MEGADETH – Megadeth

RELEASE YEAR: 2026
BAND URL: https://www.megadeth.com/

How to sum up the vital importance and pioneering spirit of thrash metal titans Megadeth? To many of us, Dave Mustaine and his supremely talented cohorts delivered a string of flawless soundtracks to our youths that still resonate with us to this day, and which will undoubtedly continue to inspire and move us. But you do not really need me to sum up Megadeth’s impressive discography or band history, do you? Right, that is what I figured. Let us discuss their brand-new LP instead, shall we?

This self-titled effort of theirs, which is meant to signify the end of their recording career before embarking on a lengthy world tour to cap it all of in style, is pretty much everything that a fan of the ensemble and quality metal music in general could have asked for. That every aspect of the output screams professionalism, focus, and discipline is one thing, but nearly every track on the disc is a winner and delivers blistering and muscular riffs, shredding licks and melodic solos from another realm, the prominent pulse of what is arguably the tightest rhythm section in all of heavy metal, and an abundance of strong vocal hooks. In some respects, it recalls the atmosphere and aura of 2016’s fabulous Dystopia and also its infectious energy, sophisticated arrangements, stirring song material and state of the art production values. In terms of undiluted grit, subtle hints of spontaneity, and the ability to create a bit of tension within each composition, this upcoming effort of theirs also reminds this scribe of 2011’s underrated Th1rt3en record.

While the singles “Tipping Point,” “I Don’t Care,” and “Let There Be Shred” are some of the most immediate and instantly memorable entries on the album, there are several gems to be discovered and gorged on including the dark and brooding “Obey the Call” as well as the riveting rendition of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning,” which Mustaine co-wrote with his Metallica bandmates back in the day. The latter, which is a bonus track, serves as a homage of sorts to Dave’s humble beginnings and by extension the invigorating start to an inspired musical phenomenon that would ignite the metal underground and spark a new movement. In addition, the epic song also strikes these ears as a fitting metaphorical starting point of the journey that he embarked on all those years ago and which continues to this day. In other words, the inclusion of the Metallica tune makes perfect sense in this particular context, and Dave’s fingerprints were always all over that one anyways. The only thing you need to concern yourself with is that it sounds fucking huge and sharp as a razor here and that you will undoubtedly love it!

The same drive, conviction, and confidence that permeate past works also course through this 2026 opus, and both the vigor and the vitality of Megadeth are forces to be reckoned with here. Nobody does the combination of accessibility, catchiness, technicality, precision, lyrical depth, and utterly stimulating thrash metal of the highest order better than these chaps, and this hard-hitting swansong of theirs is proof of that. Drummer Dirk Verbeuren, bassist James LoMenzo, lead guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, and the inimitable Dave Mustaine are right on the money and firing on all cylinders throughout, so what more could one ask for?!

Megadeth is a most fitting finale to an outstanding career in music. Just the title alone is absolutely perfect and suitably poignant in terms of underlining and emphasizing just what an amazing ride it has been for the members of Megadeth and us, the fans and adherents of one of the greatest groups of all time. Truly thrilling stuff. Make sure you listen to it from beginning to end.