Megadeth has been in the studio wrapping up their new record, which we're all really hoping to hear in 2021. Though it really depends on if they're able to do a full-scale tour behind the record.
According to bassist David Ellefson in an interview with TotalRock Radio, the album's release might be delayed until the band can properly tour. Or as Ellefson puts it, "It doesn't make sense to drop a brand new record in the middle of a pandemic."
"We're working on album number sixteen, and just finishing it up now. We've got a big year of touring lined up — festivals in Europe; the big 'The Metal Tour Of The Year' is rescheduled for July and August this year; Rock In Rio in Brazil in September. And it's all confirmed, but it depends on what — COVID has a say in this matter, unfortunately. So there's this undecided third factor spinning over there with the pandemic that we're just all doing the best we can to play around that. And the same with the Megadeth release schedule, being able to put things out,"
"We're gonna wanna be able to get on the road and promote it. It doesn't make sense to drop a brand new record in the middle of a pandemic and not be able to support that. And so if that means we have to push things back a little bit so that it can be the most effective to tour it and support it, then I'm sure those are decisions that are being made… Quite honestly, those are decisions that get updated pretty much weekly inside the Megadeth camp."
Megadeth recently said they have a due date for the new album, meaning things probably have to be wrapped up pretty soon.
In recent interviews, Mustaine said the new material is up there with Countdown to Extinction and Rust in Peace, and bassist David Ellefson has called the record "insanely progressive". New drummer Dirk Verbeuren (ex-Soilwork) may have also contributed a song to the record.
