Megadeth won’t be rushed into recording Dystopia follow-up

Megadeth
Megadeth

Megadeth bassist David Ellefson says the band won’t be rushed into releasing the follow-up to Dystopia.

Their 15th studio album arrived in January 2016, with vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine previously reporting that they were “throwing some ideas around” for their next record.

And in a new interview with Mitch Lafon, Ellefson says they want to put out a great album – and they’ll take their time to ensure that’s the case.

Ellefson says: “Moving forward, it’s nice to know that Dystopia was a record that really reset the benchmark for what Megadeth is. I think one of the reasons that record worked is we rebuilt the lineup and the whole structure of Megadeth to a large degree.

“We didn’t have any tour dates, so we took as much time as we needed. And now, of course, the train is in motion and the phone rings and they’re, like, ‘Can you do the summer festivals?’ ‘Can you come to Mexico?’

“I think the trick is making a great record, a follow-up to Dystopia, that we do make sure we take the time and make it right.”

Ellefson adds that the days of having to put out a new album to secure a tour are over for them and says: “Maybe for new bands, it’s still like that. But for the most part, I think people just enjoy live music – they love festivals.

“And, new album or not, they want to see you play – they want to see you on stage playing their favourite songs for them. So I think that, by and large, that’s the calling of the music business right now.”

Megadeth will head out on tour again from May and have live shows planned in South America, Europe and the UK.

Find further details below.

Tour Dates

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Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 5:00PMHell & Heaven FestivalMexico City, Mexico
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 6:00PMSpektrumOslo, Norway
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 6:00PMKulturbolagetMalmö, Sweden
Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 6:00PMRoyal ArenaCopenhagen, Denmark
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 6:00PMHM ArenaPlzen, Czech Republic
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 6:00PMSpodekKatowice, Poland
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 6:00PMnova rock festivalVienna, Austria
Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 6:00PMStone Free FestivalLondon, United Kingdom
Monday, June 18, 2018 at 7:00PMROCKHAL CLUBEsch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:00PMSick Arena, Messe FreiburgFreiburg, Germany
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 6:00PMZeltfestivalMannheim, Germany
Friday, June 22, 2018 at 6:00PMMatapaloz FestivalLeipzig, Germany
Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 6:00PMGraspop Metal MeetingDessel, Belgium
Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 6:00PMHellfest Open Air FestivalClisson, France
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 6:00PMSamsung HallZurich, Switzerland
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 6:00PMBarcelona Rock FestBarcelona, Spain
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 6:00PMWiZink CenterMadrid, Spain
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 6:00PMResurrection FestViveiró, Spain

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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.