For My Sunday Song #470, we are tackling the new single “Let There Be Shred” from the brand new and final Megadeth album, ‘Megadeth’. The song was dropped as a single on December 19, 2025, but I didn’t hear it until I bought the new album which was released on January 23, 2026. I have not stopped listening to this album and song ever since. The song helped propel Megadeth to their First #1 Album in their 40 year history. What a way to go out as this is their last album, according to Dave Mustaine. Go out on top…not many bands can do that.
The song was written by Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari and Dirk Verbeuren. All members of Megadeth. The only one missing is James LoMenzo. The song is a blistering fun romp down memory lane. It is a nostalgic driven song about their love for Thrash metal. It is about the destruction of playing guitar with a fierce, adrenaline-filled passion that leaves everyone else in your dust. “Clawing at Fretboards”, “Smash my guitar”, “Thunderous command”, “Guitars are all screaming”, “A machine gun on meth”…all ways of describing their playing and it fits it perfectly.
Musically, the song is total fire. This is a guitar showcase song for sure. You get two solos, one from Teemu Mantysaari and one from Dave himself. During the second solo, the whole feel of the song changes and the solo obliterates your ears. The drums, from Dirk, pummel you until you are black and blue. Dave’s gravely, dirty vocals are masterful and reminds you that although he isn’t the best singer out there, he is perfect for this type of music. I can’t imagine anyone else singing this song. But again, the highlight are the frightening brutal riffs, screaming solos and wall-to-wall destruction by the guitar. These guys were definitely born with a guitar in their hand!!
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Is this is a solid rock anthem that encompasses the whole meaning of Thrash Metal? I think so. Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a Happy and Thrashy Sunday!!
“Let There Be Shred”
The stage has been lit, get up on your feet
Hearts start to pound; everyone get off your seat
My fingers spontaneously combust into flames
Destroying pretenders, only ashes remain
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and “Let There Be Shred!”
The amps start to roar, a tsunami of sound
Controlling the air, shaking the ground
Guitars are all screaming, they squeal with delight
Clawing fretboards away at the speed of light
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and “Let There Be Shred!”
At the end of it all, they are left in my wake
One-by-one they’d fall, one-by-one they’d break
Faster than lightning, a machine gun on meth
Dead on arrival, a guitar beat to death
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and “Let There Be Shred!”
Written By Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari and Dirk Verbeuren
