File this one under ~metal history doing a victory lap~
In a move that feels both deeply poetic and slightly unhinged, Megadeth have officially released their own cover of Metallica’s ‘Ride The Lightning’ – a song that frontman Dave Mustaine co-wrote back in the early ’80s, before his very infamous exit from Metallica.
Megadeth – ‘Ride The Lightning’
Yep. That one.
The cover appears as a bonus track on Megadeth’s freshly-minted self-titled final album, which dropped yesterday (January 23), and it’s very much a “closing the circle” moment for one of metal’s most influential – and complicated – careers.
Speaking about the decision, Mustaine said the inclusion of ‘Ride The Lightning’ was about paying respect to where it all began.
“As I come full circle on the career of a lifetime, the decision to include ‘Ride the Lightning,’ a song I co-wrote with James, Lars and Cliff, was to pay my respects to where my career first started.”
And yep – Megadeth have put their own stamp on it.
According to Mustaine, the band sped it up slightly, tweaked the solo, and (obviously) brought his unmistakable vocal snarl to the mix.
“You might hear some differences with the tempo… and of course I sing different from James,” he added.
“It was about completing the circle and about showing what James and I, as guitar players, did to change the world.”
The result keeps the iconic riffage intact, but injects that sharp-edged Megadeth urgency – a reminder that while Metallica took one path, Mustaine carved out an entirely different (and equally world-shaking) one.
The timing couldn’t be more symbolic either. Last year, Megadeth confirmed that the new record ouldl be their final studio album, and that a global farewell tour would follow – marking the end of a more-than-40-year run that helped define thrash metal as we know it.
Since forming in 1983, Megadeth have sold over 50 million records, won a GRAMMY, and unleashed genre-defining classics like Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, Rust In Peace and Countdown to Extinction.
A farewell tour is set to kick off overseas later this year, with Mustaine previously urging fans to celebrate rather than mourn.
“Don’t be mad, don’t be sad, be happy for us all — come celebrate with me these next few years.”
No Aussie dates have been announced just yet – but if this really is the last ride, you’d have to think a final trip Down Under is inevitable.
We’ll keep you looped, thrashers.
Further Reading
Megadeth Announce Final Ever Album, Promise Farewell Tour
Megadeth Drop Trailer For ‘Behind The Mask’ – And Yep, It’s Officially Hitting Aussie Cinemas
Megadeth Reveal Final Album Tracklist – Including Dave Mustaine’s Version Of ‘Ride The Lightning’
