Megadeth have officially earned their first-ever #1 album on the Billboard 200 — an achievement that arrives fittingly with the band's final studio release.
The legendary thrash metal outfit's self-titled seventeenth studio album, released on January 23, debuted at the top of the chart, marking a historic milestone and serving as the closing chapter in Megadeth's four-decade-long discography.
Prior to this week, the band's highest Billboard 200 peak was #2, achieved with 1992's Countdown To Extinction. According to Billboard, Megadeth's final release moved 73,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during its first week of chart eligibility.
Of that total, 69,000 units came from pure album sales, with physical formats dominating. CD, vinyl, and cassette sales accounted for 56,000 units, including 22,000 vinyl copies sold. Streaming contributed a comparatively modest 4,000 units, equivalent to 4.23 million on-demand official streams.
While the chart-topping debut adds another major accolade to the band's legacy, Billboard noted that the 73,000-unit total is the lowest first-week figure to secure a #1 debut since May 2025. For comparison, Megadeth's previous album, 2022's The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, opened at #3 with 48,000 equivalent units.
Following the chart announcement, members of the band shared their reactions to the milestone. Frontman Dave Mustaine stated: "After 40 years of delivering Megadeth music and playing shows around the world, I have nothing but gratitude at this moment. Finding out that our last Megadeth record is also our first #1 only further validates my will to go out on top.
"Thank you to my family, Teemu Mäntysaari, James LoMenzo, Dirk Verbeuren, and Chris Rakestraw — and to all our fans for making this possible. Without you, Megadeth would not be as successful as we are. I'd also like to thank the people behind the scenes: our management, Danny Nozell, Justis Mustaine, Steve Ross at CTK, and our label BLKIIBLK/Tradecraft."
Guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari added: "Absolutely amazing news! Thank you and congrats to our entire extended Megadeth family!"
Bassist James LoMenzo commented: "I want to sincerely thank all our friends and fans who grabbed a copy — we're over the moon!"
Drummer Dirk Verbeuren concluded: "It feels unbelievable to sit atop the charts with an album that's uncompromisingly Megadeth. Huge thanks to all of you who support us — you made this happen! See you on tour!"
