Megadeth’s most recent album, “The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!” arrived in 2022, three years after Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer. The combination of his illness and the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the delay. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts for hard rock, rock and alternative albums.

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has announced that the long-running metal band’s forthcoming album and 2026 tour will be their last.