Megadeth Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Wake Up DeadMegadeth15rank/position

Megadeth – Wake Up Dead (Official Music Video)

In February 2023, Megadeth—one of the Big Four of thrash metal and one of the most important bands in the history of heavy metal—played their first show at the Nippon Budokan, a performance that also made headlines for featuring former member Marty Friedman.

Their relationship with Metallica is so famous it’s practically a part of metal history itself, and when discussing the metal and rock scenes of the 1980s, their songs are absolutely indispensable.

Wake Up Dead is a classic that opens their breakthrough second album, Peace Sells…

but Who’s Buying?.

Its intricate and complex structure sets it apart from more straight-ahead thrash, perfectly embodying what central figure Dave Mustaine himself calls “intellectual thrash metal.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

I Don’t CareMegadeth16rank/position

Megadeth – I Don’t Care (Official Music Video)

Megadeth, masters of thrash metal with a career spanning over 40 years.

Released in November 2025, this track is the second single from their final album, “Megadeth,” slated for release in January 2026.

As Dave Mustaine himself says, “This is a punk song,” it trades technical complexity for immediacy and message, resulting in a stripped-down, straightforward piece.

The lyrics portray a way of life untouched by others’ judgments and a sardonic view of a society full of falsehoods, distilling the defiant spirit they’ve cultivated over the years.

A music video centered on skate culture has also been released, intercutting images of unruly youth with the band’s performance.

It’s a track that encapsulates Megadeth’s unapologetic aesthetic as they head into their final tour.

Let There Be ShredMegadeth17rank/position

Megadeth – Let There Be Shred (Official Music Video)

Reigning as the emperors of thrash metal and long leading the scene with intellectual riffs and socially conscious lyrics, Megadeth have unveiled “Let There Be Shred” as a lead-up to their final 2026 album, Megadeth.

As the title suggests, it’s a blistering high-speed track that practically worships guitar shredding itself.

The guitar duel between Dave Mustaine and new guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari is nothing short of breathtaking, sparks flying all the way.

The music video has also drawn attention for featuring Mustaine performing fight choreography.

Released in December 2025, this track packs the aggression and virtuosity that define true thrash—sure to get longtime fans fired up and make every guitar kid want to throw a fist in the air.

Puppet ParadeMegadeth18rank/position

Puppet Parade

As a titan of thrash metal, Megadeth has reigned over the scene for decades.

Released just ahead of their self-titled, reportedly final 17th album, Megadeth, this track exudes the commanding presence of true emperors.

Dave Mustaine delivers a razor-sharp satire of power structures, while the ironclad lineup—now featuring new member Teemu Mantysaari—unleashes intricately crafted riffs.

Dropped in January 2026 to push anticipation for the album to its peak, this number ties in with events like theatrical screenings that encapsulate the band’s legacy, making for a truly stirring experience.

Aggressive yet tinged with melancholy, the sound is something every lover of metal should hear.

Sweating BulletsMegadeth19rank/position

Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Official Music Video)

Megadeth, who describe their musical style as “intellectual thrash metal,” captivate fans with their exceptional technical prowess.

This track, included on their 1992 masterpiece Countdown to Extinction—their most commercially successful album—and released as a single in February 1993, centers on the theme of inner psychological conflict.

Dave Mustaine’s spoken, conversational vocal delivery, as if addressing an alternate persona within himself, accentuates the song’s distinctive worldview.

Among their technically sophisticated catalog, this piece is built less on the ultra-fast, thrash-typical riffs and more on heavy, memorable ones, making it perfect for savoring the essence of metal on guitar.

It also serves as excellent practice material for getting used to a bouncing groove rather than a standard straight 8-beat.