MEGADETH: 'TH1RT3EN' Release Date Confirmed

MEGADETH, easily one of the most recognized and culturally significant names in hard rock music for the past three decades, has announce the forthcoming release of its thirteenth album, titled "TH1RT3EN". The CD will be released November 1 via Roadrunner Records. "TH1RT3EN" follows up 2009's "Endgame", which was one of the most celebrated albums of the pioneering band's storied career.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine is incredibly proud of the music put forth on the new recording, saying, "This record is the culmination of my work over the 13 records I recorded. There are moments on 'TH1RT3EN' that capture my every emotion, and other moments where I am releasing feelings I never knew existed! My proudest moments of my musical career are captured on 'TH1RT3EN'."

"TH1RT3EN" also marks the recorded return of bassist Dave Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This is the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".

The title has several levels of meaning, which leader and guitar deity Dave Mustaine, who first picked up an axe at the age of 13, revealed in a recent chat with RollingStone.com, saying, "I was born on September 13th; this is my thirteenth record. It just seemed like it was the right thing to do to call it 'TH1RT3EN'."

The band also recorded an original track, "Never Dead", specifically for the "NeverDead" action-adventure video game franchise. "Never Dead" will appear on "TH1RT3EN". Additionally, "Sudden Death" was recorded for "Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock" and will appear on the album.

"TH1RT3EN" was recorded at Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis),who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others. The artwork will once again be created by artist John Lorenzi, who was responsible for the artwork on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".

Regarding what fans can expect from MEGADETH's next album, Ellefson told Martin Carlsson of Expressen TV, "Let's put it this way: It's funny that 20 years ago, we came off 'Rust In Peace' and we went in and made 'Countdown To Extinction'. So, to me, that's kind of what this album feels like. We did 'Sudden Death' [for a title in the 'Guitar Hero' franchise, 'Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock'] and then this new song, 'Never Dead', which is a very violent riff. That was the first song we did, and we finished it top to bottom because we had to get it into this video game called 'NeverDead'. So that's a pretty good indication of what the new record is gonna be. But it's a little wider than That's why I liken it to probably a little more to 'Countdown To Extinction', 'cause there's a couple of songs that aren't just full-on, in-your-face thrashing. However, most of it is. So you guys are gonna be excited. You'll like it. You'll dig it. You'll have fun [listening to it]."