Megadeth has officially entered the Web3 ecosystem with its Rattleheads NFT collection through Discord. The Grammy Award winning, thrash metal pioneers have pulled nearly 40 years of iconic themes and imagery, basing the collection off of Megadeth’s skeletal mascot Vic Rattlehead, an otherworldly being born in a dungeon of torment and pain. With eyes covered by a riveted-on visor, his mouth clamped shut, and ears closed with metal caps, Vic embodies the phrase “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
“As long as Megadeth has been a band, I’ve made sure that we were leading the charge,” frontman Dave Mustaine shares. “Our first album set the standard for thrash metal. We were literally the first band to have a website. Our fan club Cyber Army was started in 1994. Our 2016 album Dystopia came with a full Virtual Reality experience. And now with the rise of web3 technology and its ability to directly connect us with our fans – this moment is perfect for Megadeth. It allows the ultimate connection with our community, and with none other than the almighty Vic Rattlehead as our standard-bearer. See you there.”
Inspired by Megadeth’s long-standing Cyber Army fan club, these militaristic NFTs will include unique mission deployment mechanics alongside vast additional utility to be announced soon.
On September 2nd, Megadeth released its 16th studio album, The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead! which melds the ultra-frenetic riffing, fiercely intricate solos, and adventurous spirit the quartet are known for, all laced with signature virtuosity and precision and Dave Mustaine’s singular sardonic snarl. This album combines all the crushing musical motifs that have made Megadeth both repeat metal disruptors and revered genre flagbearers.
The group debuts at the top of the charts with The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! its first week of sales, taking the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 marking their eighth Top Ten album of their career, and matching the chart impact of the band’s last album, the Grammy-winning Dystopia. The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! total consumption was 47,552, and pure album sales were 44,781, placing the album at No. on Top Album Sales, Top Current Albums Sales, Top Rock & Alternative Album, Top Rock Albums, and Top Hard Rock Albums charts respectively, and at No. 2 on the Vinyl Album Sales chart.
Megadeth also dominated the charts worldwide, achieving the band’s highest ever chart appearances in most territories including Finland at No. 1, Australia, Poland, Switzerland, and Scotland at No. 2, The UK at No. 3, and others.
Last month, the group was presented with plaques to commemorate the RIAA certification for Platinum sales of 1992’s Symphony of Destruction, and the gold status of 1986’s Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? and 1990’s Holy Wars…The Punishment Due. The presentation was held after they performed to a packed house at Five Points Amphitheater in Irvine, CA.
The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead World headline tour begins in February 2023.
#RATTLEHEADS… Here We Come. Follow @rattleheadsnft now. pic.twitter.com/kBhdryQ4oq
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) September 13, 2022
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