MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine on Other Bands Who Have Announced Farewell Tours: 'They Never Follow Through With It and Stick to Their Word'
In a recent interview with UK's Metal Hammer, Dave Mustaine emphasized that MEGADETH won't be like other veteran hard rock and heavy metal bands, such as Mötley Crüe and Slayer, who have announced farewell tours but returned to the live stage a few years later. "I don't think so," he said. "You see the scuttlebutt that is associated with bands like that. You know they never follow through with it and stick to their word."
Despite not planning to release any studio albums, MEGADETH's upcoming self-titled effort, due in January 2026, Mustaine didn't rule out the possibility of a live album documenting their final tour. "Look, it all depends on how the statements are crafted," he said. "So, we're doing no more studio albums. Does that mean there might be a live album at the end of all of this? Yeah, it certainly looks that way."
Regarding his post-MEGADETH plans, Mustaine said, "Well, there's so much still going on now that I don't really want to think about that too much. I can't really conceive of an end right now."
He added, "I don't think there is going to be a morning after. I think for all of us, we're always going to be in MEGADETH. We're always going to be brothers now and best friends, and we're always going to be responsible for making some of the most fun music that bassists and guitarists and drummers will ever want to play."
Mustaine's decision to announce a final tour was influenced by his physical limitations, particularly hand pain and Dupuytren's contracture, which affects his ability to play the guitar. He shared his thoughts on the day he decided to announce his retirement, saying, "No. No, 'cause I just brought it up. I didn't decide. We were working in the studio [on MEGADETH's upcoming self-titled album], and it just had been a really difficult few weeks."
Mustaine elaborated on his hand issues, explaining that Dupuytren's contracture causes his finger to bend towards the palm, making it painful to play the guitar. He hasn't yet undergone surgery to correct the problem, as he wants to ensure he's fully recovered before proceeding. "I'm gonna wait for that until I'm ready to try it, because if I try it now and I'm 95 percent, and I do a surgery and it sets me back, that would've been a bad decision."
The Mayo Clinic defines Dupuytren's contracture as a condition causing fingers to bend towards the palm, with no known cure. Treatments aim to manage symptoms and slow progression. Mustaine's tour, dubbed the 'This Was Our Life' tour, will support the band's final self-titled album, marking the end of over four decades of musical history for the 64-year-old musician.
Mustaine's decision to embark on a farewell tour was influenced by his physical limitations, particularly hand pain and other health issues. He stated, "It had been a long time coming — just physical stuff that was going on with my hands... My hands were letting me down. And there were other things that were difficult because of all the stuff going on in my neck and my trunk."
He continued, "I always said when it got to the point where I was unable to give a hundred percent every night, that's when I was gonna start considering winding down. And it wasn't that I was unable to give a hundred percent, because we finished the record, and I think we did a good job on it, but there was a period when we were working and I said to my manager, I said, 'I don't know how much longer I can do this. My hands are really hurting.' And I didn't mean to set the ball rolling."
Mustaine's perspective on retirement is unique, emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself and not being caught up in the idea of longevity. He said, "I'm not caught up in longevity and stuff like that, and being one of those guys who can play until he's in his 80s. I have to remember that people live and they die. And I need to take good care of myself."
MEGADETH's final album, 'Megadeth,' will be released on January 23, 2026, via Mustaine's Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group's new BLKIIBLK label. In a press release, Mustaine expressed gratitude to fans for their support and love, acknowledging the band's impact on the music world. He said, "There's so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional. Most of them don't get to go out on their own terms on top, and that's where I'm at in my life right now."
Mustaine concluded, "I have traveled the world and have made millions upon millions of fans, and the hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye to them. We can't wait for you to hear this album and see us on tour. If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it's now."
MEGADETH's current lineup includes guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, drummer Dirk Verbeuren, and bassist James LoMenzo.
