On January 23rd, the thrash legends Megadeth release their 17th album via Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint on Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label. Earlier the frontman of the band, Dave Mustaine, announced to the press that it will be the last album in the band’s career. The band will start a farewell tour that will continue from three to five years. Dave Mustaine had conquered throat cancer and radial neuropathy, and he is now suffering from arthritis and Dupuytren’s contracture, a thickening of tissue under the skin that causes the fingers to bend, a “Viking disease” that impedes his ability to play guitar.

The album starts with the single “Tripping Point”, which was released with a video. The storyline is about how Dave Mustaine is in an alien prison where he has been tortured, and at the end, he does escape. The next song, “I Don’t Care”, sounds similar to Alice Cooper songs, and the text and the video are presenting some kind of a rebellious punk teen’s anthem. “Hey God” is a conversation with God and reveals the insecurities of the artist. “Let There Be Shred” shows the karate skills of Dave Mustaine, who has a black belt in Ukidokan Karate (earned under Benny “Jet” Urquidez) and a black belt in Taekwondo. At the age of 64, he recently earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in December 2025 under coach Reggie Almeida at Renzo Gracie TN. The song is followed up by the last single, “Puppet Parade”, the most melodic song in the album. There is not a single weak song in this album. “Another Band Day” and “Made To Kill” are two fast thrash songs. “Obey the Call” is an aggressive song with some oriental rhythms at the beginning, and its melody is in the style of “Rust In Peace”. “I Am War” is the next wonderful melodic thrash metal jam from this album. “The Last Note” starts and ends with a narrative. This is the real end of the album and a farewell to the audience. Metallica’s cover “Ride the Lightning” is the last song. The album is complete without this bonus track, and probably it wasn’t necessary to include it. It sounds in the typical Megadeth style but without the nerve and spirit of the original.

You can listen to the album here:

You can buy the album here.

Megadeth are:
Dave Mustaine (vocals, guitar) 
Dirk Verbeuren (drums) 
James LoMenzo (bass)
Teemu Mäntysaari (guitar)