Dave Mustaine’s New Memoir Will Reveal His Private Battle With Cancer

Dave Mustaine has been busy promoting the final chapter of Megadeth’s career, discussing both the band’s self-titled farewell album due in 2026 and their upcoming final tour. During a recent appearance on WAPL Mornings With Laura Lee & Cutter, Mustaine also opened up about his next memoir, In My Darkest Hour, scheduled for release in 2027, which will delve deeply into his experience battling throat cancer in 2019.

Inside In My Darkest Hour

Midway through the interview, Mustaine was asked what readers can expect from the book. He described it as a detailed account of his medical journey and the realities of life during that period, focusing heavily on the treatment process and its impact on his daily routine.

Mustaine explained that he often went straight from radiation and chemotherapy sessions to the recording studio. Some days, the toll was overwhelming—he recalled needing to step outside to vomit before returning to continue recording. He lost a significant amount of weight during treatment, but credited drummer Dirk Verbeuren and producer Chris Rakestraw for their unwavering support, which helped him push through the ordeal.

Reflecting on the experience, Mustaine said he would never want to relive it, but emphasized that his mindset played a crucial role in his recovery. Now six years in remission, he said that if he were ever to face cancer again, he would approach it with the same determination. Because he is a singer, his radiation treatment had to be handled with extreme precision—any slight miscalculation could have permanently ended his ability to perform.

A Continuation of His Story

In My Darkest Hour follows Mustaine’s previous books, Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir (2010) and Rust in Peace: The Inside Story of the Megadeth Masterpiece (2020). The new memoir is co-written with New York Times journalist Joe Layden, who previously collaborated with Mustaine and also worked with late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley on No Regrets: A Rock ’N’ Roll Memoir.

Set for release in September 2027 through Da Capo Press, the memoir is described as an unfiltered reflection shaped by confronting mortality. The book traces Mustaine’s journey from the treatment room to the studio, documenting how radiation and chemotherapy sessions were followed by hours of recording that ultimately led to Megadeth’s sixteenth album, The Sick, The Dying… and the Dead!.

Beyond the physical battle, the memoir explores how the diagnosis strengthened Mustaine’s relationships with his family, deepened his faith, and forced him to embrace vulnerability in his art. The publisher characterizes the book as a story of resilience and perseverance, offering a more human portrait of an artist long seen as indestructible.

Revisiting Mustaine’s Cancer Battle

Mustaine publicly revealed his throat cancer diagnosis in June 2019, which led to the cancellation of Megadeth’s tour that year. At the time, he expressed confidence in overcoming the disease, telling Rolling Stone that he would accept nothing short of victory. By October 2019, former bandmate David Ellefson confirmed that Mustaine had completed treatment, and in early 2020, Mustaine announced to fans that he was cancer-free.

Years later, Mustaine disclosed that he used marijuana to help manage the side effects of 51 radiation treatments and nine chemotherapy sessions.

Farewell Tour and Final Album

More recently, Mustaine spoke with Loudwire Nights host Chuck Armstrong about Megadeth’s farewell tour, which kicked off on February 15 in Victoria, British Columbia. He said the band intends to leave on a high note, emphasizing that Megadeth continues to perform at a level that rivals many contemporary touring acts.

Mustaine also revealed that the lyrics to the band’s final song, “The Last Note,” took time to finalize because the group didn’t initially know the album would be their last. Once the decision was made, the song was rewritten to reflect the idea of ending their career with dignity rather than overstaying their legacy.

Thoughts on the Next Generation

Earlier this month, Mustaine shared his concerns with NME about the pressures facing rising rock artist Yungblud. While acknowledging his potential, Mustaine warned that working with too many collaborators can risk diluting originality, leading to music that lacks a distinct identity.

As Megadeth’s farewell tour continues, the band will perform across Canada before heading to South America and Europe, and will eventually return to North America in September. Along the way, they’ll share stages with fellow heavyweights Anthrax, Exodus, and Iron Maiden—bringing one of metal’s most influential careers to a definitive close.