Megadeth have announced their final studio album and tour.
After posting an Instagram message teasing that “the end is near,” the iconic thrash metal band shared a video with a ”breaking news” announcement for fans.
The band’s animated skeleton mascot, Vic Rattlehead, announced, “The next Megadeth album will be the last. 40 years of metal forged in steel, ending in fire … And when the New Year rises, the global farewell tour.”
Founding guitarist Dave Mustaine also shared a personal message to fans, noting that he wants to go out on his own terms and “on top.”
“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,” Mustaine, 63, said, per Revolver magazine.
The rock legend added that Megadeth will produce one final studio album – their 17th— before heading out for a lengthy global tour. “If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it’s now,” he said. “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.”
Dave Mustaine Thanked Fans For Their Support
In his message, Mustaine said he hoped fans would be along for Megadeth’s final ride.
“Don’t be mad, don’t be sad, be happy for us all, come celebrate with me these next few years,” he added. “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.”
Mustaine later posted a photo of a huge vase of white roses, which he captioned, “Thank you, CTK management. From Dave, Teemu, James & Dirk.”
Megadeth was formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Mustaine. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, was released in 1986. The band won their first Grammy in 2015 for Dystopia, per Grammy.com.
Megadeth’s current, and now final, lineup features Mustaine, Teemu Mantysaari, James LoMenzo, and Dirk Verbeuren.
Related: Black Sabbath Legend Reveals How Farewell Show Really Ended
