“CAN’T WAIT.” Dave Mustaine has ignited metal fandom by announcing a blockbuster 2026 tour bringing Megadeth and Metallica back onto the same bill, a long-rumored reunion that turns old history into headline-making momentum — with insiders teasing massive venues, career-spanning setlists, and a rare chance to see two thrash titans share the road again in what’s shaping up to be one of the loudest, most talked-about tours of the decade.

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Dave Mustaine says Megadeth needs to tour with Metallica before his band calls it quits.

Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield recruited Dave Mustaine as Metallica’s lead guitarist in late 1981, however he was fired from the band in early 1983 due to his erratic behaviour.

Megadeth hit the road with Metallica plus fellow thrash metallers Slayer and Anthrax on The Big Four Tour in 2010 and 2011, however Mustaine has repeatedly critiqued his former bandmates.

Back in 2023, for example, Mustaine told Planet Rock that Metallica “went out of their way” to prevent Megadeth “from being successful” in the band’s early days.

Megadeth’s 17th and final studio album ‘Megadeth’ is unleashed to the world this Friday (23rd January) and it closes with a cover of Metallica’s ‘Ride the Lightning’, a song Mustaine co-wrote.

Speaking about his decision to end his swansong album with a Metallica track, Mustaine told Revolver: “I wasn’t trying to do anything disrespectful, that much I can tell you. You know, I really respect James (Hetfield’s) guitar playing. And I think that Lars (Ulrich) is a tremendous songwriter.

“I really did enjoy my time with them, that’s why I had such a hard time when it ended. And this is me closing the circle, paying my respects.”

When asked if he wished he still had a friendship with Metallica, Mustaine responded: “You know, I liked them. If the friendship was restarted, it wouldn’t bother me. I would accept, and I think it would be nice to revisit some of those times. But I just think because there was a lot of hurt and misunderstanding around our time together that it would be difficult not to keep bringing up the past.

“I think what needs to happen is there needs to be a Megadeth/Me­tallica tour. Period. That would, I’m sure, make everything right. We could hang out. Spend time together. But I know they don’t really tour like we do. I mean, when we go out on tour, we play many, many shows.”

Last Saturday (17th January), ‘Megadeth Day’ was officially proclaimed in La Vergne in Ruthford County, Tennessee. Megadeth recorded their final record in the city.

Megadeth will embark on a farewell tour following the release of the album, which Dave Mustaine admits might last “three to five years”.

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