Rafer Guzmán of Newsday.com recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On how he spends his downtime during the traveling heavy-metal festival Gigantour:

"I do yoga, a lot of yoga. I'm doing a lot of healthy things — which I know seems like a dichotomy, for a rock star to be taking care of himself."

On recovering from his arm injury in 2002 when doctors predicted he'd never again play guitar:

"I can look at my arms right now and know that one is a little smaller than the other. But I'm really the only one that can tell, besides the doctor."

On engaging in not only yoga but another unlikely activity:

"There was a period where I was looking at a lot of enlightenment and self-help books, and books on faith, just to improve myself as a writer and a human being." [He cites C.S. Lewis' theological fiction — particularly "The Screwtape Letters" — as an influence on the "The System Has Failed" album, which tackles themes of justice, war and power.]

On reports of Mustaine's retirement:

"I'm at a place where it's equivalent to the highs I've had in my career before. There's a lot of fuel left in the old tank."

The North American installment of Gigantour 2006 kicked off September 6 in Boise, Idaho. The trek features LAMB OF GOD, ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, OVERKILL, THE SMASHUP, INTO ETERNITY and SANCTITY in addition to the headliner MEGADETH.

MEGADETH's new CD, "United Abominations", is scheduled for release in early 2007 via Roadrunner Records.

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