Megadeth have confirmed that they will include a cover of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” on their self-titled final album, set for release on January 23rd.
The band officially revealed the tracklist on Thursday after teasing it throughout the week, with one hint suggesting that “Ride the Lightning” would be included. The classic track was co-written by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine when he was a member of Metallica before his ouster from the band in 1983, and was included on the 1984 album of the same name.
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“As I come full circle on the career of a lifetime, the decision to include ‘Ride the Lightning,’ a song I co-wrote with James, Lars, and Cliff, was to pay my respects to where my career first started,” explained Mustaine in a press release.
In an Instagram video (see below), Mustaine further said of the cover version, “We sped it up just a little tiny bit, we played around with the solo… You might hear some differences with the tempo, and of course I sing different from James. … It was about completing the circle and about showing what James and I, as guitar players, did to change the world.”
For their final album, Megadeth’s lineup is comprised of Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (guitars), James LoMenzo (bass), and Dirk Verbeuren (drums). The band has already unveiled the lead single, “Tipping Point.”
Megadeth will support their final album with a worldwide farewell tour, thus far announcing a support sting on Iron Maiden’s 2026 North American tour. A Live Nation ticket pre-sale is under way for Live Nation All Access members, while general ticket sales begin Friday, October 31st, at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster.
See the full tracklist for Megadeth’s final album below.
Megadeth Tracklist:
01. Tipping Point
02. I Don’t Care
03. Hey, God?!
04. Let There Be Shred
05. Puppet Parade
06. Another Bad Day
07. Made To Kill
08. Obey the Call
09. I Am War
10. The Last Note
11. Ride the Lightning (Bonus Track — Metallica cover)
Megadeth 2026 North American Tour Dates:
08/29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena ^ [Buy Tickets]
08/29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/03 – Montréal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau * [Buy Tickets]
09/05 – Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium * [Buy Tickets]
09/09 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/11 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/12 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/15 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/17 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival
09/19 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/22 – Chicago, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^ [Buy Tickets]
09/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium * [Buy Tickets]
09/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium * [Buy Tickets]
09/29 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome * [Buy Tickets]
* = w/ Iron Maiden and Anthrax
^ = w/ Iron Maiden
