Megadeth Kicks Off Production on Upcoming Album

Megadeth Returns to the Studio

Megadeth are back in the studio and working on a new album.

The thrash metal legend’s 17th album will be the follow-up to 2022’s The Sick, The Dying and the Dead! But while frontman Dave Mustaine is already in the studio, his bandmates have yet to join him.

Mustaine’s Updates on the Album Progress

Mustaine shared the update on X/Twitter, writing: “I’m in the studio with Chris Rakestraw right now. And everyone else left. Teemu (Mäntysaari, guitar) is in Switzerland, and James (LoMenzo, bass) and Dirk (Verbeuren, drums) are in Los Angeles. So it’s just me and Chris.”

He continued: “And Chris goes on holiday tomorrow and I’m working until the last second today to get as much done as possible before he leaves because we won’t start again until he’s back somewhere around here. New Year.

“And at this point, it will only be a couple of weeks before everyone gets into the studio. And for that I’m delighted. And you guys will be delighted.”

The news follows another update from Mäntisaari, in which he revealed that he and Mustaine had been working remotely on new music over the holidays.

“So Dave is in the studio in Nashville and I’ve been working from home and now from my family vacation spot,” he explained (according to Metal Injection).

“But I work a little every day. And just today I’ve been working on some custom ideas and (I’m) talking to Dave on the phone every day, having Zoom meetings and exchanging ideas. So, we see progress every day, which is nice.”

Mäntisaari continued: “I am very pleased with the album. We already have so many good ideas. I think it will be great.”

Interesting Tidbits from Mustaine

The upcoming album will mark Mäntisaari’s studio debut with Megadeth after replacing Kiko Loureiro.

In other news, Mustaine revealed last month that he once refused emergency neck surgery because Metallica’s manager insulted him.

“I remember we were supposed to be at Yankee Stadium (in New York) with the Big Four the day they found out I needed to get my neck glued,” Mustaine explained.

“So I’m lying on the ER table and my manager says, ‘Oh, Metallica’s manager called you a pussy because your neck is going to be fused and you’re not going to come here and play instead.’”

Calling the comment “a gutsy thing to do,” Mustaine sat down at the last minute from the surgeon’s table, asked for “steroids and shit,” and went on to play the show. “But from a healing standpoint, it turned out great,” he added.