MBARGOED UNTIL 4PM GMT FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER
MEGADETH
TODAY RELEASE NEW SINGLE
“LET THERE BE SHRED!”
FROM THEIR
JANUARY 2026
SELF-TITLED ALBUM,
THE BAND’S FINAL STUDIO RELEASE
GROUP PREPARES FOR MULTIPLE JANUARY EVENTS
TO CELEBRATE THE ALBUM’S RELEASE
“On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The heavens rumbled a thunderous command”
— “Let There Be Shred!”
As anticipation continues to build for MEGADETH’s final studio album—out January 23, 2026 via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label—the metal titans have today (December 19) released the latest single and video for “Let There Be Shred!”. The track is a rapid-fire manifesto with jaw-dropping riffs and “a tsunami of sound”, to quote a lyric from the song. Directed by Keith Leman, the video features DAVE participating in a mixed martial arts battle alongside live performance footage that highlights the track’s fretboard ferocity.
“When Megadeth started we said we would be fast and furious…we said so on the flyers we handed out,” DAVE MUSTAINE says. “This song is fast and furious. Know it! It has a very hooky chorus that draws you in and you can’t help but play air guitar and headbang to this one.
“It’s the second video from the new record that we made with Keith [Leman], who also directed ‘I Don’t Care’. It was a blast to make and it’s a tribute to my first Sensei, Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez, and my Professor, Reggie Almieda. Everyone on the set was really stoked to see each of us do our stunts. In the end, we got the balance of shredding and ass kicking just right!”
UPCOMING EVENTS
• MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK — cinematic legacy event
Debuts worldwide Thursday, January 22
Over 1,000 cinemas across 35+ countries
• LET THERE BE SHRED: THE ULTIMATE MEGADETH IMMERSIVE LISTENING EVENT
Saturday, January 17 — La Vergne, TN
• Farewell Tour
North America (Canada)
February 15 — Victoria, BC
March 6 — Quebec City, QC
Leading up to the new album, MEGADETH—Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—have released two tracks: “I Don’t Care” and “Tipping Point”. The band also announced a bonus track: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning”, co-written by MUSTAINE with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich.
Earlier this year, MUSTAINE revealed that the forthcoming album will mark the final studio album from MEGADETH, a band who’ve sold over 50 million records worldwide and received a GRAMMY® Award (with 12 additional nominations). The announcement was shared via his alter ego, Vic Rattlehead.
MEGADETH
Photo credit: Ross Halfin
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE
About Megadeth
MEGADETH are always and forever the point of no return for metal. Founded and fronted by Dave Mustaine, the band has sold 50 million records worldwide, earned a GRAMMY® Award, generated billions of streams, and delivered genre-defining albums including Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, Rust In Peace, and Countdown To Extinction. Their influence spans decades, cultures, and mediums, remaining vital and ferocious into the present day.
