Dave Mustaine Says Megadeth’s Farewell Tour Will Still Go On For 3-5 Years

Megadeth is entering its closing chapter. Frontman Dave Mustaine has revealed that the thrash metal legends will retire after the release of their seventeenth, self-titled studio album, set to drop in January, followed by a farewell world tour. In August, Mustaine urged fans to celebrate the band’s accomplishments rather than mourn their departure.

“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,” he said, reflecting on a career spanning decades.

Health Challenges and Timing

Mustaine explained to Kerrang! that his recent health struggles helped shape the timing for Megadeth’s farewell. After facing throat cancer, neck fusion surgery, and arm palsy, he acknowledged that many would have stepped away, but his passion for performing kept him on stage. Still, he recognizes the importance of knowing when to step back.

“We’re easily talking about touring for another three to five years,” he teased. “I’m not caught up in longevity… I have to remember that people live and they die. And I need to take good care of myself.”

Closing the Circle Musically

Adding a symbolic touch to their final album, Megadeth will cover Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning,” a track Mustaine co-wrote in the early 1980s. Speaking to Metal Hammer, he explained that recording the song felt like returning to his roots.

“It’s back to where I came from, and honestly, it’s a good song, we played it really well. We sped it up a little, but I think when you do a version of a song, you have to make it just as good or better. I really think we’ve done it just as good as the original,” Mustaine said.

With several more years of touring on the horizon, fans can expect a carefully curated farewell, allowing Megadeth to celebrate their legacy while closing the door on one of metal’s most storied careers.