MEGADETH's MUSTAINE Looking Forward To Next GIGANTOUR

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"Well, I am back at home, have decompressed from the plane, celebrated my official birthday (thank you all for the wishes, gifts, cards, and emails),and am getting over a helluva bout with tour sickness. I don't know if it is something I got at the last show, or I was just sick all along and finally putting the Big Redheaded Machine into park has allowed it all to catch up with me.

"Anyway, as you know, MEGADETH put out 'The System Has Failed' in September of 2004 and after touring the world, excluding the last four remaining dates south of the equator it has been a tremendous success. Sure there were hard times with putting a band together, taking the painful barbs thrown by people who didn't think (or want) me to go on, dealing with guests that I could not spend the time I had wanted to be with them or that they had wanted to be with me and the ensuing problems that followed that, and lastly the constant sickness that followed the tour.

"Add to that the legal matters, like leaving Sanctuary, trying to get the Greatest Hits together, trying to get the DVD together containing all the old videos and threats from people not to be included or wrangling with other licensers to get permission to use the footage, and you see how this was a feat for me or anyone to pull off.

"But I did, and it would never have happened without your love and support, and undying encouragement. I will never forget this last year. Seeing all of you around the globe was a delight for me, but even more so to see my band meeting you all and how loved you made them feel.

"So, this thing called Gigantour was born at the last minute, and because of my relationship with bands that went out with me and MEGADETH, I feel we had a great time. In retrospect, there were a few things I would do differently, but not much. It was a sad day when we lost THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, and when the time came to say, 'So long' to DREAM THEATER and SYMPHONY X, and we were all disappointed with the DRY KILL LOGIC bus breaking down and not having them finish out the tour, but I believe they know how much I loved them and was grateful for all of their time we shared until we said goodbye.

"The last shows with ANTHRAX and the remaining Gigantour 2005 bands; FEAR FACTORY, NEVERMORE, LIFE OF AGONY, and BOBAFLEX came and went too fast. I have only the best things to say about these fine bands and wish them all tremendous amounts of success in the years to come. I also believe that if Gigantour continues on for as many years as I hoped that we will see them again. If not, I hope to grace a stage with them somewhere else in time again soon.

"Lastly, to you, the fans that came out to see the 'Blackmail The Universe' tour or Gigantour . . . what can I say other than you made my dream come true. I love you and am indebted to your faith in me, in the other bands that you may have been fans of and came out for, and importantly most just for supporting our scene. As I write this letter to you all we are already starting the necessary work to make Gigantour 2006 competitive with the inaugural run, and I hope to make even more friends out on the 'Killing Road' with people like yourselves, and the bands that stood by me. Check back in every once in a while to see when I announce the next Gigantour, the next year's talent, and when and where you can see us again.

"I usually close concerts with, 'You've been great, we've been MEGADETH, goodnight!' but that just doesn't seem right today. I think that you've been more than great and we've all been MEGADETH! Time will crawl for me until I can see your faces again and deliver the goods to my North American friends.

"I love you my Droogies and She Wolves!

"Come on, Gigantour 2!"