Sunday was a trying day for Megadeth. Frontman Dave Mustaine awoke to the news that his former bandmate, drummer Nick Menza, had passed away while performing a show at the Baked Potato in Studio City, Calif. The day ended with Mustaine and his bandmates getting a chance to let fans at the Rock'N Derby festival in New York join them in celebrating the life of Nick Menza during a moment of silence, with Mustaine explaining that "Nick went to heavy metal heaven last night." Watch the moment of silence in the video above.

Menza had been performing with the band OHM when he collapsed during the third song of the band's set. While an official cause of death has yet to be announced, it is believed he suffered a massive heart attack. Attempts to revive him by those in attendance and eventually by emergency personnel proved unsuccessful. Speaking with local Albany rock station Q103 prior to the performance, Mustaine revealed plans to have a moment of silence for Menza and also revealed that plans were in motion to do a benefit concert in California to help out the drummer's children.

Mustaine also released a statement that included the comments, "We, like all brothers, would disagree at times, but our bond was strong throughout. As a player, Nick had a very powerful jazzy flair, unpredictable and always entertaining, And as great a drummer as he was, the time spent with him as a person, a bandmate, and a friend was even more fun. There were several times we discussed him coming back to the band, but for various reasons it never came together. We’ve been in touch all along, he had come out to our shows recently, and he had remained a great friend, a true professional and a larger than life personality."

As the band ended their set at Rock'N Derby, there was one more Menza tribute. After the band finished their final song and took their bows, Mustaine addressed the crowd stating, "I usually say, 'You've been great, we've been Megadeth.' But Nick, you've been great. I love you, buddy." Watch that moment in the fan-shot video below.

Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Pays Tribute to Nick Menza at Rock'N Derby

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