Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine says he and guitarist Kiko Loureiro have begun early work on what will be their 16th studio album.
They launched Dystopia in January last year – a release which saw them pick up a Grammy for Best Metal Performance at this month’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
And while all band members have busy schedules including tour dates across the world and the Megadeth Boot Camp, Mustaine says they’ve begun kicking around ideas for Dystopia’s follow-up.
He tells Full Metal Jackie (via Loudwire): “We’re trying to start the songwriting process this year while we’re out on the road, which will be good for us to start putting pen to paper and writing stuff.
“Kiko and I have actually been talking a lot about it the last couple weeks, sending files back and forth and so on and so forth, which is exciting for me because that’s what makes me tick is writing music.
“When I see new files coming back and forth through my email it’s like, ‘Yes.’ It’s like Christmas.”
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Mustaine calls the creation process for Dystopia “really invigorating” and adds: “Going into the studio this time it wasn’t like there was a preconceived notion of what the song should sound like, or how many songs should be on the record, or who should do what solo.
“Before, a lot of the records were pretty thought out from beginning to end prior to us even going into the studio. I think it was really liberating the way that we did this record. I think that’s going to continue on when we go in the studio next time.”
He continues: “Going to do Dystopia, I pretty much was at the point where I figured I don’t care anymore about trying to write stuff for radio because it just backfires. Whenever you try and do something for somebody it usually doesn’t work – it ends up being something that’s hit or miss.
“At this stage in my life I don’t want to be taking any chances. I want to have fun, I want to write music that I love listening to, and I think that’s what we did with Dystopia. I’m really looking forward to the next time in the studio.”
Megadeth return to the road from April, with dates planned in the Far East, North America and Europe.
Megadeth 2017 tour dates
Apr 29: Quezon City Pulp Summer Slam, Philippines
May 02: Singapore Kallang Theatre, Singapore
May 04: Kl Stadium Negara, Malaysia
May 07: Jakarta Hammersonic Festival, Indonesia
May 17: Osaka Zepp Bayside, Japan
May 18: Koto Ku Zepp DiverCity, Japan
May 19: Koto Ku Zepp DiverCity, Japan
Jun 24: Montebello Amnesia Rockfest, QC
Jul 13: Oshkosh Rock USA, WI
Jul 14: Bridgeview Chiago Open Air, IL
Jul 15: Cadott Rock Fest, WI
Jul 28: Kuopio Rockcock Festival, Finland
Jul 29: Kuopiorock, Finland
Jul 30: Stockholm Grona Lund, Sweden
Aug 01: Oslo Sentrum Scene, Norway
Aug 02: Copenhagen Store Vega, Denmark
Aug 04: Wacken Open Air, Germany
Aug 06: Lokeren Lokerse Festival, Belgium
Aug 08: Milan Carroponte, Italy
Aug 11: Alicante Leyendas Del Rock, Spain
Aug 13: Walton On Trent Bloodstock Festival, UK
Aug 15: Tilburg 013, Netherlands
Aug 17: Zurich Komplex 457, Switzerland
Aug 18: Wilburgstetten Summer Breeze Festival, Germany
Aug 19: Hamburg Elb-Riot, Germany
