Megadeth Farewell Tour: Will Ex-bassist David Ellefson Return After He Was Fired Over 2021 Sex Scandal with Alleged Minor

After over 40 years of reshaping the metal landscape, Megadeth have announced that their seventeenth studio album—whose details remain under wraps—will be their last, and that they will embark on a global farewell tour in 2026, closing the curtain on their storied career as they invite fans to celebrate rather than mourn this finale.

The 63-year-old founder of Megadeth, Dave Mustaine officially announced retirement, saying the band is going out 'on top,' inviting fans to celebrate the legacy rather than mourn its end.

'We started a musical style, we started a revolution, we changed the guitar world and how it's played, and we changed the world,' he said.

The Ellefson Controversy

David Ellefson, Megadeth's longtime bassist and co-founder, was fired from the band in May 2021 following a scandal involving explicit videos and allegations of grooming.

Screenshots and footage surfaced online showing Ellefson in sexual exchanges with a Dutch fan, prompting accusations that he had engaged in inappropriate behaviour with a minor. Ellefson denied the claims, stating the woman was 19 at the time and that their interactions were consensual.

He later filed revenge porn charges against the individual who leaked the footage, asserting:

'There was nothing illegal. That's why I immediately hired a criminal lawyer.'

Despite his defence, Megadeth removed Ellefson's bass tracks from their 2022 album, The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!, and issued a public statement confirming his dismissal.

Could Ellefson Return?

With Megadeth's farewell tour on the horizon, speculation has resurfaced about whether Ellefson might rejoin the band for one last run. In a 2024 interview, Ellefson said:

'It's never a closed chapter... I'd always take the call.'

He acknowledged that the decision to part ways wasn't his, and expressed openness to a reunion if invited. However, he also noted that Mustaine had made it clear in 2021 that the door was closed:

Current Line-Up and Tour Plans

As Megadeth prepares to take its final bow, the band's current line-up reflects both legacy and evolution.

Dave Mustaine

At the helm remains founder and frontman Dave Mustaine, whose aggressive guitar work and snarling vocals have defined the band's sound since its inception in 1983.

James LoMenzo

Joining him on bass is James LoMenzo, a seasoned musician who previously played with White Lion and Black Label Society, and rejoined Megadeth in 2021 following the departure of David Ellefson.

Teemu Mäntysaari

On lead guitar is Finnish virtuoso Teemu Mäntysaari, who stepped in after longtime guitarist Kiko Loureiro took a break from touring in 2023. Mäntysaari, known for his technical precision and melodic flair, has been praised for seamlessly adapting to Megadeth's complex catalogue.

Dirk Verbeuren

Completing the line-up is Dirk Verbeuren, the Belgian drummer whose speed and versatility have anchored the band's rhythm section since 2016.

The farewell tour, announced alongside the band's upcoming 17th studio album, is expected to span multiple continents and run through 2026.

While exact dates and venues have yet to be confirmed, the announcement has already generated significant buzz across fan forums and social media.

For many, this tour represents a final opportunity to witness one of thrash metal's most influential acts live, a band that helped shape the genre alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.

With Mustaine promising a 'career-defining' setlist and special guests rumoured to appear, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most memorable send-offs in heavy metal history.

Legacy and Unfinished Business

Ellefson's departure remains one of the most controversial chapters in Megadeth's history. While his musical contributions are undeniable, having co-written and performed on many of the band's most iconic albums, his return appears unlikely unless Mustaine changes his mind.

Still, Ellefson remains philosophical:

'Brothers fight, brothers hug and make up... Should there ever be a family reunion? Hey, of course, I'll always take the call.'

As Megadeth prepares to take its final bow, fans are left wondering whether the band's last act might include a surprise reconciliation or if the curtain has truly closed on one of metal's most storied partnerships.