Teemu Mantysaari, Megadeth’s newest guitarist, has shared an updated timeline for the band’s upcoming album, the follow-up to 2022’s The
Sick, The Dying… and the Dead! Initially announced as a temporary replacement for Kiko Loureiro in September 2023, Mantysaari
revealed during an interview with John The Metal Mailman that he officially joined Megadeth in November 2023. The guitarist
confirmed that the band is already in the early stages of writing new material for their next album.
“Right now, everyone is gathering their own riff ideas, and at some point, we’ll combine them and likely record in Nashville,” Mantysaari
explained. “The goal is to complete the album next year.” He also shared insights into his personal writing process, noting that he records
riffs on his phone, then revisits them later with fresh ears. Mantysaari added that bandleader Dave Mustaine typically structures songs around
riffs, allowing the band to bring different ideas to the table and see which ones complement each other.
While Megadeth’s current tour runs through the end of September 2024, Mantysaari indicated that the band already has a “bunch of stuff”
prepared for the new album, suggesting they may be ahead of schedule. Fans can stay up to date with Megadeth’s touring plans and future
album developments on the band’s official website.