by David Ellefson has shared his thoughts on Dave Mustaine’s decision to retire Megadeth. He raised questions about whether the announcement is genuine or a marketing strategy, as reported by AlternativeNation.
When asked about his thoughts on Dave Mustaine’s decision to retire Megadeth, Ellefson expressed skepticism while also offering support if the retirement is sincere.
“If it really is a farewell, if it really is, and it’s not just an attempt to boost ticket sales, ’cause we’ve seen this movie before — boost ticket sales, go away, then the bigger offers come after everybody’s gone away for a couple years; I mean, we’ve seen how this works — but, look, if Dave needs to shut it down and call it quits because he is just had enough and he’s been through it all, then hey, you know what?” Ellefson said. “As a still friend to him, even we haven’t spoken almost five years — you know what? God bless you, brother. Put it away with grace and go enjoy the rest of your life.”
Ellefson emphasized the importance of following through with the retirement announcement if it’s genuine.
“So if he really is shutting it down and he’s really gonna put it away, then please do so with dignity and grace and do what you say and mean what you say,” he continued. “‘Cause I think that farewell thing has been thrown around so much by so many people that it doesn’t have much weight to it. We’ve just seen it over and over again. So, if you’ve really gotta shut it down, shut it down and put it away and go enjoy the rest of your life.”
The comments come despite the two musicians not having spoken in nearly five years.
Ellefson’s skepticism comes in response to Mustaine’s recent announcement about Megadeth’s future. Dave Mustaine announced on August 14, 2025, that the band’s upcoming album, scheduled for release in early 2026, will be their final studio album, as stated on Megadeth’s official website. The band will embark on a massive global farewell tour.
The announcement was accompanied by a mysterious countdown on Megadeth’s website with the message “The end is near.” Mustaine delivered the news partly through his alter ego, Vic Rattlehead, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of this milestone, Revolver Magazine noted. The band expressed excitement for fans to hear the last album and see them on this final tour. They encouraged celebration rather than sadness.
The farewell tour is planned for 2026 as part of this global goodbye to fans. Specific dates and venues have not yet been detailed. The announcement marks the end of an era for one of thrash metal’s most influential bands.
Ellefson’s comments carry additional weight given his complicated history with Megadeth. The longtime bassist left the band in 2021 after allegations surfaced. This led to a strained relationship with Mustaine. Despite their nearly five-year silence, Ellefson’s remarks suggest he still considers Mustaine a friend and wishes him well if the retirement is genuine. He also expressed doubt about whether this farewell will be permanent.
