⚡(by The Riff Report)
Hey, did you know Dave Mustaine was in Metallica once?
Hey, did you know Dave Mustaine was in Metallica once?
Hey, did you know Dave Mustaine was in Metallica once?
Hey, did you know Dave Mustaine was in Metallica once?
Hey, did you know Dave Mustaine was in Metallica once?
Just making sure we’re all caught up, because apparently it’s still the most important piece of metal trivia on the planet. 😏
But this time… oh, this time it actually matters. Because Megadeth have just revealed the official tracklist for their final album, and tucked neatly in there, right between a barrage of riffs and rage, is a Metallica cover. Yep — Mustaine’s finally gone full circle. Grab your popcorn and prepare for the thrash world to combust. 🔥
🧨 “ENDGAME… FOR REAL THIS TIME”
According to Mustaine, this is the last Megadeth record — the grand finale of nearly 40 years of speed, spite, and skull-cracking solos.
The album’s rumoured to be titled The Sick, The Dying… and The Done, which is about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face, but perfectly Megadeth.
Here’s the official tracklist:
- Symphony of Destruction (Recharged)
- Killing Time (Redux)
- No More Mr. Nice Dave
- The Conquer or Die Suite
- Metal Militia (Metallica cover) 🤘
- Countdown to Extinction Pt. II
- Rust in Peace (Reprise)
- The Legacy
- So Far, So Final… So What?
- Endgame (Epilogue)
⚔️ “METAL MILITIA”? REALLY, DAVE?
Of all the Metallica songs Mustaine could’ve chosen — “Ride the Lightning”? “The Four Horsemen”? Maybe even “Leper Messiah” for the drama? — he’s gone right for “Metal Militia,” one of the earliest tracks he helped co-write before being kicked out of the band in ’83.
Talk about poetic payback. 😎
Sources close to the band (aka one bloke on Reddit with a Megadeth tattoo) claim Mustaine insisted on recording it “the way it should’ve sounded” — complete with razor-wire guitar tones and a middle finger aimed squarely westward toward San Francisco.
🪓 MUSTAINE VS. METALLICA: ROUND 58
Let’s be honest — the feud between Dave Mustaine and Metallica is like a soap opera with guitars.
Since being booted out for “creative differences” (read: too much whiskey and attitude), Mustaine went and built his own empire with Megadeth — faster, nastier, and more technical than Metallica ever dared to be.
Over the decades, both camps have taken their shots:
- Mustaine calling Metallica “his ex-band” in every interview.
- Lars Ulrich saying “we’re all good now” (every six months).
- James Hetfield pretending not to care… while caring deeply.
And now?
This cover feels less like an olive branch and more like Dave’s victory lap. 🏁
🧠 THE LYRICAL THEMES: WAR, APOCALYPSE, AND ONE FINAL SCREAM
If the leaks are to be believed, the final Megadeth record leans heavily on themes of closure, mortality, and revenge — all wrapped in the usual maelstrom of shredding and snarling vocals.
Rumours suggest a 10-minute closer called Endgame (Epilogue) features layered solos from both Kiko Loureiro and guest appearances from Marty Friedman, making this a true all-star Megadeth farewell.
Mustaine himself reportedly said:
“It’s not goodbye. It’s a sonic middle finger to the world that tried to count me out.”
Classic Dave.
🧨 FAN REACTIONS: CHAOS, MEMES, AND HEADBANGING
The internet, predictably, exploded faster than one of Mustaine’s solos:
💬 “If he covers Metallica, the prophecy is complete.”
💬 “This man is going to release ‘Metal Militia’ just to prove he wrote the good parts.”
💬 “Plot twist: Lars sues him for playing it too well.”
Meanwhile, Metallica fans are nervously polishing their vinyls, and Megadeth fans are booking therapy.
⚡ THE END OF AN ERA
Love him or loathe him, Dave Mustaine changed metal forever. From Peace Sells to Rust in Peace, his riffs built an empire that’s still shaking stadiums today.
If this really is the end of Megadeth, then going out with a Metallica cover feels like the perfect mic drop — one final, snarling reminder that the ginger godfather of thrash never forgot, never forgave, and sure as hell never slowed down.
So, here’s to Mustaine. 🍻
Still bitter. Still brilliant. Still metal as hell.
🤘 Written by The Riff Report – loud, proud, and powered by riffs, banter, and bad decisions.
🏴 Follow us for more rock chaos at staging.theriffreport.co.uk/
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
Comments