Megadeth has dropped “I Don’t Care,” the aggressive and “punkish” new single from their upcoming seventeenth and final studio album. The track is the second song to be released from the self-titled Megadeth, following last month’s lead single, “Tipping Point.” The new album is scheduled for release on January 23, 2026, and serves as the kickoff for the band’s extensive farewell.
Driven by a rebellious spirit, “I Don’t Care” showcases a more punk-influenced side of the thrash pioneers. The song’s defiant attitude is clear in its lyrics, with frontman Dave Mustaine declaring: “I don’t care if I’m out of line / I don’t care cause this life is mine / I don’t care; you don’t like what I say / I don’t care and I won’t obey.” The song was released alongside a new music video directed by Keith J. Leman.
The new music is part of a larger farewell plan announced by Mustaine. In a statement, the Megadeth leader explained his decision to end the band on a high note.
“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… 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… 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 “global farewell tour” is expected to be a massive, multi-year undertaking, with Mustaine suggesting it could last “three to five years.” The band has already announced the first legs of the tour, which includes headline dates across Latin America, European festival appearances, and a major run supporting Iron Maiden in North America.
Megadeth 2026 Farewell Tour Dates:
Latin America
- 04/23 – Lima, PER – Costa 21
- 04/25 – Bogota, COL – Movistar Arena
- 04/27 – Bogota, COL – Movistar Arena
- 04/30 – Buenos Aires, ARG – TBA
- 05/02 – Sao Paulo, BRA – Espaco Unimed
- 05/05 – Santiago, CHL – Movistar Arena
- 05/06 – Santiago, CHL – Movistar Arena
- 05/08 – Monterrey, MEX – Arena Monterrey
- 05/10 – Mexico City, MEX – Arena Ciudad de Mexico
- 05/13 – Guadalajara, MEX – Arena Guadalajara
Europe
- 06/10 – Hradec Kralove, CZE – Rock For People
- 06/14 – Ferrara, ITA – Ferrara Summer Festival
- 06/26 – Helsinki, FIN – Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
North America (Supporting Iron Maiden)
- 08/29 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- 08/30 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- 09/03 – Montréal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau (feat. Anthrax)
- 09/05 – Harrison, NJ – Sports Illustrated Stadium (feat. Anthrax)
- 09/09 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
- 09/11 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
- 09/12 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
- 09/15 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
- 09/19 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
- 09/22 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
- 09/25 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium (feat. Anthrax)
- 09/26 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium (feat. Anthrax)
- 09/29 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome (feat. Anthrax)
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