Mustaine Rides the Lightning again in final album

Megadeth has unveiled the tracklist for their self-titled final album, which will feature ten new songs along with a bonus track: a reimagined version of Metallica's classic 'Ride the Lightning'.

This inclusion is deeply symbolic, as Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine co-wrote the original track with James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and the late Cliff Burton during his time in Metallica.

Set for release on January 23, 2026, the album marks the culmination of Mustaine's decades-long career. In a statement, he said including Ride the Lightning was his way of paying homage to the origins of his musical journey.

Mustaine, who played in Metallica from 1981 to 1983, has been the only constant member of Megadeth. In August, he announced that both the album and the 2026 tour will be Megadeth's last, describing the project as "something truly wonderful that will probably never happen again."

The album reflects Mustaine's influence on heavy metal and guitar music, highlighting the revolutionary style he helped create. 

The full tracklist includes songs like 'Tipping Point', 'I Am War', 'Let There Be Shred', cementing Megadeth's legacy as a transformative force in metal music.