Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
During a December 5th appearance on SiriusXM’s ‘Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,’ Megadeth‘s vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine provided further insights into the decision to disband the group following the conclusion of their forthcoming global farewell tour. In August, Mustaine publicly announced the band’s imminent dissolution, which will occur after an extensive touring cycle supporting their upcoming self-titled album, scheduled for release on January 23rd, as reported by theprp.
Mustaine, who has a history of injuries and related complications, disclosed that his age and the residual effects of previous health issues are increasingly impacting his physical condition. He has endured significant health challenges over the years, including a forced disbandment in April 2002 due to radial neuropathy that impaired the functionality of his left hand for several months.
His ongoing struggles with spinal stenosis and a 2019 battle with throat cancer have also affected his live performance capabilities. In the recent interview, Mustaine reflected on his current physical state and its influence on his decision to conclude touring activities.
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. All that area there has arthritis and it has discs that are bulging. I’ve got a broken lumbar bone. Of course, you know I have my back fused, up by my shoulders, by my neck. And just a lot of stuff.
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. Honestly, I just was making conversation, and it turned into me talking to the band guys and sleeping on it and talking to my family and praying on it. And the answer was clear to me that by the time we’re done with the record, I’m gonna know how the record’s gonna do. If the record does really well, then I’ll be able to have one last really good tour. And the part about the farewell thing, it’s kind of like the same thing, isn’t it? We’ve got some dates that we wanna play to say goodbye to our friends.
The thing is we’re an American band, but we play everywhere. So it’s not like we just are weekend warriors, like country acts here in the States. We’ve got a lot of touring to do in order to do our farewell properly.
Mustaine has publicly announced that he anticipates this upcoming final tour will span approximately three to five years. Although this duration may suggest a lengthy and potentially extensive tour, Mustaine clarified that he does not intend to prolong the tour beyond his own physical or creative limits.
I don’t think there’s any reason [for us] to [keep playing when we are not able to deliver a hundred percent.] I mean, unless you’re financially in a bad way and you need to keep playing, which, by the grace of God, I’ve been successful. I’ve been able to pay all my bills. All the band guys, they all get their paychecks on time. We do everything right by the book. So, some people, like I said, they may have to keep playing, because there’s nothing else for them to do.
Now, when I think about, what am I gonna do after I hang the guitar up, that’s in relation to touring, and I believe that I’m going to keep doing music in some way, shape or form. But not in the fashion that I was doing with MEGS because if I can’t do it and I need to stop playing with my first love, I’m not gonna go out and try and do it again with someone else.
Upcoming shows:
FEB 15 Victoria, BC
FEB 17 Abbotsford, BC
FEB 18 Kelowna, BC
FEB 20 Calgary, AB
FEB 21 Edmonton, AB
FEB 24 Saskatoon, SK
FEB 25 Winnipeg, MB
FEB 28 London, ON
MAR 01 Ottawa, ON
MAR 03 Halifax, NS
MAR 04 Moncton, NB
MAR 06 Québec, QC
04/23 Lima, PER – Costa 21
04/25 Bogota, COL – Movistar Arena
04/27 Bogota, COL – Movistar Arena
04/30 Buenos Aires, ARG – TBA
05/02 Sao Paulo, BRA – Espaco Unimed
05/05 Santiago, CHL – Movistar Arena
05/06 Santiago, CHL – Movistar Arena
05/08 Monterrey, MEX – Arena Monterrey
05/10 Mexico City, MEX – Arena Ciudad de Mexico
05/13 Guadalajara, MEX – Arena Guadalajara
06/10 Hradec Kralove, CZE – Rock For People
06/14 Ferrara, ITA – Ferrara Summer Festival
06/26 Helsinki, FIN – Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
June 7 | Gelsenkirchen, Germany
June 11 | Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
June 15 | Zurich, Switzerland
June 16 | Vienna, Austria
June 23 | Istanbul, Türkiye
June 28 | Almaty, Kazakhstan
With Iron Maiden:
08/29 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
08/30 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
09/03 Montréal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau (with Anthrax)
09/05 Harrison, NJ – Sports Illustrated Stadium (with Anthrax)
09/09 Boston, MA – TD Garden
09/11 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
09/12 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
09/15 Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
09/19 Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
09/22 Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
09/25 Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium (with Anthrax)
09/26 Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium (with Anthrax)
09/29 San Antonio, TX – Alamodome (with Anthrax)
