Dave Mustaine has revealed the hopeful release date for Megadeth’s highly anticipated new album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! According to the thrash legend, after pushing back the album multiple times, Megadeth hope to release their 16th studio album on July 8.
“I’m sure it could possibly be scooted forward a little bit, but I think that would actually be worse than if it stayed where it was at,” Mustaine told Loudwire in an exclusive interview. “We need every little bit of time to let people get everything all set up with all this COVID shit. It’s been really difficult to ship anything, let alone records.”
Mustaine also delved into some of the subject matter that inspired him for The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! The track “The Dogs of Chernobyl” ties into the album title’s reference to nuclear apocalypse and radiation while telling the tragic story of the pets who were left behind after Chernobyl was evacuated. Mustaine also calls the song one of the heaviest on the new album.
Dave also discussed how his successful fight against cancer affected his mentality toward playing live. “I feel, right now, healthier than I’ve felt since I was diagnosed,” Mustaine says. “I think my singing has improved and I think that’s gonna get way better too because I want it now. Before, I felt like I deserved it. Now, whether I deserve it or not, I fucking want it. I want to play, I want to go out and shred on my guitar and people go, ‘I can’t believe that he’s alive and doing that.’”
Mustaine also talks about the upcoming Metal Tour of the Year with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames, along with why a diverse bill is essential for a killer tour and why mutual respect between bands is key. Watch our exclusive chat with Mustaine below.
April 09 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ Michelob Ultra Arena April 10 - Tucson, Ariz. @ Tucson Arena April 12 - Colorado Springs, Colo. @ Broadmoor World Arena April 14 - Corpus Christi, Texas @ American Bank Center Arena April 15 - Lafayette, La. @ Lafayette Cajundome April 16 - Brandon, Miss. @ Brandon Amphitheater April 19 - Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Van Andel Arena April 21 - Fort Wayne, Ind. @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum April 22 - Green Bay, Wis. @ Resch Center April 24 - Sioux Falls, S.D. @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center April 26 - Omaha, Neb. @ Baxter Arena April 27 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse April 29 - Kansas City, Mo. T-Mobile Center April 30 - Tulsa, Okla. @ BOK Center * No Trivium May 03 - North Charleston, S.C. @ North Charleston Coliseum May 04 - Greenville, S.C. @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena May 06 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena May 07 - Peoria, Ill. @ Peoria Civic Center May 09 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Petersen Events Center May 10 - Rochester, N.Y. @ Blue Cross Arena May 12 - Portland, Maine @ Cross Insurance Arena May 13 - Uncasville, Ct. @ Mohegan Sun Arena May 15 - Allentown, Pa. @ PPL Center