Megadeth Charging $950 a Pop for Listening Party as Part of ‘Retirement’ Scam; Will Trump Award Dave Mustaine a Medal of Freedom?
Megadeth fans can’t be too pleased with the mastermind numskull behind the undeniably iconic metal band, the irascible Dave Mustaine – you know, the guy who cried a river and played the victim card in the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster way back when.
Once again, the self-described “born-again Christian” is saying “fuck you” to the Ten Commandments by not admitting his wrongdoings, refusing to atone for the insults he’s volleyed toward marginalized groups, and robbing fans who are either too trustworthy of him or too ignorant of his latest greedy schemes. Like the good little megalomaniacal narcissist that he is, Mustaine is unnecessarily causing even more damage to a legacy he has had countless opportunities to rehabilitate following misstep after misstep.
From accusations of racism and homophobia to the general douchebag attitude with which he makes offensive, uninformed and asinine comments on major media outlets like Fox, the guy just can’t seem to be content with his net worth of $14 million and restrain himself from insulting whomever he pleases. And you won’t believe what he’s up to now.
With Megadeth “retiring” next year – thank Big Four brethren Slayer’s never-ending reunion shows for necessitating those quotes – Mustaine could’ve easily won back favor among his fans by tapping beloved and crucial former bandmates David Ellefson and Marty Friedman (and even Chris Broderick, for that matter) for the trek. But instead, he once again raised his middle finger to Megadeth’s fanbase and stuck with his latest lackeys. How “on brand,” as they say.
Even more disgusting, he appears to be taking a tip from his “non-buddy” (wink wink) Donald Trump by warming up a grift for the ages to bilk Megadeth fans while he still can before his gig (pun intended) is up. What Mustaine has in store for 2026 leads The Bad Penny to predict that Trump will award him a Medal of Freedom before he leaves the White House.
For starters, It’s not a huge surprise that Megadeth are squeezing out one last studio album next month, ostensibly a serviceable release to help them promote the farewell tour that’ll no doubt stretch into 2027. But the other scams plans that Megadeth have in store are laughable if not nauseating in their egregiously transparent snake-oil-salesman veneer (remind anyone of a certain half-demolished White House?).
Mustaine is also churning out a memoir, the details of which haven’t been released yet. (It must be hard to condense all the public bloviating and bitching he’s done over the years.) Additionally, Megadeth have booked 1,000 screens at movie theaters to show a documentary, Megadeth: Behind the Mask, that they’re preposterously dubbing a “global cinematic event.”
And, most ridiculously, they’ve planned a Comic Con-style shindig on Jan. 17 in La Vergne, Tennessee, dubbed “Let There Be Shred: The Ultimate Megadeth Immersive Listening Event.” It’ll feature a so-called “Megadeth Master Class”; a “Megadeth Beer and House of Mustaine Wine Tasting” soiree, “Immersive Spaces and Displays”; and most hilarious of all, an “Evening Hang,” presumably featuring at least some current members of the band. (Note: Two of Megadeth’s four members joined the group less than 10 years ago.)
Here are the price tags that will be attached to some of those “farewell” frauds:
• “Let There Be Shred: The Ultimate Megadeth Immersive Listening Event”: $950
• VIP Photo Op Experience at Feb. 17 concert in Rogers Forum, Abbotsford, BC: CA $715.08
• VIP Merchandise PackageMore Info at Feb. 17 concert in Rogers Forum, Abbotsford, BC: CA $408.28
• Floor ticket at Feb. 17 concert in Rogers Forum, Abbotsford, BC: CA $365.20
• Cremains Guitar Ash-Filled vinyl Megadeth two-LP limited edition: $250
• Megadeth limited-edition urn: $200
• Megadeth varsity jacket and LP deluxe fan pack: $170
• Megadeth limited-edition varsity jacket: $150
• Megadeth holiday sweater: $85
• Megadeth hoodie: $70
• Megadeth dog vest: $60
• Megadeth Christmas mug: $30
• Megadeth whiskey glass: $30
• Megadeth – self-titled two-LP edition: $39.98
• Megadeth: Behind the Mask screening ticket: $15.90 (varies by location)
Megadeth aren’t just crossing the Rubicon with this shameless money grab at a time when only their richest fans will be able to partake in these send-offs, thanks to the economic turmoil us non-millionaires are grappling with day in and day out. More insidiously, maliciously and unforgivably, Mustaine has double-crossed the rubes who will sadly go along with his grift.
A symphony of destruction indeed.
The Bad Penny (beta) 
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