TIMELINE

  • Megadeth brought their Crush The World Tour to North America to play a series of headline dates along with some festivals during the month of September and into October. Kiko Loureiro sat out these shows while Teemu Mäntysaari covered the lead guitar role.

  • Megadeth continue their Crush The World Tour as they land in Europe. The band plays a series of headline and festival shows throughout Europe. Marty Friedman joined Megadeth on stage at Wacken on August 2 and performed Trust, Tornado of Souls, Symphony of Destruction and Holy Wars. In addition Megadeth performed two special acoustic VIP performances, one on August 12 in Derby, UK at the Bloodstock festival in the New Blood tent, and a second acoustic VIP event on August 14 in Stuttgart, Germany.

  • Megadeth's Crush The World Tour hits the road taking it across Canada from coast to coast for 13 dates, with support from Bullet For My Valentine and ONI.

  • Kramer and Epiphone welcome Gibson Brand Ambassador, Dave Mustaine to the Kramer and Epiphone Artist lineup with new Limited Edition signature guitars.

  • "We'll Be Back" from the album, The Sick, The Dying...And The Dead! is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category.

  • Megadeth wins their first Grammy Award for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category at the 59th annual Grammy Awards.

  • Megadeth wins a CLIO Awards Silver medal for the Dystopia Virtual Reality Experience.

  • Dave Mustaine receives Lifetime Achievement award at the Revolver Music Awards.

    Megadeth appears on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', performing "Dystopia" and "Tornado of Souls"

  • Megadeth places third in Loudwire's "10 Best Thrash Metal Bands of All Time"

  • Megadeth appear on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' debuting their new holiday disc Thrashing Through the Snow: A Very Megadeth Christmas in a funny holiday skit, including a duet with indie rocker Jenny Lewis on the 1944 holiday classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

  • 'The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria' DVD and Blu-ray is certified multi-platinum in the U.S.

  • Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, "The Big 4" were presented with a double platinum award for the two-disc DVD version of The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria at the first ever "Big 4" show in the US at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA.

  • The paperback edition of Dave Mustaine's autobiography, "MUSTAINE: A LIFE IN METAL" is released in the U.K.

  • The BIG FOUR play six dates across U.K. and Europe.

    Megadeth joins the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Disturbed, Godsmack, Machine Head, In Flames and Trivium for U.S. summer tour.

    Megadeth's platinum-certified, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? is released in a commemorative 25th Anniversary deluxe 5Disc+3LP box set.

  • The paperback edition of Dave Mustaine's autobiography, "Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir" is released in the U.S.

  • The new single, "Public Enemy No. 1" from Megadeth's forthcoming album TH1RT3EN is available for streaming at Megadeth.com.

    The "Big Four" play their second-ever U.S. show at the new Yankee Stadium in New York City.

  • Original bassist David Ellefson returns to Megadeth, replacing James LoMenzo.

    Megadeth shoot a video for "The Right to Go Insane," the second single from the Endgame album.

  • The 20th anniversary of the Rust In Peace album is celebrated with a U.S. tour featuring openers Testament and Exodus. Final show in Hollywood is filed for upcoming DVD release.

  • The Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Tour continues in South and Central America.

  • Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax - the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal, play together
    for the first time in Warsaw, Poland and continue to share the stage in Europe throughout the month.

    The "Big Four" show from Sofia, Bulgaria is filmed for upcoming DVD release and is shown in
    theaters around the world.

  • Dave Mustaine's autobiography Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir is released in North America. Book tour coincides with first leg of American Carnage tour.

    20 years after the original Clash of the Titans tour, Megadeth tours again with Slayer and Testament for the American Carnage tour.

  • Megadeth continues to tour with Slayer and special guests Anthrax on the Jagermeister tour.

  • Megadeth's "Sudden Death" is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category.

    Megadeth headlines six festival shows in New Zealand and Australia as part of the No Sleep Til festival tour.

  • Megadeth continues the recording of their 12th studio album with Andy Sneap returning as producer.

  • Megadeth joins Testament as openers for Judas Priest on the Priest Feast European tour.

  • Megadeth headlines the Epiphone Revolver Golden Gods Awards, where Dave is presented with the Golden God Award.

  • Megadeth and Slayer team up for Canadian Carnage, a mini-tour of Western Canada.

    "Head Crusher", the first single from Megadeth's new album, is released. The song is debuted live on the Canadian Carnage tour.

  • The video for "Head Crusher" is shot in Los Angeles, CA.

  • Megadeth's 12th studio album, Endgame is released, debuts at #9 on the Billboard chart.

  • Megadeth kicks off the Endgame Tour in Australia and New Zealand co-headlining with Slayer.

  • Endgame Tour continues in the U.S. Megadeth headlines with Machine Head, Suicide Silence, Arcanium and Warbringer.

  • Megadeth's "Head Crusher" is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category.

  • Megadeth continues the Tour of Duty in Europe and kicks off Gigantour 2008 in the U.K. with Job For A Cowboy and Evile.

  • Megadeth plays India for the first time, headlining the Rock in India festival.

  • Gigantour 2 is released on CD and DVD, highlighting the 2006 tour.

    Gigantour 2008 begins in North America. Megadeth headlines with In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy and High On Fire.

  • Tour of Duty continues in South America with shows in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and ending in Mexico in June.

  • Dave Mustaine has new recording studio Vic's Garage built in Southern California to record the next Megadeth album.

    Megadeth performs live at the Mixed Martial Arts event, Affliction Banned.

  • Megadeth Greatest Hits double disc Anthology: Set The World Afire is released.

  • Dave Mustaine signs with Dean Guitars, debuts his new VMNT guitar at the NAMM Convention.

  • Megadeth opens for a reunited Black Sabbath (Heaven And Hell) on their Canadian tour.

    That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires, filmed in Buenos Aires, is released on DVD. The 2CD set follows in October.

  • The Heaven and Hell tour continues in the U.S.

  • Megadeth's 11th studio album, United Abominations, featurng the singles/videos "A Tout Le Monde" (featuring Christina Scabbia) and "Never Walk Alone" is released, debuts at #8 on U.S. charts.

  • Megadeth's Tour of Duty begins in Europe with summer festivals and headline shows.

  • Tour of Duty continues in the U.S. and Pacific Rim.

  • Megadeth release Warchest, a 4CD/1DVD career-spanning box set.

  • 'Gigantour 2007' kicks off in Australia with Static X, Devildriver, Lacuna Coil and Bring Me the Horizon.

  • The two-disc DVD anthology Arsenal of Megadeth is released.

    James LoMenzo (Black Label Society) replaces James MacDonough on bass.

    Megadeth headlines the United Arab Emirates' Dubai Desert Rock Festival.

  • Megadeth begins recording a new album at SARM recording studios in England.

  • Megadeth signs with Roadrunner Records.

  • Megadeth plays Spain's Metalway Festival in Gernika and Jerez

  • Gigantour's inaugural festival tour is released on 2-CD and 2-DVD sets.

  • 'Gigantour 2006' begins in North America. Megadeth headlines with Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and the Smashup.

  • Megadeth tours Japan and continues Gigantour in Australia with Soulfly, Arch Enemy and Caliban.

    Halloween, Megadeth takes part in launching the 'Gears Of War' XBOX 360 game with a mini-concert at Six Flags theme park in Springfield, MA.

  • Dave Mustaine announces his departure from ESP guitars.

  • Dave Mustaine is ranked #1 by Joel McIver in his 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists' book.

  • Megadeth continue its Blackmail The Universe tour worldwide with
    Diamond Head and Dungeon opening.

  • Greatest Hits: Back To The Start is released.

    More worldwide shows and European festivals; Megadeth plays Iceland, Romania and Bulgaria for the first time.

  • Gigantour 1 hits North America all summer. Megadeth headlines with
    Dream Theater, Anthrax, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex

  • Dave Mustaine announces his decision to keep Megadeth together at a concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The show is filmed for a live album/DVD.

  • Dave Mustaine makes an announcement about his good health, the future of Megadeth and upcoming releases.

  • Megadeth's back catalog is re-mixed and re-mastered with bonus tracks!

  • The new touring lineup is announced: Glen Drover (King Diamond/Eidelon) and James MacDonough (Iced Earth).

  • September 15, 2004. A new Megadeth album is recorded with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Jimmy Sloas and guest soloist Chris Poland. “The System Has Failed” is
    released.

  • The “Blackmail The Universe” tour beings in North America with Exodus opening. New drummer Shawn Drover joins the band the week before.

  • Dave Mustaine announces his departure as an endorsee for Jackson Guitars

  • Mustaine performs four Megadeth songs acoustically at a benefit for John Calleo

  • Mustaine attends the summer NAMM convention in Nashville to unveil his new signature ESP guitars.

  • Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying? is released as an audio DVD
    presented in Dolby 5.1 surround.

  • Killing Is My Business ...And Business Is Good! is re-mixed, re-mastered, and released

  • The double live album Rude Awakening is released.

  • Megadeth disbands after Dave Mustaine suffers a nerve injury in his
    arm, leaving him unable to play guitar.

  • Still Alive..And Well? is released.

  • Dave Mustaine and Al Pitrelli begin a world press tour for the new album

  • Megadeth shoots the video for Moto Psycho

  • April/May, Megadeth begins a short U.S. acoustic tour sponsored by local radio stations.

  • The World Needs A Hero is released by Sanctuary.

  • Megadeth spends the summer on a world tour playing festivals, opening for AC/DC

  • Megadeth tours North America with Endo and Iced Earth.

  • Megadeth’s VH1 Behind The Music special is released on DVD.

  • Megadeth plays last two shows of TWNAH tour in Arizona, films
    both for a live album and DVD.

  • January, Al Pitrelli joins Megadeth mid-tour.

  • The band starts work on it's 10th release.

  • Megadeth play the Maximum Rock festival with Anthrax and Motley
    Crue.

  • Megadeth leaves Capitol Records

  • Megadeth releases Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years.

  • Megadeth signs with Sanctuary Records. The band returns to the studio in LA to finish recording their new album.

  • New Year’s Eve, Megadeth closes out the millennium in Anchorage, Alaska, broadcasts the concert on their website

  • Megadeth enters the studio with producer Dann Huff in Nashville to
    record their follow up to Cryptic Writings.

  • Megadeth spends the summer playing festivals, including Woodstock ‘99.

  • Megadeth covers “Never Say Die” for Nativity In Black II: Tribute To
    Black Sabbath

  • "Crush 'Em" is released on the Universal Soldier 2 Soundtrack and eventually makes its way into NHL arenas and WCW.

  • Risk is released on August 31, 1999.

  • Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden on European tour

  • Marty Friedman announces departure from Megadeth

  • January 28, Dave Mustaine's daughter Electra is born.

    “Trust” nominated for a Grammy
    Megadeth performs on The Howard Stern Show

  • July, Megadeth takes part in Ozzfest '98.

    July, Nick Menza and Megadeth part ways, Jimmy DeGrasso is hired as Megadeth's new drummer.

  • October 23, David Ellefson's daughter Athena is born.

  • New Year’s Eve, Megadeth opens for Black Sabbath along with Soulfly, Slayer and Pantera.

  • Megadeth releases Cryptic Writings. The first 500,000 copies in the U.S. were released with silver background album cover.

    The Misfits open for Megadeth on summer U.S. tour.

  • Chaos Comics release The Cryptic Writings of Megadeth comic books.

  • Remix of Megadeth's "Almost Honest" included on Mortal Kombat
    Annihilation Soundtrack

  • Megadeth plays their first all-acoustic show in South America.

  • “Paranoid” nominated for a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance
    category

  • David Ellefson's son, Roman Alexander, is born.

  • Dave Mustaine collaborates with Lee Ving of FEAR on MD.45, The Craving.

  • Megadeth begins recording new album in Nashville, TN

  • Megadeth's "Diadems" featured on Tales from the Crypt Presents:
    Demon Knight Soundtrack.

  • "Youthanasia" worldwide tour with Corrosion of Conformity.

  • Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in Europe.

  • Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia video is released. A documentary about the making of Youthanasia. Includes interviews, and extensive footage of the band working and jamming at their studio near Phoenix, Arizona.

  • July, Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in USA and Japan.

    July to August, "Reckoning Day" tour with Flotsam and Jetsam, Korn and Fear Factory.

  • Megadeth plays “Monsters Of Rock” festival in South America with
    Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper.

  • Megadeth covers "Paranoid" for Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black
    Sabbath.

    Halloween, Megadeth releases Youthanasia, plays on MTV's Night of the Living Megadeth.

    Halloween, the new website Megadeth Arizona is launched.

  • Megadeth kicks off the Youthanasia tour in South America.

  • Megadeth tours the USA with Stone Temple Pilots. The tour is
    cancelled along with Japanese dates in May.

  • Dave Mustaine makes a guest appearance on Diamond Head's Death and Progress album. Megadeth plays Milton Keynes Bowl with Diamond Head and Metallica.

    Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden and Metallica on their European Tour.

    Megadeth's "Angry Again" featured on Last Action Hero soundtrack.

  • Aerosmith kicks Megadeth off their American "Get A Grip" tour after 7
    dates, Jackyl takes their place.

  • Megadeth's "99 Ways to Die" featured on The Beavis and Butthead Experience Soundtrack.

  • Dave Mustaine's son Justis is born.

  • Megadeth's "Breakpoint" featured on Super Mario Bros. Soundtrack.

  • Megadeth releases Countdown to Extinction.

    Dave Mustaine covers Democratic National Convention for MTV.

  • Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies open for Megadeth's "Countdown to Extinction" Tour.

  • Exposure of a Dream home video is released.

  • Megadeth plays to 140,000 people at the Rock In Rio II festival in Brazil.

  • Megadeth’s world tour beings, with The Almighty and Alice In Chains
    opening.

  • Dave Mustaine gets married to Pamela Anne Casselberry.
    Rusted Pieces home video is released.

  • U.S. "Clash of the Titans" tour featuring Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth and opener Alice in Chains

  • Megadeth's "Go to Hell" featured on Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Soundtrack.

  • Megadeth performs at the ’91 Foundations Forum, wins awards
    for Hangar 18 and Rust In Peace

  • Marty Friedman is hired as Megadeth's lead guitarist.

  • Megadeth joins Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Testament for
    "Clash of the Titans" world tour

  • Megadeth releases Rust in Peace.
    Megadeth opens for Judas Priest in support of their new album Painkiller

  • Megadeth covers Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" for Wes Craven's Shocker Soundtrack, their only song recorded as a three-piece band.

    Mustaine is arrested for impaired driving, forced to clean up in 12-step program.

  • Nick Menza is hired as Megadeth's new drummer.

  • Megadeth opens for Dio on North American tour.

    Dave Mustaine produces Sanctuary's debut album Refuge Denied.

  • Megadeth releases So Far, So Good... So What!

  • June, Megadeth featured in acclaimed documentary, Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years.

    June, Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden on their “Seventh Son” tour

  • Megadeth plays “Monsters of Rock” festival at Castle Donnington along with KISS, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, David Lee Roth
    Megadeth drops off the “Monsters of Rock” tour after one show. Jeff
    Young and Chuck Behler are fired soon after.

  • Dave and David appear on Malice’s License To Kill album.

    Megadeth re-record “These Boots” for the Dudes soundtrack.

    Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson are fired after last show of tour in Hawaii

    Gar’s drum tech Chuck Behler is hired as Megadeth's new drummer.

    Jay Reynolds of Malice leads Megadeth to their new guitarist, Jeff Young.

  • Megadeth opens for Alice Cooper's "Constrictor" tour.

  • Megadeth’s first world tour begins in the UK

  • Megadeth tours the U.S. with Overkill and Necros.

  • Capitol Records signs Megadeth, gets rights to Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? from Combat.

    Megadeth opens for King Diamond and Motorhead in the U.S.

    Megadeth shoots first video, “Peace Sells”

  • Cliff Burton dies in bus accident

  • Megadeth releases Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

  • Megadeth releases Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

  • Megadeth tours the U.S. and Canada with Exciter, Mike Albert takes
    over for Chris Poland.

  • Chris Poland rejoins band.

    Megadeth begins recording new album, Peace Sells... But Who's
    Buying? for Combat Records

  • Megadeth plays New Year’s Eve show in San Francisco with
    Metallica, Exodus and Metal Church.

  • Megadeth record 3-song demo with drummer Lee Raush.

    Kerry King assists Megadeth at live shows and then returns to Slayer.

    Lee Raush is replaced by Gar Samuelson.

  • Megadeth is signed to Combat records.

  • Chris Poland is hired as the new guitarist Megadeth plays its first New York shows with Slayer.

  • Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, is released.

  • Dave Mustaine is fired from Metallica, Kirk Hammet leaves Exodus to
    replace him.

    Mustaine forms new band Fallen Angels.

  • Dave meets bassist David Ellefson, forms Megadeth with guitarist Greg Handevidt and drummer Dijon Carruthers.

  • December 31st, Mustaine becomes Megadeth's singer.