After what feels like years of talking about it, Megadeth is slated to release their new record The Sick, The Dying, And The Dead on July 8 (or at least that's the current release date). According to vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine in an interview with Loudwire, the new record was delayed because of shipping times related to COVID.
"I think it's July 8th. I think that was the latest we heard for a release date. I think it could possibly be scooted forward a little bit, but I think that would actually be worse than if it stayed where it was at. You need every little bit of time to let people get everything all set up with all this COVID shit. It's been really difficult to ship anything, let alone records."
Mustaine also touched on the band's bassist situation. The Sick, The Dying, And The Dead will feature a mystery bassist in place of David Ellefson, who according to Mustaine was a "guest." Mustaine then calls current touring bassist (and ex-Megadeth bassist) James LoMenzo "part of the band," which is an interesting choice of words. Has LoMenzo come back full time?
"I like to push things as far as I can right because of the — not only the ability but the excitement level that Dirk and Kiko have with their playing ability right now. Our guest bassist that we had, he was a fantastic player. And having James be part of the band again… I remember there were so many, many wonderful nights playing with him. So when the situation kind of revealed itself that we needed to make a change, James was pretty much the obvious choice."
Catch Megadeth on tour this Spring with Lamb Of God, Trivium, and In Flames at one of the dates below.
4/9 – Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob Ultra Arena
4/10 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Arena
4/12 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Broadmoor World Arena
4/14 – Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center
4/15 – Lafayette, LA @ Cajundome
4/16 – Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheater
4/19 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
4/21 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
4/22 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
4/24 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
4/26 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
4/27 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse
4/29 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
4/30 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center* No Trivium
5/3 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum
5/4 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
5/6 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
5/7 – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
5/9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center
5/10 – Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena
5/12 – Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena
5/13 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Arena
5/15 – Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
