Thrash metal legends Megadeth have announced their retirement after over 40 years, with their upcoming seventeenth studio album, set for release in early 2026 via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint and Frontiers Label Group’s BLKIIBLK label, being their last. Frontman Dave Mustaine confirmed the news on August 14, 2025, stating that the band will embark on a global farewell tour starting in 2026 to celebrate their legacy. Mustaine emphasized going out "on their own terms," citing the difficulty of saying goodbye to millions of fans worldwide. The band, founded in 1983 after Mustaine departed from Metallica, has sold over 50 million albums and significantly influenced the metal genre, with five platinum records and a 2017 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. Mustaine also plans to release a memoir in 2026, with further details to follow. Fans can expect the first single from the final album this fall, with pre-orders starting September 25, 2025.
