2 weeks ago
11
Megadeth have revealed that they will release their final studio album and embark on a global farewell tour in 2026.
“There’s so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” frontman Dave Mustaine stated in a press release. “Most of them don’t get to go out on their own terms on top, and that’s where I’m at in my life right now. I have traveled the world and have made millions upon millions of fans and the hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye to them.”
No further details were given except that the album’s first single will be released this fall along with pre-orders, which begin September 27th per Megadeth’s website. The album is set to be released via Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in tandem with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label. Mustaine will also be releasing a new memoir next year, per the band’s press release.
“We can’t wait for you to hear this album and see us on tour,” Mustaine said. “If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it’s now. If there was ever a perfect time to tour the world, it’s now. This is also a perfect time for us to tell you that it’s our last studio album. We’ve made a lot of friends over the years and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour. Don’t be mad, don’t be sad, be happy for us all, come celebrate with me these next few years.”
He continued: “We have done something together that’s truly wonderful and will probably never happen again. We started a musical style, we started a revolution, we changed the guitar world and how it’s played, and we changed the world. The bands I played in have influenced the world. I love you all for it. Thank you for everything.”
Fans had been speculating on what Megadeth were planning after the band posted a mysterious countdown clock on Wednesday (August 13th). The countdown had a message with lyrics from the song “Holy Wars …the Punishment Due,” leading some to guess that the news was about the 35th anniversary of Rust in Peace. In actuality, the chosen lyrics ended up being quite literal: “The End Is Near. It’s Crystal Clear. Part Of The Master Plan.”
The band has since updated its website with a teaser video featuring Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead, which can be seen below along with the album artwork.
English (US) · 