Megadeth<\/strong> have officially earned their first-ever #1 album on the Billboard 200 \u2014 an achievement that arrives fittingly with the band’s final studio release.<\/p>\n The legendary thrash metal outfit’s self-titled seventeenth studio album, released on January 23, debuted at the top of the chart, marking a historic milestone and serving as the closing chapter in Megadeth<\/strong>‘s four-decade-long discography.<\/p>\n Prior to this week, the band’s highest Billboard 200 peak was #2, achieved with 1992’s Countdown To Extinction<\/em>. According to Billboard<\/em>, Megadeth<\/strong>‘s final release moved 73,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during its first week of chart eligibility.<\/p>\n Of that total, 69,000 units came from pure album sales, with physical formats dominating. CD, vinyl, and cassette sales accounted for 56,000 units, including 22,000 vinyl copies sold. Streaming contributed a comparatively modest 4,000 units, equivalent to 4.23 million on-demand official streams.<\/p>\n While the chart-topping debut adds another major accolade to the band’s legacy, Billboard noted that the 73,000-unit total is the lowest first-week figure to secure a #1 debut since May 2025. For comparison, Megadeth<\/strong>‘s previous album, 2022’s The Sick, The Dying\u2026 And The Dead!<\/em>, opened at #3 with 48,000 equivalent units.<\/p>\n Following the chart announcement, members of the band shared their reactions to the milestone. Frontman Dave Mustaine<\/strong> stated: “After 40 years of delivering Megadeth<\/strong> music and playing shows around the world, I have nothing but gratitude at this moment. Finding out that our last Megadeth<\/strong> record is also our first #1 only further validates my will to go out on top.<\/p>\n “Thank you to my family, Teemu M\u00e4ntysaari<\/strong>, James LoMenzo<\/strong>, Dirk Verbeuren<\/strong>, and Chris Rakestraw<\/strong> \u2014 and to all our fans for making this possible. Without you, Megadeth would not be as successful as we are. I’d also like to thank the people behind the scenes: our management, Danny Nozell<\/strong>, Justis Mustaine<\/strong>, Steve Ross<\/strong> at CTK, and our label BLKIIBLK\/Tradecraft.”<\/p>\n Guitarist Teemu M\u00e4ntysaari<\/strong> added: “Absolutely amazing news! Thank you and congrats to our entire extended Megadeth<\/strong> family!”<\/p>\n Bassist James LoMenzo<\/strong> commented: “I want to sincerely thank all our friends and fans who grabbed a copy \u2014 we’re over the moon!”<\/p>\n Drummer Dirk Verbeuren<\/strong> concluded: “It feels unbelievable to sit atop the charts with an album that’s uncompromisingly Megadeth<\/strong>. Huge thanks to all of you who support us \u2014 you made this happen! See you on tour!”\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Enter your information below to get a daily update with all of our headlines and receive The Orchard Metal newsletter.<\/p>\n