With Megadeth’s seventeenth and final self-titled studio album officially dominating the U.S. charts, frontman Dave Mustaine is preparing to close the book on one of heavy metal’s most legendary careers. The record serves as a definitive statement from the thrash pioneers, wrapping up with the moving elegy “The Last Note,” where the 64-year-old icon signs off with the biting lyric: “I came, I ruled, now I disappear.”
In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, the thrash metal architect opened up about the physical limitations that forced his retirement, finding peace with his former bandmates in Metallica, his absence from Ozzy Osbourne‘s farewell, and his surprising post-touring plans.
Despite the band currently firing on all cylinders, rounded out by guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, bassist James LoMenzo, and drummer Dirk Verbeuren, the frontman revealed that severe nerve damage ultimately dictated the band’s impending end.
“Well I always said that when I can’t do my job a hundred per cent that I would hang it up. My mind can play, but my hands are injured, so I’d got a decision to make: do I keep going on and not tell anybody, or do I say something?” Dave Mustaine explained.
He recalled the difficult conversation he had with his son and management team member, Justis Mustaine, during the recording process. “We were almost two thirds of the way done with the record, and I was talking to my son, Justis – he’s part of our management team – and said: ‘My hands hurt, and I don’t know how much longer I can do this.’ I’ve already got arthritis in my hands, and some fingers are numb, so it’s like, how much more can my hands take?”
Looking back on his reputation in the music industry, the frontman expressed zero regrets about his notoriously outspoken nature.
“Within the industry there were several people who took exception with the things that I would say, but my role in life was to be a proud, bold lion, to tell the truth, and stick up for what’s right,” he stated.
That hard-earned peace of mind extends to his complicated, decades-long relationship with Metallica. The conversation drifted toward the famous, highly emotional confrontation with drummer Lars Ulrich featured in the 2004 documentary “Some Kind of Monster.” When asked if he has finally found peace after years of feeling overshadowed and publicly disparaged by his former camp, the vocalist admitted that constantly having to justify his talent took a massive toll.
“I’ve always had a sense of peace with what I have. But it was when I had to spend my entire career, almost, on defence. There’s nothing between me and Metallica any more as far as any negative energy, but it was difficult, for all those years, having to deal with the comments. Especially them saying I can’t play. Are you out of your mind? Who would say something like that?” he shared.
To bring things full circle and prove the hatchet is fully buried, the final track on the new Megadeth album is a reimagined cover of Metallica‘s “Ride The Lightning“—a thrash anthem he famously co-wrote.
“Well there isn’t any resentment now. I’ve always respected and loved James’ guitar playing, and that’s why we did the last track on the record [a cover of Metallica’s ‘Ride The Lighting‘]. I’ve got my own band that I love, and it just felt right to do a version of a song that I had written earlier with Metallica, and put my DNA on it.”
When asked if anyone from the Metallica camp had reached out to share their thoughts on his modern take on the track, the frontman revealed he had not heard from them, but used the opportunity to fondly recall their early camaraderie.
“No, and I don’t expect to. I know they’re pretty aware of what’s going on in the world, and I’m sure at some point someone will say something to them, and it’s up to whether they want to listen to it without prejudice or not. Honestly, that band was about having fun, and that’s one of the things that I missed, the brotherhood and the fun,” he noted.
The frontman also took a moment to clarify Megadeth‘s notable absence from the massive “Back To The Beginning” farewell concert honoring Black Sabbath and the late Ozzy Osbourne.
“No, it was because we were over in Europe touring with Disturbed. Nobody on the outside knew how imminent Ozzy’s passing was going to be, and I certainly didn’t. And I loved Ozzy. I thought he and Sharon were two of the nicest people to me in the music business. I was rocked when that happened.”
While Megadeth‘s final world tour currently has dates booked through 2028 alongside acts like Exodus and Anthrax, the frontman is already sketching out his post-touring life. Surprisingly, his retirement plans involve stepping away from the microphone and getting in front of the camera.
“I wouldn’t mind studying acting. I’ve already done a ton of stuff on TV – hosting game shows, appearances in small sitcoms and movies – so I’m very accustomed to being in front of the camera, and I think that might be fun to do. If they asked me to cut my hair, I’d be willing to do it, but it would have to be for a guaranteed part – and a big part, to make that kind of a commitment,” he said.
In addition to a potential Hollywood run, he plans to dedicate his downtime to mentoring the next generation of artists.
“I also really want to share my gift with younger musicians. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be a younger musician. If it’s somebody that’s a little bit older and they want to learn what it is that makes Dave tick, I don’t care about their date of birth, I just want to be able to share. I’ve been gifted. I wouldn’t be this good on my own, this is a gift from God.”
