Dave Mustaine Reveals Throat Cancer Diagnosis, Cancels Megadeth Shows

Megadeth frontman and thrash metal icon Dave Mustaine has announced he’s been diagnosed with throat cancer.

“It’s clearly something to be respected and faced head on – but I’ve faced obstacles before,” Mustaine said in a statement.

“I’m working closely with my doctors, and we’ve mapped out a treatment plan which they feel has a 90 per cent success rate. Treatment has already begun.”

Megadeth were slated to join Ozzy Osbourne on the tour this summer, but their dates were significantly reduced after Osbourne had to cancel due to an injury. They were also scheduled for a number of festival dates including Summerfest in Milwaukee, Psycho Festival in Las Vegas and the inaugural Megadeth cruise in October, along with a Big Three reunion of sorts with Anthrax and Slayer at the Santiago Gets Louder festival, also in October.

But due to his recent diagnosis, Mustaine and the band will be scaling back their tour dates.

“Unfortunately, this requires that we cancel most shows this year,” confirmed Mustaine. “The 2019 Megadeth cruise will happen, and the band will be a part of it in some form. All up to date information will be at Megadeth.com as we get it. Megadeth will be back on the road ASAP.”

Earlier in May, the band teased behind-the-scenes photos that showed them hard at work on their new album, Megadeth’s 16th studio album and the follow-up to 2016’s Dystopia. Then on 8 June, drummer Dirk Verbeuren shared a photo of the band working on the new album in a studio in Tennessee.

Despite the recent turn of events, Mustaine confirmed the band would continue to work on the new record.

“Meanwhile, Kiko, David, Dirk and I are in the studio, working on the follow up to Dystopia – which I can’t wait for everyone to hear,” Mustaine said.

Mustaine then shared his appreciation for those closest to him, helping to battle this diagnosis.

“I’m so thankful for my whole team – family, doctors, band members, trainers and more.”

Format: UK English