Timeline

  • Megadeth makes their triumphant return to Latin America for 12 shows, kicking off the tour in Lima, Peru on April 6. Teemu Mäntysaari the new lead guitarist, replacing Kiko Loureiro.

  • Megadeth sets the stage on fire with a two-night livestream extravaganza, broadcasting on Veeps directly from their sold-out shows at Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, 2024

  • Introducing Megadeth Digital. A 5000-piece generative collection featuring Vic Rattlehead. MegadethDigital.io

  • 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.

  • Marty Friedman rejoins Megadeth on stage for the second time in six months at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The guitarist performed four songs with the band: "Trust", "Tornado of Souls", "Symphony of Destruction" and "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due".

  • Megadeth continue their Crush The World Tour as they land in Europe playing a series of headline and festival shows.


    Megadeth performs two special acoustic VIP performances; August 12 in Derby, UK at the Bloodstock festival in the New Blood tent, and a VIP event on August 14 in Stuttgart, Germany.

  • Megadeth performs a special show with The Original Misfits and FEAR on June 24 in Tampa, Florida.

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

  • 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.

  • Megadeth hits the stage for a Sold-Out show and Global Livestream Event, February 27 from the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Special guest Marty Friedman joins the band on stage for the first time in 23 years.

  • Killing Time: Chapter V premieres on YouTube. In this latest installment we continue to follow our anti-hero Vic Rattlehead as he brutally crushes the dark forces of the dead to rescue the imprisoned souls of his wife and son while laying to waste all that stand in his way. youtu.be/pvVJH3dKQBU

  • "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 takes part in digital Ozzfest in the Decentraland Metaverse Music Festival online between November 10 & 13.

  • Life In Hell: Chapter IV, the music video for the song "Life In Hell", taken from the latest album, The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead! is the fourth instalment of the epic multi-part short film revealing the origins of iconic mascot Vic Rattlehead. youtu.be/lW_Xyj1sIBQ

  • The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!: Chapter III, the music video for the title track of the new album is released. The third in the series that follows the saga of a war hero, now fully transformed into Vic Rattlehead. youtu.be/xc_mfqPS2LY

  • Megadeth's 16th studio album The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead! is released.

  • Megadeth joins Five Finger Death Punch for US tour spanning over 30 dates, with additional support from The Hu and Fire From The Gods.

  • Night Stalkers: Chapter II, the music video for the new single "Night Stalkers" (featuring Ice-T), from the upcoming album The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead! premieres. youtu.be/wAqc_zfmML0

  • We'll Be Back: Chapter I, world video premiere, an epic, action-packed short film chronicling the origins of Megadeth mascot, Vic Rattlehead. youtu.be/LkJ5jJuraLQ

  • Megadeth kicks off its UK/European summer festivals tour at Rockstock in Stockport, England and wraps up the 15-date trek at Rock Fest BCN in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.

  • Following the success of the 2021 co-headline North American tour, Metal Tour of the Year returns for its second leg, with Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames.

  • THE METAL TOUR OF THE YEAR was one of the first national amphitheatre tours to hit the road in 2021 and saw Megadeth and Lamb of God hit 29 cities across North America with special guests Trivium and Hatebreed.

  • James LoMenzo, who played as Megadeth's bass player in the mid-2000s, returns to the ranks for The Metal Tour of the Year as the band's new touring bassist.

  • Megadeth and Lamb of God announce a co-headlining tour for August-October 2021 across the US and Canada.


    Megadeth releases a statement announcing David Ellefson's departure from the band.

  • While hosting a Masterclass 'Front Row Live' for fans via Zoom on January 9, 2021, Dave Mustaine first announced the new album's title as The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!, but indicated that the title might be subject to change.

  • Rust In Peace: The Inside Story of the Megadeth Masterpiece is released September 8 via Hachette Books. Co-written with music journalist Joel Selvin, the 208-page book boasts a foreword from Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash and reveals a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic album.

  • Dave Mustaine hosted a livestream of Megadeth‘s 2017 appearance at Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival on megadeth.com, with Dave participating in a live chat as the gig played. In addition to the livestream, a new line of merch was launched, including a pandemic-ready face mask with Vic Rattlehead design.

  • Megadeth joins Five Finger Death Punch on 2020 European Winter Tour with supporting band, Bad Wolves. The tour visited 14 European countries starting on January 20 at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland and ending on February 20 at the Budapest Sportarena in Budapest, Hungary.

  • Dave Mustaine addresses his health during a live performance at The SSE Arena in London, England on January 31. Dave went public with his cancer diagnosis in June of 2019 and underwent treatment for it throughout the year. He was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on base of his tongue and was eventually declared 100% cancer free by his doctor on October 16, 2019.

  • Megadeth embarks on its inaugural voyage aboard the MegaCruise! The cruise departed from Los Angeles, CA on October 13, for five days and nights. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail with amazing artists, attend live concerts under an open sky and visit two ports, San Diego, CA and Ensenada, Mexico.

  • The band announced that all shows scheduled in 2019 (with the exception of the MegaCruise) would be cancelled due to Dave Mustaine being diagnosed with throat cancer.

  • Megadeth enters the studio in Franklin, Tennessee, to begin pre-production of the next album, once again teaming up with Dystopia co-producer, Chris Rakestraw.

  • The World Needs a Hero and The System Has Failed reissued on CD, vinyl and digital platforms.

  • A limited-edition pressing of Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? on dark purple 180-gram vinyl is released.

  • Megadeth performs at JogjaROCKarta festival, Kridosono Stadium in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

  • Two rock & roll legends collide: The World Famous Whisky a Go Go invites Dave Mustaine as head bartender to pour his premium award-winning Megadeth beer, À Tout le Monde.

  • The band plays various summer festivals and one-off shows throughout Europe, as well as joining Judas Priest for a handful of shows on their Firepower tour.



    Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott joins Megadeth on stage on June 24 at Hellfest in Clisson, France to perform the song "Symphony of Destruction".

  • Megadeth marked their 35th anniversary by re-releasing their 1985 debut album Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, dubbed Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! - The Final Kill as a deluxe package containing remastered versions of all songs to Dave Mustaine's intended vision.

  • Megadeth’s video for the track "Lying in State" from the album Dystopia is premiered at RollingStone.com. youtu.be/yFxsnOm2kLg

  • The hugely popular "The Dave Mustaine Show" launched on Gimme Radio. During each segment of the show, Dave showcased the music that had inspired and influenced him as a musician, while also entertaining listeners with his deep knowledge of the genre, years of stories, and more.

  • Megadeth joined Scorpions on a North American tour which kicked off on September 14 in Reading, Pennsylvania. The 16-date trek was dubbed the "Crazy World Tour".

  • Megadeth embark on a headline tour in support of the new album, Dystopia, taking them across the US and Canada with special guests Meshuggah, TesseracT and Lillake.

  • Megadeth takes the Dystopia World Tour to Asia with stops in Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan.

  • The first-ever Megadeth Boot Camp was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the ultimate Megadeth fan. The 3-day event kicked off on Friday, March 10 at Dave Mustaine's private estate in Fallbrook, California.

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

  • 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"

  • Billed as VIC AND THE RATTLEHEADS, Megadeth performed a secret show at Saint Vitus Bar NY, December 12, in Brooklyn, NY.

  • 2016 North American leg of the Dystopia World Tour kicks off in Casper, Wyoming on September 20 and takes the band across the U.S., with special guests Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, Metal Church and Butcher Babies.

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

  • Megadeth takes the Dystopia World Tour to Latin America kicking it off in Quito, Ecuador on July 30 and wrapping it up in Tijuana, Mexico on Sept 4.

  • The video for the new single, "Post American World" is premiered. Dave Mustaine comments: “The filming was an eerie video shoot right from the beginning. Shot in just one day with only our guitars and drums, I knew that this was going to be amazing. This is clearly a “less is more" concept and director Jake Macpherson nailed it!“

  • Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork) joins Megadeth as new drummer replacing temporary drummer, Chris Adler.

  • Dystopia World Tour continues through the U.S., Europe and Middle East.

  • Dystopia with Virtual Reality Goggles featuring 360° performances of "Poisonous
    Shadows", "The Threat Is Real" and "Fatal Illusion" is
    released.

  • "Poisonous Shadows" 360° virtual reality video is released.

  • Megadeth kicks of its 23-date North American leg of Dystopia World Tour.

  • Megadeth's 15th studio album, Dystopia is released; debuts at #1 on Billboard's Hard Music and Rock charts, #2 on Top Album Sales chart, and #3 on Top 200 chart.

  • Megadeth performs at Knotfest Mexico.

     

    The video for "The Threat Is Real" is premiered.

  • Megadeth makes special appearance and performs "Fatal Illusion" at Megadeth Cyber Army fan club convention at the 12 Bar Club in London, England.

  • Megadeth kicks off Dystopia World Tour including dates in China, Japan, Australia, India, Russia, Ireland and U.K.

  • Artwork + track listing for new album Dystopia is revealed. New single "Fatal Illusion" is released.

  • Megadeth's lineup featuring Kiko Loureiro and Chris Adler debuts live at Quebec City Summer Festival.

  • Dave Mustaine receives Metal Hammer's coveted Golden God Award from Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian. The event took place on June 15 at IndigO2 in London, England.

  • Brazilian-born Kiko Loureiro (Angra 1992-2015) joins Megadeth as new lead guitarist, replacing Chris Broderick. Shortly after, the band begins recording their 15th studio album in Nashville, TN.

  • Lamb of God's Chris Adler announced to drum on new Megadeth album.

  • Dave Mustaine featured On VH1 Classic's Rock Icons.

  • Universal Enterprises (UMe) issues the first five platinum-selling Capitol Records Megadeth albums on limited edition picture disc vinyl.

  • Dave Mustaine wins the prestigious 'Metal Guru' award at 10th annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards, held for the first time ever in the U.S. at The Avalon in Hollywood, CA.

  • Previously unreleased video for the song "Back in the Day" from the album The System Has Failed is released.
    youtu.be/hv-ayWDnW5s

  • Megadeth plays summer European festivals wrapping up the tour at Summer Sonic in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.

  • Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! is reissued on 180 gram heavy vinyl via Century Media Records.

  • Megadeth performs to crowd of over 200,000 at Amnesia Rockfest in Montebello, Quebec.

  • Megadeth and Motörhead play a one-night-only show in
    Las Vegas.

     

    Band kicks off an 11-date tour of Latin America.

  • Dave Mustaine performs with San Diego Symphony. The classical special sold-out concert, billed as "Symphony Interrupted", took place at the Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, California. The event saw Dave perform Richard Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" with the orchestra, as well as solos of Vivaldi's concertos from "The Four Seasons", plus Bach's classic "Air".

  • Megadeth plays at MTV Xtreme in Nodia, India and at Westfest in Auckland, New Zealand.

     

    Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases Megadeth Icon compilation album.

  • 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".

  • Megadeth kicks of its 20-date U.S. Super Collider Tour.

  • Megadeth joins Black Sabbath on a 9-date tour of Latin
    America.

     

    David Ellefson's autobiography, My Life With Deth
    is released via Howard Books.

  • Countdown to Extinction: Live is released, a definitive document of the acclaimed, sold-out Countdown to Extinction 20th Anniversary Tour.

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

     

    Band performs acoustic set at VEVO studios in New York City.

  • The video for the title track and first single from the new album, Super Collider is released.

     

    Gigantour 2013 festival kicks off in North America featuring Megadeth, Black Label Society, Device, HELLYEAH, Newsted, and Death Division.

  • Megadeth's 14th studio album, Super Collider is released; debuts at #6 on the Billboard chart.

  • Dave Mustaine's new record label, Tradecraft, distributed by Universal announced.

  • "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)" is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category.

  • Countdown to Extinction 20th Anniversary Edition is released. The band kicks of its 19-date U.S. Countdown to Extinction 20th Anniversary Tour.

  • Megadeth performs one-off shows in Noida, India and Dubai, UAE.

  • Megadeth kicks off the Countdown To Extinction 20th-Anniversary Tour at Royal Center in Bogotá, Colombia and an 11-date trek across Latin America.

  • Megadeth tours Asia taking the band to the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and Singapore.

  • Guitar Center and DirectTV spotlights Megadeth in episode of Guitar Center Sessions.

  • Megadeth kicks off 22-date European festivals tour which includes a one-off show at London's Electric Ballroom.

  • Megadeth kicks off 18-date North American tour including 11 shows co-headlining with Rob Zombie.

  • The lyric video for "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)" is released exclusively on Megadeth's Facebook.

  • Megadeth photography book, Megadeth: Another Time, A Different Place by Bill Hale with foreword by Dave Mustaine is released by VH1 Classis Books.

  • Megadeth's "Public Enemy No. 1" is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category.

     

    Dave Mustaine, Chris Broderick nominated for Revolver Golden Gods award in the "Best Guitarist" category; David Ellefson nominated in the Paul Gray Best Bassist category.

  • Gigantour 2012 festival tour begins in North America featuring Megadeth, Motörhead, Lacuna Coil and Volbeat.

  • 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.

  • Dave Mustaine's New York Times bestselling autobiography Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir, co-written by award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Joe Layden, is now available in paperback with an all new chapter.

  • 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 Life in Metal is released in the U.K.

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

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

  • 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.

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

  • 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 filmed for upcoming DVD release.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

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

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

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

  • Megadeth films a video for the song "Head Crusher" at the Sylmar area in Los Angeles, California. 100 fans/extras were chosen to appear in the clip.

  • 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.

  • Megadeth headlines the first annual Epiphone Revolver Golden Gods Awards on April 7 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA. America's first-ever hard rock and heavy metal music award show. Dave Mustaine is presented with the Golden God Award.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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.

  • Megadeth plays in India for the first time, headlining the Rock In India festival in Bangalore and plays to an estimated 25,000 fans.

  • Megadeth continues the Tour of Duty in Europe and Gigantour UK makes its debut in Norwich on February 17 and finishes up in London on February 24.

  • Gigantour returns to Australia with Static X, DevilDriver, Lacuna Coil and Bring Me the Horizon, taking the festival to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

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

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

  • Megadeth's Tour of Duty, in support of the new album, United Abomination, launches in Europe with summer festivals and headline shows.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

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

  • Dave Mustaine announces his departure from ESP guitars.

  • 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.

  • Gigantour 2006 North America. The second installment of Dave Mustaine's metal festival hits the road. Megadeth headlines with Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smashup.

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

  • Megadeth plays Metalway festivals in Gernika, Spain on July 28 in Jerez and July 29.

  • Megadeth signs with Roadrunner Records. "We are proud to be working with one of the chief architects of modern hard rock and metal: Dave Mustaine," says Roadrunner A&R man Mike Gitter.

  • Megadeth begins recording new album at SARM Hook End Recording Studios in Hook End Manor, a 16th-century Elizabethan house near Checkendon, Oxfordshire, England. The manor was once owned by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

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

    Megadeth headlines the United Arab Emirates Dubai Desert Rock Festival.

  • Megadeth unleashes Arsenal of Megadeth, a comprehensive two-disc DVD collection. A career anthology containing 32 previously unreleased clips, Arsenal of Megadeth chronicles the rise and evolution of the band, providing fans with a heavy metal armory of music videos, interviews, home video shot by Dave Mustaine and hidden tracks.

  • Dave Mustaine announces at a concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that Megadeth would continue on past the 2005 tour. The show is filmed for a live upcoming album/DVD.

  • GIGANTOUR, a traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Dave Mustaine, hits North America for the summer. Megadeth headlines with Dream Theater, Anthrax, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex.

  • Greatest Hits: Back To The Start is released.

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

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

  • The 'Blackmail The Universe' tour launches in North America with Exodus as support. New drummer, Shawn Drover joins the band the week before.

  • The System Has Failed is Megadeth's tenth studio album released September 14, 2004. The album features former Megadeth member Chris Poland (lead guitar), as well as session drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas.

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

  • Seven albums from Megadeth's back catalog are re-mixed and re-mastered, as well as the MD45 record re-sung by Dave Mustaine. The albums feature added bonus tracks, artwork and detailed liner notes.

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

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

  • Dave Mustaine attends the summer NAMM convention in Nashville, TN to unveil his new signature ESP guitars. The ESP DV8 was the first guitar that came out of the endorsement deal between ESP and Mustaine.

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

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

  • Megadeth's compilation album Still Alive...And Well? is released. The album's name is a quote from Dave Mustaine's answer to an interviewer's question: "What do you want written on your tombstone?". The first six tracks are live tracks, recorded at the Web Theatre in Phoenix, AZ. The following six tracks can be found on The World Needs A Hero.

  • Dave Mustaine announces that he was disbanding the band after he suffers a nerve injury in his
    arm that rendered him unable to play guitar.

  • Megadeth's first live album, Rude Awakening is released. Recorded over two consecutive nights in November 2001 at the Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona and at the Web Theater in Phoenix.

  • Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! is completely remixed and remastered with several bonus tracks, and released on February 5, 2002.

  • Megadeth plays last two shows of The World Needs a Hero tour in Tucson, and Phoenix, Arizona on November 16 & 17, filming both shows for a live album and DVD.

  • Megadeth: Behind The Music Extended Version DVD is released, featuring content from VH1's popular program Behind the Music. The DVD features a rich archive of clips, live performances, interview snippets and much more.

  • Megadeth tours North America with Endo and Iced Earth.

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

  • Megadeth's ninth studio album, The World Needs a Hero, is released on May 15, 2001, by Sanctuary Records. The album was marked as a welcome return to Megadeth's more heavy metal roots including fan-favorite tracks such as "Disconnect", "Return to Hangar", and "Dread and the Fugitive Mind".

  • Megadeth embarks on a 12-city 'The World Needs A Hero Record Release Party Tour' in late April. Sponsored by local radio stations, the tour included acoustic performances and listening to the new album for the first time.

  • Megadeth shoots the video for "Moto Psycho", the first single released from the upcoming album, The World Needs a Hero. The video shoot was at an abandoned auto garage and bar on the outskirts of Simi Valley, a quiet suburb about 25 miles northwest of Los Angeles, CA.

  • Dave Mustaine and Al Pitrelli embark on a world press tour promoting the new album.

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

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

  • Megadeth releases Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years, a compilation containing songs from all of the band's previously released albums, in reverse-chronological order. In addition to the new track "Kill the King", "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" was also included, a track recorded for the album The World needs a Hero, then in the production stage.

  • Megadeth leaves Capitol Records.

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

  • The band starts work on its 10th studio album.

  • Al Pitrelli (Savatage) joins Megadeth as lead guitarist while on the Risk tour, replacing Marty Friedman. Pitrelli played his first show with the band at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC, Canada on January 15, 2000.

  • Marty Friedman announces departure from Megadeth. Goes on to play his last show with the band at The Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA on January 14, 2000.

  • Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden on European tour.

  • Megadeth's eighth studio album, Risk, is released on August 31, 1999, the band's last album to be released with Capitol. The first album since 1990 to feature a lineup change, Risk marks the studio debut of drummer Jimmy DeGrasso with the band.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Megadeth takes part in Ozzfest '98.

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

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

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

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

  • Megadeth plays their first all-acoustic show on December 11 at Centro Cultural Recoleta in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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

  • Chaos! Comics release The Cryptic Writings of Megadeth comic books. A mini-series of comics with stories based on Megadeth songs and lyrics, featuring issues 1-4, an all-in-one issue, the Necro Premium Edition, limited to 2000 copies and the Leather Premium Edition, limited to 9,999 copies.

  • 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.

  • Megadeth begins recording new album in Nashville, TN.

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

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

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

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

  • Megadeth releases Hidden Treasures compilation in USA and Japan on July 18, 1995, via Capitol Records. The album features songs that originally appeared on film soundtracks and tribute albums.

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

  • Megadeth initially releases Hidden Treasures compilation in Europe as a bonus disc for a special edition of Youthanasia.

  • Megadeth embarks on Youthanasia worldwide tour with Corrosion of Conformity.

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

  • 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.

  • Megadeth kicks off the Youthanasia tour in South America.

  • 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's "99 Ways to Die" was recorded for the soundtrack to The Beavis and Butt-head Experience, and was released as a single and a music video. The song was nominated in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 1995 Grammy Awards.

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

  • 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.

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

  • Exposure of a Dream home video is released, containing videos including "Go To Hell", and highlights music videos from the album Countdown To Extinction.

  • Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies open for Megadeth's Countdown to Extinction Tour, in Europe/UK and North America respectively.

  • Dave Mustaine covers Democratic National Convention for MTV, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. Dave reported on the DNC to promote MTV’s Rock The Vote campaign: a movement the TV station was using to encourage younger viewers to vote in the then-upcoming presidential election.

  • Megadeth fifth studio album, Countdown to Extinction , is released September 14. The album reached #2 on U.S. Billboard charts, certified double Platinum in 1992, and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category in 1993.

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

  • Dave Mustaine's son Justis is born on February 11.

  • Megadeth performs at the ’91 Foundations Forum in Los Angeles, CA, playing one song, "Go to Hell", and wins awards for "Hangar 18" and "Rust in Peace".

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

  • The North American leg of the 'Clash of the Titans' tour featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and opener Alice in Chains, kicked off at Starplex Amphitheatre in Dallas, TX on May 16 and wrapped up at The Palladium in Hollywood, CA on July 26. Clash of the Titans is considered one of the most successful tours in heavy metal history.

  • Dave Mustaine gets married to Pamela Anne Casselberry.

  • Megadeth releases its first home video on VHS, Rusted Pieces, which contains six of the band's music videos, along with interviews with the band.

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

  • Megadeth plays to 140,000 people at the Rock In Rio II festival on January 23 at Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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

  • Megadeth's fourth studio album, Rust in Peace, is released on September 24, 1990 via Capitol Records. It was the first Megadeth album with guitar player Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza. The album is held in high regard in the metal community as one of the best thrash metal albums of all time.

  • Clash of the Titans tour kicks off on September 22 in Genk, Belgium, featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Suicidal Tendencies. The three-week European leg wrapped up on October 14 at Wembley Arena, London, England.

  • Marty Friedman is hired as Megadeth's lead guitarist, replacing Jeff Young.

  • 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, replacing Chuck Behler.

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

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

    Megadeth opens for Iron Maiden on their 'Seventh Son' tour.

  • Megadeth opens for Dio on North American tour, with guest support band Savatage.

  • Megadeth's third studio album, So Far, So Good... So What!, is released on January 19, 1988, via Capitol Records. The album reached #28 on U.S. Billboard charts and went on to be certified Platinum in 1998.

  • Dave Mustaine produces Sanctuary's debut album Refuge Denied.

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

  • Megadeth’s first tour of UK, Europe and Japan. Kicks off on March 6 at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK and finishes April 6 at Koseinenkin Big Hall, Osaka, Japan.

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

  • 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.

  • Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? is released on September 19 through Capitol Records.

  • In September 1986, Metallica bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a tour bus accident at the age of 24.

  • Megadeth's first professional photo shoot for new promo pics when signed to Capitol Records. Photo taken in the Hollywood Hills, CA.

  • 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”.

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

  • Chris Poland rejoins band.

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

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

  • Megadeth releases Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! June 12, 1985 via Combat Records.

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

  • Megadeth is signed to Combat records.

  • Megadeth plays first show at Ruthie's Inn, Berkeley, CA on February 17, 1984. (Photo taken at soundcheck by Brian Lew). Kerry King plays first five shows as second guitarist before returning to Slayer.

  • Megadeth records 3-song demo with drummer Lee Rauch.

    Lee Rauch is replaced by Gar Samuelson.

  • After a series of unsuccessful vocalist auditions, Dave Mustaine takes on role as Megadeth's lead vocalist.

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

  • Metallica's first album, Kill 'Em All, is released. Dave Mustaine credited for writing four of the songs on the album. "The Four Horsemen" (The Mechanix), "Jump in the Fire", "Phantom Lord", "Metal Militia".

  • Dave Mustaine is let go from Metallica, Kirk Hammett leaves Exodus to replace him.