Megadeth Confirms Bassist James LoMenzo Is Now A 'Permanent' Member

Megadeth has confirmed that returning former bassist James LoMenzo has been restored as a "permanent" member of the band.

LoMenzo, who previously played in Megadeth from 2006 - 2010, toured with Megadeth last summer following the band's latest schism with co-founding bassist Dave Ellefson.

"I am thrilled to welcome back James to the Megadeth family," frontman Dave Mustaine said in a statement. "James rejoined the fold as the touring bassist and it's been a blast having him back. We thought let's make it permanent."

LoMenzo joins a Megadeth lineup featuring Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. The band is inching closer to the release of its 16th studio album, The Sick, the Dying ... and the Dead!, due in July.

"I'm so excited to rejoin Megadeth and move forward full steam into the next phase of this iconic band's history!" LoMenzo added in a statement. "With Dave, Kiko and Dirk, there's no stopping us! It just feels great to be home again."

The Sick, the Dying ... and the Dead will be Megadeth's first new studio album in six years and the follow-up to the band's Grammy-winning 16th LP, Dystopia.

While there was little doubt that LoMenzo would tour with Megadeth, he does not appear on the forthcoming album. Following Ellefson's departure, Mustaine made the decision to re-record bass guitars on the new album with renowned metal bassist Steve DiGiorgio.