision of a live show devoted to early Megadeth albums and seldom-played deep cuts from that era — a concept dubbed “The MEGA Years.”
In November 2022, the group played four proof-of-concept dates in San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Hollywood. The Whisky A Go Go show was captured on camera and later released as The Best Of The West – Live At The Whisky A Go Go, a double live album and DVD issued by Cleopatra Records in spring 2023 on digital and vinyl. In 2025, the band released its first original track, the thrash/punk-leaning “Lockdown,” with a music video also directed by Aching.
The band is currently on a global tour with upcoming dates in Canada, the U.S., Norway, Ireland, and the U.K.
