The forum post MacDonough made was entitled "Hello Droogs" and contained the following: I just wanted to say thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome and thank you for all the awesome memories along the road.

Thanks again my Metal brothers and sisters, James.The next day Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine posted in the forums saying he had nothing bad to say about James and that he hopes they remain friends.

On April 25, 2006, Blabbermouth.net reported that James would fill in for Nevermore bass player Jim Sheppard as he underwent treatment for Crohn's disease.

James is a long-time fan and friend of the band (on his Megadeth.com bio, he stated Nevermore's Enemies of Reality as one of his favorite albums[1]) and performed with them on their tour with In Flames in the mid part of 2006.

[2] As of November 2024, he has reunited with his former Iced Earth bandmate Brent Smedley in his band called Out of Darkness.