Let there be shred. Let there be Thrash Metal. And let there be Megadeth.

From their electrifying 1985 debut Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! to their 2022 metal attack The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!, Los Angeles, California’s own Thrash/Speed Metal beast Megadeth has delivered an overdose of breathtaking heavy music for the absolute delight of anyone who considers Mr. Dave Mustaine one of the best (if not THE best) shredder in the history of Heavy Metal, culminating with their incendiary self-titled seventeenth (and final) studio album now in 2026. Produced by Dave Mustaine himself alongside Chris Rakestraw, and depicting a burning Vic Rattlehead as its artwork, the new album by Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitars, Teemu Mäntysaari also on the guitars, James LoMenzo on bass, and Dirk Verbeuren on drums is not just a farewell by one of the most important bands in the history of music, but a statement of how much Mustaine has always loved what he does, and a serious contender for album of the year.

The initial riff in Tipping Point already warns us all it’s gonna be a thrashing extravaganza, with MegaDave roaring its rebellious lyrics manically (“Today I may bleed, but tonight you will die / Snatched in your sleep, in the blackest night / You buried the truth under layers of lies / There’s no return, now you’ve crossed the line”), followed by I Don’t Care, the second single released, offering a fusion of Thrash and Speed Metal with Mustaine’s Punk Rock influences, resulting in an excellent option for some slamming into the pit. Hey, God?! reminds me of some of his creations from the mid to late 90’s, with Dirk hammering his drums just the way we like it in mid-tempo Thrash Metal; whereas in Let There Be Shred the name of the song says it all, with Dave and Teemu kicking some ass with their incendiary riffage, not to mention its lyrics are an ode to Megadeth’s history (“On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands / The earth started rumbling a thunderous command / To bash and to thrash, to bang my head / To smash my guitar and let there be shred!”). Puppet Parade is another solid tune with James and Dirk bringing the groove to the band’s striking sonority, while Another Bad Day might be perhaps the weakest of all songs, a bit generic compared to the album’s thrashing party, although their riffs and bass lines are good as usual.

Made to Kill brings forward a massive wall of sounds of old school, uncompromised Thrash Metal where Mustaine’s raspy vocals match perfectly with the classic drumming by Dirk, speeding things up halfway through it for our total delight, and the quartet keeps blasting their instruments mercilessly in Obey the Call, offering an avalanche of heaviness while keeping their melodic vein intact, presenting another classy guitar work by Dave and Teemu. I Am War is just perfect for a nice road trip with your family and friends, where Dave is once again spot-on on vocals while also armed with his trademark riffs, supported by the heavy and groovy kitchen by James and Dirk. The Last Note is a very emotional song that will inspire you to keep headbanging even after it’s over, where Dave and Teemu keep distilling their flammable riffs nonstop while James hammers his bass like there’s no tomorrow; and lastly, we have their cover version for Metallica’s Ride the Lightning (you can check the original version from 1984 by clicking HERE). As I’m a MegaDave fanboy, I must say I prefer this new (or maybe I should say the “actual original”?) version, in special its riffs and, of course, its drums.

After the announcement of the album back in August 2025, it was confirmed its release will be accompanied by the band’s farewell tour. I have no idea how long that tour will last, hopefully a few years, and although I’m beyond excited for the band’s upcoming shows in Canada I must admit my heart doesn’t want those shows to happen, simply because that means those might be the very last times I see MegaDave and his thrashing machine live. Well, it is what it is, and if you’re a huge fan of the band like myself you can keep an eye on all things Megadeth via Facebook and Instagram, stream their entire discography on Spotify, and of course purchase their breathtaking, stylish self-titled album from their own webstore or by clicking HERE. Because in the end our mission is clear. Let there be shred. Let there be Thrash Metal. And let there be Megadeth.

Best moments of the album: Tipping Point, Let There Be Shred, Made to Kill, I Am War and The Last Note.

Worst moments of the album: Another Bad Day.

Released in 2026 Tradecraft/BLKIIBLK Records

Track listing
1. Tipping Point 4:29
2. I Don’t Care 3:10
3. Hey, God?! 3:29
4. Let There Be Shred 3:58
5. Puppet Parade 4:41
6. Another Bad Day 3:37
7. Made to Kill 4:01
8. Obey the Call 4:20
9. I Am War 3:46
10. The Last Note 5:31
11. Ride the Lightning (Metallica cover) 6:11

Band members
Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, guitars
Teemu Mäntysaari – guitars, backing vocals
James LoMenzo – bass, backing vocals
Dirk Verbeuren – drums