The current members of Megadeth are Dave Mustaine (guitars, lead vocals), James LoMenzo (bass), Dirk Verbeuren (drums) and Teemu Mäntysaari (guitars). Mustaine founded the band in Los Angeles in 1983 and is its only constant member. This is likely to be the final line-up: Mustaine has announced that Megadeth will disband after the tour for its last studio album, released in 2026.
Megadeth is one of the “big four” of American thrash metal, along with Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica. The band has changed its line-up many times, and the final album, Megadeth, became its first to reach number one on the Billboard 200. Here is each current member, with roles and years as the band’s member list gives them.
Dave Mustaine (1983–2002, 2004–present)
Guitars and lead vocals. Mustaine formed Megadeth in Los Angeles in 1983. The band temporarily broke up in 2002, when he suffered an arm injury, and he re-established it in 2004.
James LoMenzo (2006–2010, 2021–present)
Bass and backing vocals. LoMenzo first played with the band from 2006 to 2010 and came back in 2021.
Dirk Verbeuren (2016–present)
Drums since 2016. Verbeuren replaced Chris Adler, the Lamb of God drummer who had been brought in to play on Megadeth’s fifteenth studio album.
Teemu Mäntysaari (2023–present)
Guitars and backing vocals. Mäntysaari is the newest member. He first stood in for lead guitarist Kiko Loureiro on the North American part of the Crush the World Tour in 2023, and joined as lead guitarist that November when Loureiro extended his absence.
Is This Megadeth’s Last Line-Up?
In August 2025 the band announced its final studio album along with a farewell tour in 2026. The album was released in 2026, and Mustaine announced that Megadeth will disband once the supporting tour ends. Unless that changes, Mustaine, LoMenzo, Verbeuren and Mäntysaari will be the last Megadeth line-up.
Notable Former Members
Megadeth has had frequent line-up changes over its career. Former members include longtime bassist David Ellefson, guitarists Marty Friedman, Chris Broderick and Kiko Loureiro, and drummers Chris Adler and Jimmy DeGrasso. Mustaine is the only musician who has been in every line-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is David Ellefson still in Megadeth? No. He is a former member, and James LoMenzo plays bass in the current line-up.
- Who is Megadeth’s guitarist now? Dave Mustaine and Teemu Mäntysaari, who joined in 2023.
- Is Megadeth breaking up? Mustaine has announced that the band will disband after the tour supporting its 2026 album.
- Who founded Megadeth? Dave Mustaine, in Los Angeles in 1983.
See also the complete list of Megadeth band members, Megadeth’s original band members and the current members of Anthrax.
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