DAVE MUSTAINE Wants To “Pass The Torch” As MEGADETH Nears The End — And Envisions A New Big Four

As Megadeth prepares to embark on its farewell tour in just days, Dave Mustaine is already thinking beyond the final bow — and toward the future of heavy metal itself. While the end of the band marks the close of a monumental chapter, Mustaine says he hopes it also signals the rise of a new generation of metal giants.

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Mustaine reflected on the idea of legacy and succession, suggesting that the time may be right for a new era’s version of metal’s legendary “Big Four.”

“I saw this thing a long time ago where The Police were playing at Giants Stadium,” Mustaine recalled. “And they took their instruments off and handed them to the guys in U2. It was a legitimate passing of the torch.”

He continued: “I don’t know who — if that time comes where I take my guitar off and hand it to someone else — who that would be. But I think the time’s come for there to be a new generation of Big Four members.”

While Mustaine acknowledged the strength of today’s metal scene, he admitted that identifying four bands capable of filling that historic role isn’t easy. “I see a lot of bands out there, and a lot of them are really good,” he said. “But are there four? I don’t know.”

The conversation inevitably turned to Mustaine‘s health. His ongoing battle with Dupuytren‘s contracture, a condition that affects hand mobility, has made performing Megadeth‘s famously intricate riffs increasingly difficult.

“It’s not because I don’t want to play,” he explained. “It’s because it’s a challenge, physically, for me to do this. And when all is said and done, I’m gonna do like I said — I’m gonna find who to pass the torch to, to complete the circle.”

Despite the weight of the moment, Mustaine also expressed gratitude and excitement about the farewell tour itself — particularly the chance to share the stage with longtime peers Anthrax and Exodus.

“I think it’s really wonderful that we’re getting to go right up into Canada with Anthrax and Exodus,” he said. “I love Gary [Holt]. He’s been a friend of mine forever. Gary Holt and I are blood brothers.”

Reflecting on decades of shared history, Mustaine added with a laugh, “It’s going to be very enriching to have some really good old friends around. Hopefully we’ll all remember who each other is.”

While Megadeth‘s final tour may stretch on for several years — Mustaine previously told Kerrang! it could “easily” last another three to five — the message is clear: the torch won’t be dropped.