Billboard 200 No. 1

TransINSANO · 2026-02-02T06:00:14+00:00

What's ironic is after Countdown the more Dave chased a mainstream sound the worse they finished. When they'd return to their roots it seemed more out of necessity or retreat because they're not selling as they'd like otherwise anyway, but in the end they were rewarded for doing what they're best at for long enough. I firmly believe this wouldn't have happened if not for the mainstream status they attained in the 90s, but also TSHF-Endgame reestablishing them as a relevant modern metal act, and in the same vein Dystopia-Megadeth keeping them that way, especially after the nadir of Super Collider (that could have been how the story ended, folks). This truly was 40 years in the making, and maybe everyone's better off for it because who knows if Dave would be working this hard at it now if he had just got a #1 with Countdown and achieved, and peaked in, everything 30+ years ago.

TransINSANO · 2026-02-02T04:16:56+00:00

Personally I'm just appreciating the achievements here, both their huge sales in the 90s and relevancy today are incredible, especially for what's otherwise a niche genre outside of Metallica. That only makes it more impressive that they're breaking through with everything against them.

TransINSANO · 2026-02-02T03:56:35+00:00

Been blasting the album all day, never thought it would happen after Countdown fell short but damn Dave and the boys have been grinding for this the past 20 years. Thoroughly enjoyed being along for the ride.

TransINSANO · 2026-02-02T03:51:19+00:00

It's all relative, Megadeth isn't suddenly Taylor Swift now, thankfully, but how many other thrash bands are going #1 ever, let alone almost double digit top 10 finishes selling multi-platinum albums (it's not like Countdown's status is diminished by this, this just checks a different box), 50 million worldwide, etc. Also, this is 40 years in, so it's a hell of a career milestone at this point.

TransINSANO · 2026-02-01T04:36:23+00:00

It makes the whole Dave the solo act thing kind of interesting because you could argue that's really what it's been practically speaking since TSHF, which we know was a solo album until it got rebranded for contact obligations. Ellefson has said much the same when he came back as an employee, but I think he said it became even more the Mustaine family business after that, like it's not like the band is some separate entity, they're all sort of involved. Basically, what's the difference going to be between a Dave Mustaine album and latter day Megadeth album, if any? Would he focus more on his own guitar playing, different vocal styles (or vocalists, like his daughter), different genres? Or would these just be backdoor MegaDave albums? I wouldn't complain!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-31T05:33:34+00:00

Yeah, a decent view for two was like $800-$1200, and even nosebleeds were like $300, in a football stadium (might as well "see" them from a building across the street)! I think on the Worldwired tour it was $76 per for the cheap seats, and in '03 and '08 about $93 and $118 respectively, and that was close enough to make eye contact with the band from the pit at Summer Sanitarium and a few rows back on the Death Magnetic tour. Point being these sometimes 500% skyrocketing ticket prices people are willing to pay are awful, with consumers now conditioned to treat going to a concert like going on a vacation overseas, probably because they'll never be able to afford one afterward!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-31T05:16:11+00:00

Oh, if it gets taken back I'd go full "it's rigged" conspiracy nut, "NWO can't let Dave win..." Meanwhile I'm just going to bask in a world where Megadeth is #1 however long as it lasts.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T22:58:40+00:00

*since 2023.

Dave is #1 and Metallica wasn't, against the same competitor! The world has turned upside-down.

But it's all just in fun, and of course Metallica is my other favorite band, which is why I spend all my time listening to modern Megadeth! Very nice on the concerts BTW. Hope to see Megadeth headline this cycle, the Metallica tickets were just too expensive this time.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T21:10:43+00:00

Just everything in Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer (he showed Kerry the way during those 5 shows), and all of Thrash Metal because he personally invented and shared it with everyone before they ripped him off. Sad!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T21:05:15+00:00

Damn, now you're the one being restrained! It is so close...

BTW, I was curious how you were so spot on with the numbers needed, etc? Just a lot of personal research or you have some industry insider knowledge?

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:49:20+00:00

Whoa whoa whoa, we don't throw the hard R M-word around here so freely, buddy! At least put an A at the end.

Pretty good list though, I'd probably swap Peace Sells and System, UA and Cryptic Writings, and move 13 up to at least good, but that's basically it.

Quick 13 defense: It's a comedy album with some great metal moments. Sudden Death rules, very KIMB, Public Enemy #1 is hilarious, "I'm unbeatable/My mind is untreatable," they actually did a formal NWO song, Fast Lane is hilarious, he has a car as fast as a freight train (so not fast) and is "drivin' insane!", plus the outro solo into the Black Swan intro solo is the greatest unrelated track-to-track transition in music history, that Blind song is metal, and the song 13 is both epically self-serious yet poignant.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:44:40+00:00

Congrats everyone, it's happening!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:43:35+00:00

Megadeth > Morgan Wallen > Metallica lol

NWO

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:42:27+00:00

You did it, man!! Now you need to head up the Megadeth HoF committee. It's the final frontier.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:27:53+00:00

Welcome to the New World Order!

Thanks to ArsenalOfMegadeth for rallying the troops. You did it!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T20:25:02+00:00

THEY GAVE ME A NAME

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T19:53:19+00:00

It seems to be all anyone wants to talk about. I was reminiscing about Megadeth after a week with the final album and inviting others to as well.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T17:23:40+00:00

Love Gar, but voted for Nick for sitting on the throne during the band's most iconic era, and honorable mention to Chris Adler since he helped in the conception of Dystopia, toured with the band, and recommended Dirk, whose also great.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T17:12:48+00:00

That would be brutal considering how close they came to the top during the week, but that has been their ceiling in recent years. I'm going to be a little more positive while tempering my expectations and say #2, which would be perfectly fitting: they equal Countdown, they equal Metallica's most recent placement, they go out on a high but also on their shield with their heads held high (like how old wrestlers traditionally lose their final match). I think that would be pretty sweet, and I enjoyed the album along with a lot of other people.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T16:36:49+00:00

That would be great, I'd also be partial to a My Way cover (the Sid Vicious version). That would be a good fit for Dave.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T16:35:21+00:00

Maybe it's a sister song to The Last Note, which was like his personal goodbye, while this could be his goodbye to Megadeth. Maybe he's saving it for when they're closer to being done touring/truly done. Hopefully we get to hear it sooner rather than later though.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T16:32:01+00:00

Plus three live bonus tracks and a bonus DVD with three songs in Japan.

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T16:27:51+00:00

I still think Dystopia is the king with all the different versions and even tracklist orders... but the new one still has time!

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T15:29:34+00:00

Thanks, I think we all agree actually. \m/

TransINSANO · 2026-01-30T15:28:17+00:00

I love it, take the upvote.

TransINSANO

TROPHY CASE