Power ‘Hour’: Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Pens Memoir

Amid the unexpected No. 1 debut for Megadeth’s final studio album and its accompanying last world tour, frontman Dave Mustaine will release his memoir, In My Darkest Hour, on Sept. 8 through Da Capo. The book was co-written with Joe Layden and details Mustaine’s multi-year battle with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and his path to recovery.

“One of most harrowing experiences of my adult life has been my seven-year journey through cancer treatment and onward into remission,” says Mustaine, 64. “This story is considerably more than just go to the doctor, get diagnosed, get treatment and hopefully I live happily ever after. This was a journey of me saving myself, staying alive, keeping my family together and continuing to make music through it all.”

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“In My Darkest Hour is Dave Mustaine at his most revealing, vulnerable and true,” adds Da Capo executive editor Ben Schafer. “With lacerating honesty and soulful reflection, he speaks to the universal human experience of facing serious illness and how it changes a person, their family and friends and one’s relationship with creativity.”

Released in late January, Megadeth topped charts in 11 countries, including the United States. It looked back to a formative moment in Mustaine’s career by including a “reimagined” take on Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning,” which he co-wrote during his short stint as lead guitarist with the band in the early 1980s. The cut served as the title track to Metallica’s 1984 sophomore album, by which point Kirk Hammett had already spent more than a year as Mustaine’s replacement. He promptly formed Megadeth after his Metallica departure and has led the group ever since.

Megadeth is supporting the new album with its final live shows, beginning April 23 in Costa Rica. It will also open for Iron Maiden on a number of North American shows as part of that band’s own 50th anniversary tour.

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