COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION

AS MEGADETH PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL ALBUM RELEASE AND TOUR, DAVE MUSTAINE RECOUNTS SOME MEGA-MEMORIES, THE GHOSTS THAT STILL HAUNT HIM AND, OF COURSE, THE LEAD GUITARISTS HE PLAYED WITH ALONG THE WAY — THE GOOD, THE GREAT AND THE UNHINGED!

- ANDREW DALY

YOU CAN LOOK at Dave Mustaine's career in two ways: as a revenge tour or as a story of perpetual redemption.

If Mustaine's life, which is earmarked by iconic records like 1986's Peace Sells... But Who's Buying, 1990's Rust in Peace and 1992's Countdown to Extinction, is viewed through the post-Metallica-related revenge lens, then you might conclude that ol' Dave has done pretty well for himself.

Sure, Metallica is thrash metal's top dog, but Megadeth is one of the other three of that movement's Big Four along with Anthrax and Slayer. That means something. What also means something is that Mustaine, a fire-breathing, self-taught, V-wielding player, still endures at age 64 despite addiction issues, personality crises, a nasty arm injury, a cancer diagnosis and an ever-revolving band lineup. To that end, it's perhaps more astute to focus on the "perpetual redemption" angle, right?

After all, we're talking about one of rock and metal's most enigmatic and dynamic characters. And with that comes the push and pull between revenge and redemption - aka the naming of Mustaine's arc - that may never be finalized. At least, not now.

But maybe soon: Mustaine recently announced that early 2026's Megadeth, the band's 17th studio album, which features yet another new lead guitarist, Teemu Mäntysaari, will be their last. On top of that, the ensuing tour will be Mustaine's final trot around the globe.

Mustaine cautions that he isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as Megadeth's international fanbase dictates that a large-scale tour around said globe will be in order. As for that new album, it sounds decidedly old-school. You know, the kind of sound that made Mustaine a thrash metal legend back in 1986, 1990, 1992 and so on.