Megadeth has unveiled 'Let There Be Shred!' as the third single from their self-titled final studio album, set for release on January 23, 2026. The track arrives with a music video directed by Keith Leman, featuring frontman Dave Mustaine in a mixed martial arts battle alongside live performance footage. This release marks another step toward the band's farewell tour starting in February 2026.
On December 19, 2025, Megadeth released 'Let There Be Shred!', a high-speed thrash metal track described by Dave Mustaine as 'fast and furious,' echoing the band's origins. Mustaine stated, 'When Megadeth started we said we would be fast and furious… we said so on the flyers we handed out. This song is fast and furious. Know it! It has a very hooky chorus that draws you in and you can’t help but play air guitar and headbang to this one.' The video, directed by Keith Leman—who also helmed the clip for previous single 'I Don’t Care'—pays tribute to Mustaine's martial arts instructors, Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez and Reggie Almeida, blending stunt work with the band's intense live energy.
The single precedes Megadeth's self-titled final album, due January 23, 2026, via Mustaine's Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group's BLKIIBLK. The album features earlier singles 'Tipping Point' and 'I Don’t Care,' alongside tracks like 'Hey, God?!', 'Puppet Parade,' and a bonus reimagining of Metallica's 'Ride The Lightning,' co-written by Mustaine. A Target-exclusive vinyl edition includes an additional bonus track, 'Bloodlust,' on blood-red pressing.
To mark the occasion, Megadeth will screen the film Megadeth: Behind the Mask in over 1,000 cinemas across 35+ countries on January 22, 2026. An immersive listening event, 'Let There Be Shred: The Ultimate Megadeth Immersive Listening Event,' is scheduled for January 17 in La Vergne, Tennessee. The band's farewell tour begins February 15, 2026, in Victoria, British Columbia, with Canadian dates featuring Anthrax and Exodus, followed by global legs including support slots for Iron Maiden.
Mustaine reflected on the band's legacy, noting over 50 million records sold worldwide and a Grammy win among 12 nominations. He announced the final album earlier via his alter ego Vic Rattlehead, emphasizing a celebratory close to Megadeth's influential career spanning five decades.
