Final Chapter: Megadeth's Self-Titled Album to Feature Surprising Metallica Cover
Megadeth's upcoming self-titled album will feature a surprising addition to its tracklist, a new rendition of Metallica's classic song "Ride the Lightning," which Dave Mustaine co-wrote. The band announced that this album will be their final release, and they have been teasing the tracklist on social media. Mustaine explained that including "Ride the Lightning" was a way to show respect to Metallica and close a chapter in his career. The cover version of the song is faster, in a lower key, and sung differently than the original.
Mustaine revealed that the decision to include "Ride the Lightning" was not about rekindling relationships but about paying tribute to James Hetfield and Metallica. The band's version of the song will not be performed live, and Mustaine did not seek approval from Hetfield or Lars Ulrich before recording it. The album, set to release on January 23, will also include original tracks like "Tipping Point," "I Don't Care," and "Hey, God?!" with a total of 13 songs planned for the release.
Mustaine had hinted at a cover song on the album earlier, mentioning that he wrote it but it would be considered a cover. The full tracklist for the album has been revealed, showcasing a mix of original songs and the cover of "Ride the Lightning." The band plans to release two additional songs at a later date after the album's initial release. This final album from Megadeth marks the end of an era for the band, with Mustaine expressing his desire to leave nothing unsaid as he prepares to retire from playing guitar.