Megadeth’s former members will not take part in the farewell tour of the band

Last year, Megadeth caused a significant stir within the metal community when Dave Mustaine announced that their forthcoming self-titled 17th studio album, scheduled for release later this month, would be their final recording, as per MetalInjection. This album will commemorate several notable milestones, including being the sole studio project featuring guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, who replaced Kiko Loureiro in 2023, and a notable cover of Metallica‘s “Ride the Lightning,” a track Mustaine co-wrote during his brief tenure with Metallica in the early 1980s. To promote the album, the band will undertake an extensive world tour to commemorate both the new release and Megadeth‘s extensive career. However, fans expecting surprise appearances by former members may be disappointed, as Mustaine clarified in a recent interview that revisiting the band’s complex lineup history is not of interest.

We’ve already done that with Marty. And I mean, let’s look at the other people we’ve played with… there’s a lot of people.

That would be a huge undertaking. I don’t think I want to do that. I’d rather keep doing what we’re doing and let the fans experience Megadeth music and be happy about it. It’s not ‘puppet show Megadeth.’

In the interview with Guitar World, Mustaine, aged 64, reflected on his enduring presence in thrash metal, emphasizing his appreciation for his longevity.

I wish I would have kept in touch with [late Megadeth drummer] Gar Samuelson. Whenever stuff like that happens, I feel fortunate because I’m still kicking. But on the opposite side of the coin, I think, ‘Fuck… that could have been me.’

He attributed the decision to conclude Megadeth to considerations of timing, personal control, and gratitude.

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.