Lee Altus, born 13 May 1966 in Odessa, Ukrainian SSR, is an American heavy metal guitarist. Altus first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his original band, Heathen, where Altus displayed his virtuosic and highly technical neoclassical guitar playing style. He is principal songwriter and founding member of Heathen as well, playing on all three of their LP's, Breaking The Silence, Victims of Deception and The Evolution of Chaos. In 1990, Altus was considered for the position in Megadeth vacated by Jeff Young, but declined due to Megadeth's potentially dangerous drug-heavy life style, and the job was given instead to Marty Friedman.