Megadeth (album)
| Megadeth | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 23, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | 2024–2025 | |||
| Length | 41:02 | |||
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| Megadeth chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Megadeth | ||||
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Megadeth is the upcoming seventeenth and final studio album by the American thrash metal band Megadeth. Produced by Dave Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw, it is set to be released on January 23, 2026. It will be Megadeth's only album with guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, and their first since 2009's Endgame to feature bassist James LoMenzo.
The album was announced in August 2025; its release will be accompanied by the band's farewell tour. Two singles from the album have been released: the lead single, "Tipping Point", was released on October 3, 2025, while the follow-up, "I Don't Care", was released on November 14.
Production
In December 2024, frontman Dave Mustaine announced on Twitter that production of the album was underway with producer Chris Rakestraw. At the time, every other member of the band was away from the studio due to the holiday season, although he and Teemu Mäntysaari were working on new music remotely; the album will mark Mäntysaari's only appearance on a Megadeth studio album. Mustaine said that the band members would meet up in the studio to record the album a couple of weeks after Christmas.[1][2] By June 2025, the album was near completion and Mustaine shared another social media post of him recording vocals.[3]
Promotion and release
Megadeth was formally announced on August 14, 2025, with a social media trailer featuring band mascot Vic Rattlehead as well as a press release from Mustaine. Both stated that the record would be the band's last.[4] It will be accompanied by the band's farewell tour. The album will be released on January 23, 2026,[5] and the tour will take place throughout the year.[6] While the album was initially announced without a title, the band unveiled its cover art, which depicts a burning Vic Rattlehead.[7]
The album's lead single, "Tipping Point", was announced on September 25, 2025; a 30-second clip of the music video was also released.[8] The single was released on October 3,[9] with the music video released the same day.[10] The album's second single, "I Don't Care", was released on November 14.[11] The third single, "Let There Be Shred", will be released on December 19.[12]
The titles of four tracks on the record were revealed on October 27, which included "I Don’t Care", "Hey, God?!", "Let There Be Shred" and "Puppet Parade".[13] Two days later, five other track titles were announced: "Another Bad Day", "Made to Kill", "Obey the Call", "I Am War" and "The Last Note".[14] In addition to the ten main tracks, two bonus tracks have been made for the album. These include a cover of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning", a song which Mustaine co-wrote,[15] and "Bloodlust", which will be available exclusively on versions of the album purchased at Target stores.[16]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tipping Point" |
| 4:29 |
| 2. | "I Don't Care" |
| 3:10 |
| 3. | "Hey, God?!" |
| 3:29 |
| 4. | "Let There Be Shred" |
| 3:58 |
| 5. | "Puppet Parade" |
| 4:41 |
| 6. | "Another Bad Day" |
| 3:37 |
| 7. | "Made to Kill" |
| 4:01 |
| 8. | "Obey the Call" |
| 4:20 |
| 9. | "I Am War" |
| 3:46 |
| 10. | "The Last Note" |
| 5:31 |
| Total length: | 41:02 | ||
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Ride the Lightning" (Metallica cover) | 6:11 | |
| Total length: | 47:13 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Bloodlust" |
References
- ^ Wilkes, Emma (December 27, 2024). "Megadeth have started working on a new album". NME. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Piner, Chris (December 28, 2024). "Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Teases New Album: "You Guys Are Gonna Be Excited"". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (June 11, 2025). "MEGADETH Is Wrapping Up Recording Their New Album". Metal Injection. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (August 14, 2025). "Megadeth Announces Final Album & Tour With a Message to Fans: 'Don't Be Mad, Don't Be Sad'". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Adams, Gregory. "Hear MEGADETH's "Tipping Point": First single off thrash titans' final album". Revolver. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ Millman, Ethan (August 14, 2025). "Megadeth Announces Final Album, Farewell Tour: "Don't Be Mad, Don't Be Sad, Be Happy for Us All"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Hadusek, Jon (September 25, 2025). "Megadeth Share 30-Second Clip of New Song "Tipping Point," First Single from Final Album". Consequence. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (September 25, 2025). "Here's Your First Taste Of MEGADETH's Final Album". Metal Injection. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ Rolli, Bryan (October 3, 2025). "Megadeth Release Furious New Song 'Tipping Point' - Listen + Read the Lyrics". Loudwire. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ "MEGADETH Release New Single And Music Video "Tipping Point"; Final Album Available For Pre-Order". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ Childers, Chad (November 14, 2025). "Here Are the Lyrics to Megadeth's New Song 'I Don't Care'". Loudwire. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (December 16, 2025). "Brace Yourselves, Megadeth's Going to Release "Let There Be Shred" This Friday". MetalSucks. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ Baldin, Benedetta (October 27, 2025). "Megadeth reveal partial tracklist of their last studio album". Chaoszine. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Childers, Chad (October 29, 2025). "Megadeth Reveal Titles to the 10 Songs on Final Album". Loudwire. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Legaspi, Althea; Grow, Kory (October 30, 2025). "Dave Mustaine Talks Re-Recording Metallica Classic 'Ride the Lightning' to 'Pay Tribute to the Band'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Megadeth - Megadeth (Target Exclusive, CD)". Target Corporation. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Megadeth : Megadeth: Digital Music". Amazon. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ Schaffner, Lauryn (October 30, 2025). "Megadeth Cover Metallica Song Dave Mustaine Co-Wrote on Final Album". Loudwire. Retrieved October 30, 2025.