Dave Mustaine Opens Up About the Health Condition Behind MEGADETH’s Farewell

Dave Mustaine has never been one to dramatize his struggles, but in a recent interview with Spain’s Mariskal Rock, the MEGADETH frontman spoke with rare clarity about the physical reality that pushed the band toward its final chapter. What he shared was not a sudden decision to walk away, but the slow realization that his body was beginning to set limits he could no longer ignore.

Speaking to MariskalRockTV, Mustaine explained that the conversation about the future of MEGADETH began quietly in the studio while working on the band’s upcoming self-titled album. After weeks of pressure, deadlines and long recording sessions, his hands reached a breaking point.

He recalls mentioning to his management that he was not sure how much longer he could keep playing at the required level. It was not an announcement of retirement, but an honest admission of concern. At the time, his focus remained on finishing the album properly and giving it the attention it deserved.

Mustaine went on to describe the specific condition affecting his hands. He revealed that he is dealing with Dupuytren’s contracture, a disorder that causes tissue in the palm to thicken and pull the fingers inward. Combined with severe arthritis in his fingertips, the condition has made playing guitar increasingly painful.

He demonstrated how the condition is already beginning to affect his fingers, explaining that the buildup and stiffness make certain movements difficult and, at times, excruciating. For a guitarist whose style relies on precision, speed and endurance, the impact is impossible to ignore.

Despite the severity of the condition, Mustaine has chosen not to rush into surgery. He explained that as long as he is still able to perform at a high level, he does not want to risk an operation that could potentially set him back during the band’s final run. His approach is calculated and deeply personal.

If surgery eventually fails, he wants to know that he gave everything he had. That he toured everywhere possible. That he said goodbye properly. That nothing was left unfinished.

MEGADETH’s final album, Megadeth, is set for release on January 23, 2026, via Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with BLKIIBLK under the Frontiers Label Group. The record marks the closing statement of a career that helped define thrash metal and reshape heavy music itself.

The farewell tour, however, is not a short goodbye. Mustaine has made it clear that this final chapter will unfold over time. In previous interviews, he has suggested that the tour could stretch another three to five years, allowing the band to reach fans across the world one last time.

For Mustaine, the decision is not about decline, but dignity. He has always said that when he could no longer give one hundred percent, that would be the moment to step back. This interview confirms that the farewell is not driven by loss of passion, but by respect for the music, the fans and his own physical limits.

As MEGADETH enters its final era, this honesty offers a deeper understanding of what it means to end a legendary career on your own terms.