Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has officially been declared a ‘Guest Of Honor’ in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The prestigious recognition was presented earlier today, April 29, during a special event at the city’s legislature.
The Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires granted the award, the highest distinction available to foreign citizens who “have distinguished themselves in culture, in science, in politics, in sports or who have rendered important services to humanity,” just one day ahead of the band’s scheduled April 30 concert at the Tecnópolis venue.
Megadeth released a collective statement expressing their appreciation for the civic accolade:
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the City of Buenos Aires for this distinction, naming Dave Mustaine as a Guest of Honor.”
“It is an honor that reflects not only his legacy, but also the deep connection between his music and the Argentine audience.”
“We are truly thankful for this recognition.”
The honor arrives amid a massive wave of global success for the thrash metal pioneers following the release of their self-titled final studio album, Megadeth. The record dominated charts worldwide, debuting at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 after moving 73,000 equivalent album units (including 69,000 pure sales) in its first week. Issued via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint under Frontiers Label Group’s BLKIIBLK, the album also hit No. 1 in Australia and Austria, while securing top-five placements in the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand.
Megadeth marks the band’s eighth top 10 entry on the Billboard 200, following the success of its direct predecessor, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, as well as historic records including Countdown To Extinction, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, United Abominations, Endgame, Super Collider, and Dystopia. To capture the sound of their swan song, the group once again recruited producer and engineer Chris Rakestraw, who helmed the band’s previous two studio efforts.
The current global trek serves as part of the band’s prolonged farewell campaign, which was initially announced last August.
“There’s so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” Dave Mustaine explained when detailing the band’s retirement plans. “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.”
The frontman has since clarified that while the recording of new studio albums has concluded, the farewell tour itself could realistically last “for another three to five years”.
Megadeth remaining tour dates:
Latin America
- Apr 30 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Tecnópolis
- May 02 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Espaço Unimed
- May 04 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
- May 05 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
- May 08 – Monterrey, Mexico @ Arena Monterrey
- May 10 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
- May 11 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
- May 13 – Guadalajara, Mexico @ Arena Guadalajara
Europe & Asia
- May 25 – Valencia, Spain @ Roig Arena
- May 27 – A Coruña, Spain @ Coliseum
- May 29 – Bilbao, Spain @ Bizkaia Arena BEC!
- Jun 02 – Hanover, Germany @ Heinz von Heiden Arena
- Jun 06 – Maastricht, Netherlands @ South of Heaven
- Jun 07 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany @ Amphitheater
- Jun 10 – Hradec Králové, Czechia @ Rock For People
- Jun 11 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
- Jun 14 – Ferrara, Italy @ Ferrara Summer Festival
- Jun 15 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622
- Jun 16 – Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
- Jun 18 – Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun 20 – Clisson, France @ Hellfest
- Jun 23 – Istanbul, Türkiye @ KüçükÇiftlik Park
- Jun 26 – Helsinki, Finland @ Tuska
- Jun 28 – Almaty, Kazakhstan @ Spartak Stadium
North America (Part 2)
- Aug 08 – Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip
- Aug 29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- Aug 30 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- Sep 03 – Montréal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Sep 05 – Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Sep 06 – Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Sep 09 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
- Sep 11 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
- Sep 12 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
- Sep 15 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium
- Sep 19 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater
- Sep 22 – Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
- Sep 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- Sep 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- Sep 29 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
