Few rivalries in metal history are as iconic as Megadeth vs. Metallica, and it looks like Dave Mustaine might be closing that chapter in the most poetic way possible.
Megadeth have been slowly revealing the tracklist for their upcoming self-titled final album, set for release on January 23, 2026, and fans are convinced that one of the songs will be a cover of Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning.”
The Clues Behind the Cover
Speaking on Norway’s Stjernepose radio program, Mustaine teased:
“There are 13 new songs for the new album… One of the songs is a cover song, but I actually wrote it, so it’s kind of like a cover, kind of like my song.”
Given Mustaine’s early role in Metallica and his songwriting credits on their 1984 album Ride the Lightning, fans quickly put the pieces together. Before forming Megadeth, Mustaine co-wrote both “Ride the Lightning” and “The Call of Ktulu” — making a Megadeth rendition a fitting full-circle moment.
Adding fuel to the fire, Megadeth revealed 10 official tracks on X this week, while Spotify lists an 11th untitled song — potentially the secret cover.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Mustaine confirmed that this will be Megadeth’s final studio album, and the band plans to embark on a global farewell tour to celebrate the end of an era.
“There’s so many musicians that have come to the end of their career, whether accidental or intentional,” Mustaine said in a statement. “Most of them don’t get to go out on their own terms on top, and that’s where I’m at in my life right now. I’ve travelled the world and made millions of fans — the hardest part is saying goodbye to them.”
“If there was ever a perfect time for us to put out a new album, it’s now. If there was ever a perfect time to tour the world, it’s now. This is also a perfect time to tell you that it’s our last studio album.”
The End of an Era
From the speed-fueled chaos of Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? to the razor-sharp precision of Rust in Peace, Megadeth have remained one of the defining forces of thrash metal. If this final chapter truly ends with Mustaine reclaiming “Ride The Lightning,” it would be a moment of poetic symmetry — a bridge between two of metal’s greatest legacies.
Megadeth’s final self-titled album drops January 23, 2026.
Prepare for one last ride.
