Dave Mustaine Rerecording Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning” For Megadeth’s Self-Titled Final Album

Megadeth’s upcoming self-titled final album, set for release on January 23, 2026, includes 10 new tracks plus a bonus “reimagined” version of Metallica’s classic, “Ride the Lightning,” which was co-written by Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine during his early years with Metallica. Mustaine, who played with Metallica from 1981 to 1983 before forming Megadeth, says re-recording the song honors the beginning of his career. “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 [Hetfield], Lars [Ulrich], and Cliff [Burton], was to pay my respects to where my career first started,” Mustaine said in a statement. Megadeth’s 17th studio album will be released on Mustaine’s Tradecraft label with Frontiers’ BLKIIBLK imprint, and the band will mark the end of their career with a final tour planned in 2026. (Variety)