Megadeth's self-titled, and alleged final studio album, has arrived! Dave Mustaine says they will tour for about three years and then retire. Singles have been getting slowly released for months and the full album, with white Vic Rattlehead on fire logo, was released officially on January 23, 2026. It's the first album with guitarist Teemu Mantysaari (Wintersun). For those interested in physical copies there are CDs and multiple versions of vinyl which appear to be different colors depending on what retail store you get them from.
Here's my impressions: If you like Megadeth already, you will like this album. There's plenty to celebrate. If you don't already like Megadeth, this album is not likely to change your mind. There's nothing groundbreaking that they haven't done before. Overall, it is a great album. I was hoping for a masterpiece to go out on and I think it falls a little short of that. I would rank it 5 out of 17 in the Megadeth catalogue.
1. Tipping Point - The album starts off with signature fast riffing and what sounds like a commentary on the current political climate without getting too detailed in the lyrics. This was the first single, released October 3, 2025.
2. I Don't Care - Talky, scratchy vocals with an angsty early 2000s vibe and lots of ripping guitar licks. Personally, I could see myself playing this one often. It's a vibe.
3. Hey God?! - This one is a poem or prayer to God. It's introspective and honest about feeling insecure and trying to find one's relationship with a higher power. I didn't expect this kind of song at this point in Mustaine's career, but I really appreciate the sentiment.
4. Let There Be Shred - Listening to these songs from start to finish in the album track order you start to notice that this is Mustaine's final opus and he is making no apologies about showing off his guitar skills and staking his claim to being a thrash godfather. He was never known for his vocal ability, and on this album he ranges from cringy to passable as a singer. But the riffs are in your face and this one has a fast driving rhythm to propel the album forward and provide a nice soundtrack for a roadtrip or run on the treadmill.
5. Puppet Parade - This sounds like vintage 90's Megadeth.
6. Another Bad Day - A self pity song that some people will love and others will skip.
7. Made to Kill - An uptempo anti-war song that mentions drones and blood-soaked kings. Crunchy riffs in the verses and a few shredding solos to break up the repetitiveness.
8. Obey the Call - A slower song about the "pawns" rising up against the "false crusaders" until the the final minute which melts faces.
9. I Am War - Another slower anti-war song that is pretty basic until you get to the solo. At track 9 it seems like a filler, but it certainly shows there is a theme to this album.
10. The Last Note - A reflection on a musical career, and frankly, a goodbye opus. With lyrics like "And now it's time for me to say the long goodbye" and " if I ever play again then let this last note never die," the message is clear. He ends it by saying "I came. I ruled. Now, I disappear."
11. Ride the Lightning (Bonus track, all releases except Target edition) - But wait, there's more! - the bonus track that many Megadeth fans have been waiting years for. A song to bring Mustaine's career full circle is a reimagined cover of the famous 1984 Metallica track in the style of Megadeth. The first thing that stands out to me is the bass. The singing is certainly a different vibe, and while not particularly good technically speaking, it gives the song a much darker tone. The vocals with Hetfield are actually too airy in my opinion due to the echo effect. Then the guitars take over with a Dragonforce type of riffing four minutes in, and then the drums take the forefront while the Pantera-like rhythm parts play before the final crescendo. For those curious, James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich get official co-writing credits on this song. I personally prefer this version, but not everyone will agree.
11. Bloodlust (Bonus track, Target edition cds and vinyl only) - This song by Mustaine, Mantysaari, and Mary Evelyn Clement sounds like a throwback in that it isn't overproduced and has shades of early Megadeth. It also sounds to me like the most balanced between song lyrics and musicianship. It's definitely worth looking up this track if you are a fan of the band and don't have the Target release.
