Megadeth will soon be no more. Frontman and co-founder Dave Mustaine shared that the thrash metal band will break up after releasing a new album in 2026 and going on a farewell tour. Details on the album and tour are scarce, but Megadeth did reveal the album’s artwork. Find that, along with a video about the end of Megadeth, below.
“There’s so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” Mustaine said in a press statement. “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.”
He continued: “We can’t wait for you to hear this album and see us on tour. 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. 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.”
Dave Mustaine founded Megadeth in 1983 after being fired from Metallica. His new band released its debut album, Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, in 1985, and Megadeth operated at a steady clip until going on hiatus between 2002 and 2004. The most recent Megadeth album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!, landed in September 2022. Joining Mustaine in the band’s final iteration are bassist James LoMenzo, drummer Dirk Verbeuren, and guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari.
Mustaine revealed in 2019 that he was diagnosed with throat cancer. The following year, he said that he was cancer-free. Mustaine plans to release a new memoir in 2026.