Megadeth Score First-Ever #1 Album On The Billboard 200 With Final Studio Release

Thrash metal icons Megadeth have earned their first-ever #1 album on the Billboard 200, achieving the milestone with their newly released, self-titled studio album. The record arrived on January 23rd and has been confirmed as the band’s final studio release, closing the chapter on a storied, decades-long career.

Despite a career spanning over four decades, Megadeth had never previously topped the Billboard 200. Their highest chart position before now was #2, achieved with 1992’s Countdown To Extinction. That record stood as their commercial peak on the chart until this latest release.

According to Billboard, Megadeth moved 73,000 equivalent album units in the United States during its first week of eligibility. The vast majority of that total came from pure album sales, which accounted for 69,000 units. Physical formats dominated those numbers, with combined CD, vinyl, and cassette sales totaling 56,000 copies, including 22,000 vinyl units. Streaming contributed an additional 4,000 equivalent units, representing approximately 4.23 million on-demand streams.

While the achievement marks a historic moment for Dave Mustaine and company, Billboard also noted that the 73,000-unit debut is the lowest first-week total to secure a #1 spot on the Billboard 200 since May of 2025.

For comparison, Megadeth’s previous studio effort, 2022’s The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 with 48,000 equivalent album units in its opening week.

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