Formed in 1983 by guitarist and frontman Dave Mustaine, Megadeth rose from the ashes of Mustaine’s departure from Metallica and quickly became one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. With landmark albums like Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? and Rust in Peace, the band cemented a legacy built on blistering guitar work, politically charged lyricism, and unmatched intensity.

Released on January 23, 2026, their final studio album has been met with huge support from fans worldwide, with dedicated streaming and purchase campaigns pushing it close to the top of the domestic charts. Online chatter among fans highlighted how closely the band was locking in with rival artists for the No. 1 position during the final hours of counting.

The release could potentially deliver the band their first-ever No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, a remarkable achievement for a group that has spent more than four decades shaping the sound of modern metal.

Now, as they prepare to step away from studio albums, this final release feels less like just another record and more like a closing statement; a last roar from one of metal’s most prominent voices. Whether it reaches No. 1 or not, this moment already feels like a victory lap. After years of telling the world that “peace sells… but who’s buying?” and warning us that “the system has failed,” Megadeth now stand at the edge of their final chapter with the same fire that built their legacy.