In a recent interview conducted by Carmen Coronado of Monterrey Rock, MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine discussed the reception from both critics and fans regarding the band’s most recent album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! released in 2022.
“Well, it’s been very well received,” Mustaine responded. “It was successful for us. We have had some really high-charting records before, but this was the highest-charting record of all when it comes down to around the world. In the past, we’d have a record that was good in one place, but it wasn’t good everywhere, and this record has been really good in a lot of places. There’s been a couple places where they just don’t like metal. But for the most part, I’ve been very, very, very, very happy with the outcome of this record.”
When addressing the key to MEGADETH’s enduring success, Mustaine said: “I think it’s not compromising and sticking to your convictions, being true to yourself and just not being a mean asshole. [Laughs] There’s a lot of musicians who get successful and they start to believe their own hype, that they’re really cool. And you know what? We’re all the same. That’s the end of the story. Period.
“When I hear stories out on the road, like when I was younger, I heard about some bands where this woman singer would make everyone call her ‘miss something.’ And you couldn’t look at her. I know Madonna did that, but this was somebody else before that. And I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t like her anymore.’ And it wasn’t that I liked her in the first place, but I just thought, ‘What kind of an a**hole does that?’ ‘Don’t look at me!’ ‘All right! Don’t look at this! F**k you!’
“When you start thinking you’re better than other people… You might be better at something than other people, but you know what? Man, we’re all the same. We’ve gotta stop treating people like other people don’t matter.”
In September 2022, MEGADETH‘s latest studio album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, made an impressive debut, seizing the third position on the Billboard 200 chart during its initial week of release.
It also topped several other charts including Top Album Sales, Top Current Albums Sales, Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Hard Rock Albums. Globally, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! was MEGADETH’s most successful chart-topper till date. It secured the first position in Finland, ranked second in Australia, Poland, Switzerland, and Scotland, and stood third in the U.K, along with several other commendable positions.
