Classic Metal Band Announces Final Album and Farewell Tour originally appeared on Parade.
When it comes to American metal, there are the “big four” bands, the pillars of headbanging, that laid the foundation for the past forty years: Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth. With Dave Mustaine at the helm, Megadeth has forged an incredible legacy with albums like Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, and Rust in Peace (considered one of the best thrash metal records of all time).
Sadly, not even metal lasts forever. Mustaine, 63, announced on Aug. 14 that Megadeth’s upcoming album, expected in 2026, will be the band’s last. That year, the band will embark on a global farewell tour.
Mustaine shared the news via his alter ego (and Megadeth’s mascot), Vic Rattlehead.
“There are so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” said Mustaine 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.”
“We’ve made a lot of friends over the years, and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour,” adds Mustaine. “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,” he added. “The bands I played in have influenced the world. I love you all for it. Thank you for everything.”
Mustaine also announced that in 2026, he’ll release a new memoir. Details of that will arrive in the coming months.
Dave Mustaine and Megadeth perform at Resurrection Fest Estrella Galicia 2024 on June 29, 2024, in Viveiro, Spain.Photo by Mariano Regidor/Redferns
Megadeth Announces Final Album and Farewell Tour
Megadeth was formed in 1983, under acrimonious circumstances. For the prior two years, Dave Mustaine was Metallica’s lead guitarist, writing some of the band’s earliest songs. The group fired Mustaine before recording their debut, Kill’ Em All, and the tension between Dave and Metallica has always been a public interest.
Mustaine has been a controversial figure in the metal world, thanks to some of the inflammatory comments and fans clashing with his outspoken personal and religious convictions. But his impact on metal is undeniable.
And fans will get one last chance to see him in person before he heads off into heavy metal retirement.
Related: Prior to His Death, Hulk Hogan Claimed He Almost Joined This Classic Metal Band
Classic Metal Band Announces Final Album and Farewell Tour first appeared on Parade on Aug 14, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.