Megadeth

Megadeth helped define American thrash metal through intricate guitar arrangements, fast rhythm sections, dual-lead playing and lyrics that have addressed war, politics, religion, death and personal relationships. Formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine, the band is counted among thrash metal’s “big four” alongside Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica.

The group’s 1985 debut, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, was released through Combat Records and achieved moderate success, drawing the attention of larger labels. Combat subsequently sold Megadeth’s contract to Capitol Records. The major-label follow-up, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, arrived in 1986 and became a major underground metal success. During the late 1980s, substance abuse and internal disputes brought negative publicity, but the band continued to build its audience through records and touring.

Megadeth released a run of platinum-selling albums: So Far, So Good... So What! in 1988, Rust in Peace in 1990, Countdown to Extinction in 1992 and Youthanasia in 1994. Those releases brought wider public recognition and established songs such as “Holy Wars... the Punishment Due” and “Hangar 18” as central parts of the band’s catalog. The group’s visual identity has long included Vic Rattlehead, its mascot, who regularly appears in album artwork and live presentations.

Lineup changes have been a recurring part of Megadeth’s history, with Mustaine the sole consistent member across its 43-year career. Longtime bassist David Ellefson was absent when the band re-formed in 2004 after a temporary 2002 breakup caused by Mustaine’s arm injury. Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine, later settled out of court and returned in 2010 before being fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The current lineup consists of Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.

Megadeth has earned U.S. platinum certifications for five of its seventeen studio albums and received twelve Grammy nominations. The band won its first Grammy in 2017, when “Dystopia” took Best Metal Performance. Beyond recording and touring, Megadeth staged the Gigantour festival several times between July 2005 and August 2013, and launched its first MegaCruise in October 2019. Its most recent and final studio album, Megadeth, was released in 2026 and became the band’s first Billboard 200 number-one album. Mustaine has announced that Megadeth will disband following the supporting tour.