As Megadeth prepares to release its self-titled final album and embark on what’s billed as its farewell tour, frontman Dave Mustaine has opened up about his current relationship with former bandmates James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich — the very musicians he once fought with most fiercely during his early years in Metallica.
In a recent interview, Mustaine described the tone between himself and his ex-Metallica colleagues as one that has “continually evolved”, emphasizing that they are actively working to improve their connection with each passing year.
Reflecting on decades of history — from his dramatic departure from Metallica in 1983 to the decades that followed — Mustaine said his bond with Hetfield and Ulrich has softened and matured. He shared a telling conversation with Hetfield in which they acknowledged how differently they remembered past events, and the need to keep striving for understanding:
“James and I were talking about something, and I said, ‘Well, there’s your version, there’s my version, and then there’s the truth…’ We’re constantly working on improving our relationship, me and James and Lars. I really do love those guys.”
Mustaine described how part of the old tension stemmed from how close they had once been: “That’s why we fought so much — it was that I missed them. And the idea of leaving the band, it was just hard to fathom.”
He also spoke on perspective, especially as he enters a stage of life and career where legacy and connection matter more than conflict:
“You try and put things into perspective as you get a little bit older… I want to make sure that every day counts and that the people that I encounter, that I’m not obnoxious to them if they don’t deserve it.”
Part of the conversation about his relationship with Hetfield and Ulrich came up in the context of Megadeth’s upcoming final album, which features a re-imagined version of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning”. Mustaine explained that including the track wasn’t intended as a cover but as a way of “completing the circle” and showing respect for the music he co-wrote with his former bandmates.
“It was to complete the circle and pay respect to my partners, James and Lars… I believe that James is an exceptional guitar player and that Lars is an exceptional songwriter.”
Mustaine noted that the band’s rendition speeds up the original slightly and beefs up some parts — but at its core, the move was meant as a salute to their shared past rather than a reinterpretation in the usual sense.
Megadeth’s self-titled 17th album is scheduled for release on January 23, 2026, and follows a sequence of singles including “Tipping Point,” “I Don’t Care,” “Let There Be Shred” and the recently dropped “Puppet Parade.”
The band is set to begin a multi-leg farewell tour on February 15 in Victoria, British Columbia, followed by dates across Canada, South America, Europe, and North America throughout the year.
