New York, Aug 21 (UNI) Thrash metal veterans Megadeth are very close to completing their seventeenth and final – as of yet – untitled studio album, announced lead guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari.
The Finnish guitarist, also known for his work with the melodic death metal band Wintersun, shared updates on the on the recording sessions of the LP, stating that the recording, and arrangements are coming great, expressing much optimism over the album, reports Blabbermouth.
In a video message, the guitarist offering details said “Most of this year we’ve been in the studio working on the new MEGADETH music, starting with songwriting, getting in the studio and jamming together, arranging the songs, recording demos, getting all the little details right, getting the final takes and slowly crafting the music to its best form.
“So there’s been a lot of traveling between home, my home studio in Zurich [Switzerland] and the band’s studio in Nashville. We also got to squeeze in a couple of festival shows this summer.
“Currently we are very close to completing the recordings for the album,” Teemu revealed. “I think the songs are sounding great, and I am super excited for you guys to hear it soon as well. So, I hope you guys stay patient for just a little bit longer. New music and a lot of other exciting things are on the way. We have also some shows coming up this fall. “
He revealed that the band plans to headline an exclusive show in Istanbul before embarking on an all-out Europe tour with the American heavy metal band Disturbed joining them.
Megadeth’s founder and frontman Dave Mustaine had announced the band’s final album on Aug 14, with a farewell tour on 2026.
Announcing the final album and the farewell tour, Mustaine thanked fans for their commitment and love while celebrating the band’s impact on the music world.
“There’s so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” Mustaine said. “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. I have travelled the world and have made millions upon millions of fans and the hardest part of all of this is saying goodbye to them.”
He continued. “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. If there was ever a perfect time to tour the world, it’s now. This is also a perfect time for us to tell you that it’s our last studio album. We’ve made a lot of friends over the years and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour.
“Don’t be mad, don’t be sad, be happy for us all, come celebrate with me these next few years. We have done something together that’s truly wonderful and will probably never happen again. We started a musical style, we started a revolution, we changed the guitar world and how it’s played, and we changed the world. The bands I played in have influenced the world. I love you all for it. Thank you for everything.”
The thrash metal band released their last album ‘The Sick, The Dying, and the Dead’ on 2022, and was received with massive acclaim from fans and critics alike, becoming a chart topper that year.
Megadeth – referred to as the ‘Big Four’ of the thrash scene alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax – was formed by Mustaine after he was fired from Metallica in 1983 due to substance abuse.
Musically, Megadeth are known for their far more technical and complex songwriting, instrumental virtuoso, and political themes, on albums such as ‘Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?’, ‘Countdown to Extinction’, ‘Endgame’, ‘Rust in Peace’, ‘United Abominations’, ‘Youthanasia’, and ‘Dystopia’ among others.
The band has achieved double platinum status, and are considered one of the most important bands of all time, having sold over 50-60 million albums worldwide.
