Megadeth Release New Single “Let There Be Shred!”

As anticipation continues to build for MEGADETH’s final studio album—out January 23, 2026 via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label)—the metal titans have today (December 19) released the latest single and video for “Let There Be Shred!” The track is a rapid-fire manifesto with jaw-dropping riffs and “a tsunami of sound,” to quote a lyric from the song. Directed by Keith Leman, the video features Dave participating in a mixed martial arts battle alongside live performance footage that highlights the track’s fretboard ferocity. 

You can watch the official music video in this article. 

“When Megadeth started we said we would be fast and furious…we said so on the flyers we handed out,” Dave Mustaine says.  “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.

“It’s the second video from the new record that we made with Keith [Leman], who also directed ‘I Don’t Care.’  It was a blast to make and it’s a tribute to my first Sensei, Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez and my Professor, Reggie Almieda.  Everyone on the set was really stoked to see each of us do our stunts. In the end, we got the balance of shredding and ass kicking just right!”

Meanwhile, MEGADETH are preparing for a busy month with a series of events leading up to the album’s release, along with the launch of their final tour, including:

 – MEGADETH have teamed with Trafalgar Releasing for MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK, a cinematic legacy event that will debut on screens worldwide Thursday, January 22—on the eve of the album’s January 23 release. The film will screen in over 1,000 cinemas across 35+ countries. 

 – The group have also announced an exclusive, day-long immersive celebration LET THERE BE SHRED: THE ULTIMATE MEGADETH IMMERSIVE LISTENING EVENT set for Saturday, January 17 in La Vergne, TN (just outside Nashville). MEGADETH will host fans for an unforgettable look inside the band’s world with a jam-packed day that will offer attendees the opportunity to get closer to the band, the music, the stories, and the legacy than ever before. 

 – On the live front, MEGADETH will kick off their farewell tour in North America with a cross-country headlining tour of Canada launching February 15 in Victoria, BC and include stops in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa before wrapping March 6 in Quebec City, QC. 

Leading up to the new album, MEGADETH—Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—have released two tracks: “I Don’t Care” out (watch the video HERE); “Tipping Point,” the album’s first single (watch the video HERE). MEGADETH have also announced a very special bonus track from the album: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which MUSTAINE co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, MUSTAINE revealed in a social post directly shared with his worldwide fanbase and Cyber Army that the forthcoming album will mark the final studio album from MEGADETH, who’ve sold over 50 million records worldwide and received a GRAMMY® Award (with 12 additional nominations). He shared the announcement of the album and tour via his alter ego Vic Rattlehead.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Ross Halfin

Megadeth’s final self-titled studio album – out January 23, 2026 via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label.

Pre-order the album here: https://shop-uk.megadeth.com/collections/megadeth-album

Official Website: https://www.megadeth.com/