MEGADETH have good reason to celebrate. The Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum metal titans’ self-titled final studio album—released last week (January 23) to worldwide critical acclaim—has exploded onto the charts at #1 on the Billboard 200 in their native U.S. (highest previous position #2). This debut also marks the band’s 9th Billboard Top 200 album.
The band also claims the top spot in Australia (highest previous position #2) and Austria (highest previous position #8). Other top five spots include #2 in Finland (+ #1 physical), Sweden (+ #1 physical; highest previous position #9), and Belgium (highest previous position: #6); #3 in both the U.K. and Germany (highest previous position: #6); #4 in the Netherlands (highest previous position: #7); and #5 in both Italy (highest previous position: #15) and New Zealand (highest chart position ever). Debuts in additional territories are still being compiled at press time.
“After 40 years of delivering Megadeth music, playing shows around the world, I have nothing but gratitude at this moment. Finding out that our last Megadeth record is also our first #1 only further validates my will to go out on top,” says Dave Mustaine, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. “Thank you to my family, Teemu Mantasaari, James LoMenzo, and Dirk Verbueren, and Chris Rakestraw, all our fans for making this possible, without you Megadeth would not be as successful as we are. I’d also like to thank the people behind the scenes, our management, Danny Nozell, Justis Mustaine, and Steve Ross at CTK, and our label BLKIIBLK/Tradecraft.”
“This recording is a labour of love, and I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. See you on tour soon!” - Dave Mustaine
“Absolutely amazing news! Thank you and congrats to our entire extended Megadeth family!” - Teemu Mäntysaari
“I want to sincerely thank all our friends and fans who grabbed a copy, we’re over the moon!” - James LoMenzo
“It feels unbelievable to sit atop the charts with an album that’s uncompromisingly Megadeth. Huge thanks to all of you who support us- you made this happen! See you on tour!” - Dirk Verbeuren
“This moment represents the culmination of the trust Dave and the Megadeth team placed in our label, BLKIIBLK/Frontiers Label Group, to deliver these results,” says Jeff Stevenson, General Manager, Frontiers Label Group. “As our label and its owner, Serafino Perugino, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, the timing felt right to proudly partner in this next chapter with a band that has shaped music history since its formation in 1983.”
Tom Lipsky, A&R USA, Frontiers Label Group, adds, “This achievement is a testament to the relationship that Dave Mustaine and Megadeth have built with fans over the course of their career.”
“The impact Megadeth has made on music has forever been cemented. And, now with this long overdue #1 all-genre album, the band is going out on top” says Danny Nozell, Megadeth’s manager and Founder/CEO of CTK Enterprises. “I am so proud of Justis Mustaine, Steve Ross, and the entire CTK team, our RESULTS GLOBAL marketing team, SRO PR, and our partners at BLKIIBLK/Frontiers Label Group and The Orchard for bringing this project to life.”
Leading up to the new album (out via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label), MEGADETH—Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—have released four singles: “Puppet Parade,” “Let There Be Shred!”, “I Don’t Care,” and “Tipping Point.” MEGADETH also announced a very special bonus track from the album: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which MUSTAINE co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album.
Up next for MEGADETH, they’ll kick off their farewell tour in North America with a cross-country headlining tour of Canada launching February 15 in Victoria, BC including stops in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa before wrapping March 6 in Quebec City, QC.
Think you know what happens behind the scenes of a major rock star’s press conference? You’re being fed a sanitized, corporate lie by "journalists" who have no business holding a microphone. Neeley and Chris expose a room full of major publication hacks asking questions so mind-numbingly stupid that you’ll wonder how they still have jobs. Is the mainstream media deliberately trying to kill Rock 'N' Roll with fluff, or are they just too lazy to do a five-minute Google search? Hit play to hear the exact moment the "professional" press officially lost the plot. This is from the 10/31/09 episode of THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW.
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0:00 - The 100-Person Garbage Fest Begins
9:14 - The Worst Question in the History of Journalism
17:40 - Rob Zombie’s "Big Announcement" is Total Bullsh*t
19:18 - The Most Embarrassing KISS Army Member Alive
51:53 - Waiting 51 Minutes to Ask About Thanksgiving Dinner
1:01:25 - The Plain ...
The world has officially gone soft, and the music industry is leading the charge into the abyss. Why is a professional publicist pushing a band that sings about "mental fatigue" from working a 9-to-5, and how did society become so pussified that we cancel entire tours because of a weather app? From greedy labels trying to exploit the unreleased tracks of dead legends like John Sykes to Gen Z "fans" attacking young stars for flying private, the entitlement is at an all-time high. Are you ready to hear Neeley and Chris expose the "Soft Life" scammers and the corporate vultures who think you're too stupid to notice the heist?
On This Episode:
– The Pussification of Society: Ghost Cancels Shows for "Possible" Snow
– Raibard: The Most Pathetic "Soft Life" Anthem Ever Recorded
– POSTHUMOUS HEIST: Golden Robot Records vs. The John Sykes Estate
– Bonamassa & Slash: Who Actually Invited Don Lemon to a Blues Show?
– Gen Z Meltdown: Why Fans Hate Success and Private Jets
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Is the rock industry officially being run by "super-fans" with zero education and even less self-respect? Neeley and Chris just received a "bitch slap" from a self-proclaimed "Warrant Queen," and it’s the most embarrassing display of "industry" power we've ever seen. Does this delusional gatekeeper actually have the power to ban the CMS from interviewing Warrant, or is the mainstream media just too scared to show you how desperate these 80s camps have become? You won't believe the "deal" she tried to cut to keep us quiet.
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The “Warrant Queen” Makes Her Entrance
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Defining the “Bitch Slap”
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Analyzing Eric’s “Special” Wine Gimmick
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The Permanent Interview Ban?
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GPA 3.9? Neeley Questions the Education
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Deleting Warrant From the Servers
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Why is everyone still suing Michael Jackson's estate? Neeley and Chris are giving their honest take on the skepticism surrounding the latest legal battle and reviewing the trailer for the upcoming MICHAEL biopic. We're also talking about the tragedy of the woman who fell off the cruise ship and the infuriating new trend of "seat squatting" on planes. Finally, CMS Producer Weezie honors our lost friend, Bob Nalbandian. Share and follow for the metal-fueled truth! Get commercial-free episodes by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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Seriously, how do you keep your music fresh when you're a band with a decades-long history? It's tough! Chris chats with Agnostic Front bassist Mike Gallo about their latest, ECHOES OF ETERNITY. They talk about the killer sound improvements, what it was like working with a legend like DMC for the first time, and the guts it takes to try new things as a legacy act. Don't just listen—hit that share button, follow us, and subscribe to Rumble Premium for more! Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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What’s crazier: Lemmy destroying a multi-million dollar mixing board with a cheeseburger, or King Diamond getting $26,000 a year from his government just for being an artist? Neeley and Chris tackle these wild metal stories! We also review George Lynch's new single, which he released after admitting he totally lied about retiring. Hint: the guys are NOT impressed. Plus, check out the insane guitar talent from a young private school student. Like, follow, and share this video! Get commercial-free episodes and more by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!
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Sick of the Super Bowl halftime turning into a preachy, anti-American social justice circus? Yeah, we are too. While Bad Bunny takes the stage on Sunday, February 8th for that forced "cultural moment" nobody asked for... we're flipping the script and cranking the volume to 11!Join Neeley & Chris LIVE for The Classic Metal Show Halftime Special – a straight-up, uncensored, no-apologies HALF HOUR of pure CMS debauchery!
Raw rock talk!
- Zero filters
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When: Sunday, Feb 8th – Right at halftime (~8:00–8:30 PM Eastern)
Where: LIVE on Rumble (right here!), Locals, Substack, and X (@cmsrocks)
Don't suffer through the virtue-signaling BS. Switch over, grab a cold one, and rock out with the crew that actually gets it. Metal doesn't bow – and neither do we!
The Classic Metal Show Halftime Show – Because real fans deserve ...
