Legendary thrash metal band Megadeth have released their self-titled final studio album today (January 23), marking the end of an era for the Grammy Award-winning group. The album arrives via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label, six months after its initial announcement.
The release coincides with the global debut of Megadeth: Behind The Mask, a cinematic legacy event from Trafalgar Releasing that premiered on screens worldwide last night (January 22). Early critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with Metal Hammer declaring the band are “bowing out with another great album” and Kerrang! noting “they’re going out very fucking loudly, indeed.”
The album features four previously released singles: “Puppet Parade,” “Let There Be Shred!,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Tipping Point.” A standout bonus track includes a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which Mustaine originally co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich for their 1984 album of the same name.
The current Megadeth lineup features Mustaine alongside Teemu Mäntysaari on lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars, James LoMenzo on bass, and Dirk Verbeuren on drums. Critics have particularly praised the instrumental performances, with Velvet Thunder highlighting that “Teemu’s playing is otherworldly, interplaying with master Mustaine,” whilst Metal Talk noted “Mustaine’s playing is phenomenal.”
The album has garnered praise across the board, with The Guardian calling it a “thrash metal titans come to a cacophonous conclusion” and The Razor’s Edge describing it as “unmistakably Dave Mustaine and 100% Megadeth.” NME highlighted that “it’s the rarely seen moments of tenderness that truly stand out,” whilst Moshville Times declared it “the perfect way to round off an impressive career.”
Megadeth will embark on their farewell tour starting February 15 in Victoria, British Columbia. The cross-country Canadian headlining tour includes stops in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa before concluding on March 6 in Quebec City, Quebec.
Since their formation in 1983, Megadeth have sold 50 million records worldwide, received 13 Grammy nominations (winning once), and generated billions of streams. Their influential catalogue includes platinum-certified classics Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (ranked #8 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time”), Rust In Peace, and double-platinum Countdown To Extinction, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200.
Image credits:
Ross Halfin
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