Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine To Release Memoir In My Darkest Hour In September

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has confirmed that his new memoir, In My Darkest Hour, will be published on September 8, 2026. The book was co-written with Joe Layden and will be released by Da Capo, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing and the Hachette Book Group.

The memoir chronicles Mustaine’s harrowing seven-year battle with cancer, detailing how his diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma at the back of his tongue threatened both his career and life. Beyond the medical struggles, the book explores Mustaine’s lifelong challenges with addiction, family trauma, and personal demons, offering an intimate look at how he persevered while continuing to create music.

“One of most harrowing experiences of my adult life has been my seven-year journey through cancer treatment and onward into remission,” Mustaine said. “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.”

The memoir also details how confronting mortality deepened Mustaine’s relationships with his family, strengthened his faith, and influenced his art. It provides behind-the-scenes insight into the creation of Megadeth’s sixteenth studio album, The Sick, The Dying…and the Dead!, which was recorded amidst radiation and chemotherapy appointments.

Da Capo Executive Editor Ben Schafer described the book as:

“Dave Mustaine at his most revealing, vulnerable, and true. 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. Da Capo is proud to publish Dave Mustaine’s most unblinking memoir to date, one that isn’t only for Megadeth fans.”

Six years after his initial diagnosis, Mustaine and Megadeth have seen the most significant success of their 40-plus-year career, with the band’s January 2026 album debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and topping charts in 11 countries worldwide.

Pre-orders for In My Darkest Hour are now available via Amazon and dacapopublishing.com.

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