Megadeth has announced the band\u2019s final album and world tour after entertaining fans for more than 40 years. But as the group says, \u201cDon\u2019t be mad, don\u2019t be sad, be happy for us all,\u201d and get ready to rock out with them during their epic sendoff. <\/p>\n
On Aug. 14, the thrash metal band, founded in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine, uploaded a video to its website<\/a> along with the message \u201cThe End Is Near. It\u2019s Crystal Clear. Part of The Master Plan,\u201d confirming that a final album and farewell tour are on the way. Above the video was a preorder countdown clock that will expire in 42 days. <\/p>\n The words are lyrics from the 1990 song “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.”<\/p>\n A quote from Mustaine, the group\u2019s only remaining founding member, was also included in the announcement on the website. \u201cIt\u2019s our last studio album. We\u2019ve made a lot of friends over the years and I hope to see all of you on our global farewell tour,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The clip begins with multiple news anchors reporting that the \u201cend of times\u201d is near. There are then shots of a massive flood, an erupting volcano and the world ablaze as people are seen fleeing cities in ruins. <\/p>\n Vic Rattlehead, the band\u2019s mascot, appears seated behind a desk with an hourglass and a stack of papers that reads \u201cConfidential 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor over four decades, I\u2019ve been chained in silence,\u201d the skeletal figure says. \u201cBut the end demands my voice. It is confirmed the next Megadeth studio album will be the last.\u201d<\/p>\n He continues, \u201c40 years of metal, forged in steel, ending in fire. And when the new year rises, the global farewell tour. You\u2019ve heard the warning, now prepare yourselves, Cyber Army. Stay loud, stay tuned and meet me on the front lines.\u201d<\/p>\n The clip ends with an illustration of Vic Rattelead, with half his body lit on fire. <\/p>\n The group, which currently consists of Mustaine, Teemu Ma\u0308ntysaari, James Lomenzo and Dirk Verbeuren, did not share more details about the exact release date of the final album or when the tour kicks off. <\/p>\n Megadeth fans expressed their mixed feelings in the comments beneath the message, which was also shared on YouTube<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cMegadeth you will always live on in our hearts. Thank you for everything Dave Mustaine,\u201d one said. <\/p>\n Another wrote, \u201cMake it a blast! One of the only bands i own all the albums to.\u201d<\/p>\n A third commented, \u201cIt hurts my heart to see THE metal band that has got me into metal leave.\u201d <\/p>\n