Rebirth and Maturity

The year 2010 was very significant for Megadeth. With Dave Ellefson back on bass after 8 years, the band not only continued the Endgame tour but also participated in a historic event: the reunion of the "Big Four" of thrash metal on the same stage. In June 2010, Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax performed joint concerts as part of the Sonisphere festival, first in Europe and then in the United States.

Ellefson returns after 8 years

The historic moment in Sofia

The climactic moment came in Sofia (Bulgaria), where all the bands played together the classic "Am I Evil?" by Diamond Head. Seeing Mustaine sharing hugs and stage with his former Metallica bandmates was emotional for fans and symbolic: decades-old grudges seemed to have healed. Mustaine declared that differences were left behind and enjoyed the renewed camaraderie. The Big Four concerts were immortalized on the DVD The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010), adding another documentary milestone to Megadeth's history.

Reconciliation after decades

The four giants together on stage

That same year, Megadeth celebrated the 20th anniversary of Rust in Peace by playing the complete album on a special tour, whose final show in Los Angeles was captured on the CD/DVD Rust in Peace Live (2010). With the Mustaine–Ellefson–Broderick–Drover lineup, the band proved that the classics still sounded powerful after two decades, reviving the magic of their masterpiece before ecstatic audiences.

Celebrating 20 years of the masterpiece

With the lineup stabilized, they released TH1RT3EN (2011), thirteenth studio album titled so partly out of superstition (Mustaine, born on September 13, gave symbolism to the number) and because it included 13 songs. Thirteen combined new tracks with some rescued from previous years (for example "Sudden Death", composed for a Guitar Hero video game). The album was well received: the catchy "Public Enemy No. 1" (Grammy nominated) and "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)" stood out. Megadeth toured intensively in 2011-2012, including their participation as opening act on Iron Maiden's "Maiden England" tour in 2013, showing humility by supporting another metal legend.

The thirteenth album, loaded with symbolism

Public Enemy No. 1 - Grammy nominated

In 2013 came Super Collider, an album where Mustaine sought to expand his sound with hard rock and even country influences in some riffs. It was released under his own Tradecraft label (in alliance with Universal) and had unexpected collaborations, like the legendary country guitarist on a solo. Super Collider polarized fans and critics: some appreciated the experimentation in songs like "Kingmaker", but others missed the aggressiveness. Even so, it debuted in the Billboard Top 10, demonstrating the band's loyal fan base.

Experimentation that divided opinions

Super Collider - Exploring new territories

After the Super Collider tour, another shake-up occurred: in November 2014, guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover simultaneously announced their departure from Megadeth, citing artistic differences and desire to pursue their own projects. In one fell swoop, Mustaine and Ellefson were left alone at the helm of the group (for the second time in history, the first was in 2002). Far from being discouraged, Mustaine saw this as an opportunity for renewal. 2015 brought high-caliber reinforcements: Kiko Loureiro, virtuoso Brazilian guitarist from the band Angra, officially joined Megadeth, bringing his technical mastery and fresh air to composition.

The exodus that changed everything

Kiko Loureiro brings Brazilian virtuosity

Likewise, Mustaine recruited drummer Chris Adler (from Lamb of God) to record the next album –Adler participated as an official guest member, as he continued with Lamb of God in parallel. With this powerful lineup, Megadeth recorded Dystopia (2016). The resulting album was acclaimed as a triumphant return to aggressive and complex thrash. Songs like "The Threat Is Real", "Fatal Illusion" and the title track "Dystopia" showed Mustaine inspired by dystopian themes and devastating riffs, while Kiko Loureiro contributed melodic solos and exquisite arrangements. Dystopia totally revitalized Megadeth's image and received numerous awards. In fact, at the 59th Grammy Awards (2017), Megadeth finally won their first Grammy after 12 previous nominations, taking home the trophy for Best Metal Performance for the song "Dystopia". When Mustaine went on stage to collect the Grammy, the ceremony's house band unusually played Metallica's "Master of Puppets" as background music, to which Dave reacted with humor by air guitaring while smiling. The much-commented moment ironically symbolized Metallica's long shadow in Mustaine's history, but now he finally had a Grammy with Megadeth's name engraved on it.

The ironic moment with Master of Puppets

Finally the Grammy!

The album that brought the Grammy

During the Dystopia world tour (2016-2017), Megadeth incorporated Belgian drummer Dirk Verbeuren (ex Soilwork) to replace Chris Adler, who had to return to his commitments with Lamb of God. Verbeuren became a permanent member in mid-2016, consolidating an extremely technical lineup with Mustaine, Ellefson, Loureiro and Dirk. The band remained very active: they organized the Megacruise (heavy metal themed cruise) in 2019 and entered the studio that year to work on the next album.

Dirk Verbeuren, Belgian precision on drums

The innovative themed cruise

However, new adversities struck: in June 2019, Dave Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer, news that shook the metal community. Megadeth's leader underwent more than 50 sessions of radiation and chemotherapy, facing the disease with the warrior determination that always characterized him. During his treatment, the band went on hiatus and several dates were cancelled, although Mustaine promised fans he would return stronger than ever. Fortunately, in January 2020 Mustaine announced he was "100% cancer free" and ready to return to the stage.

Fighting like a warrior against cancer

Despite these obstacles, Mustaine persevered and managed to finish Megadeth's sixteenth studio album. Finally, in September 2022, metalheads could listen to The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!, Megadeth's first album in six years. The album addresses dark themes (plagues, war, corruption) very much in line with recent pandemic times. Musically it combines the virtuosity of Loureiro and Verbeuren with Mustaine's unmistakable aggression. Standout tracks include "We'll Be Back", "Night Stalkers" (with a cameo by rapper Ice-T) and "Soldier On!". The Sick, the Dying... received positive reviews and proved that, at almost 60 years old, Mustaine was still "enjoying his work" and sounding revitalized. The album debuted in the Billboard 200 Top 5, standing as another late commercial success for the band. Additionally, the single "We'll Be Back" was nominated for the 2023 Grammy for Best Metal Song, maintaining Megadeth's presence in awards.

The return after 6 years

We'll Be Back - Grammy 2023 nominated

During 2022 and 2023, Megadeth went on tour under the motto "Crush the World", taking their show to North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. During this period some notable events occurred for old school fans: in February 2023, during a concert at the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, Marty Friedman –the former guitarist from the golden era– joined as a surprise guest to play several classics after 23 years of absence. The emotional reunion with Friedman was repeated in August 2023 at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany, where Marty again played alongside Megadeth on four songs (including "Holy Wars" and "Trust") to a massive ovation. These appearances fueled hopes of some fans about a possible more extensive collaboration, but Friedman made it clear that they were special and friendly participations.

Historic reunion at Budokan after 23 years

Wacken Open Air - Massive ovation

On the other hand, guitarist Kiko Loureiro announced in September 2023 that he could not continue Megadeth's tours for the moment, as he needed to dedicate time to his family (he had just had twins). Initially it was communicated that it would be a temporary absence, with Finn Teemu Mäntysaari (from Wintersun) covering his position in concerts; however, in November 2023 Kiko confirmed that he was indefinitely extending his absence and leaving his position vacant in a friendly manner. In August 2024, Mustaine made it official that Loureiro was effectively leaving Megadeth on good terms to focus on personal projects, and at the same time announced Teemu Mäntysaari as an official member and new lead guitarist of the band. With this, Megadeth incorporated young blood into their ranks once again, preparing the ground for what would be their final stage.

Kiko says goodbye to dedicate himself to family

Teemu Mäntysaari, young blood for the end