MEGADETH band assistant Rikki Cameron has issued the following update

Just got home from our New Zealand/Australian No Sleep Til tour and I figured what better way to cope with some jetlag than to sit here at 4 am and write you a blog. It was definitely one of the more interesting tours we've done in my tenure with the band. A traveling festival that was mainly punk bands, a few grindcore bands, and a few metal bands (obviously Megadeth being the big one). Even we were a little confused as to why there weren't more metal bands, but after a few shows, we were told that there were supposed to be other metal bands on the tour, but for their own reason, they were unable to do it. It was fun though. I think the most interesting part for me was how there is a completely opposite frame of mind for metal bands and punk bands. So many cool bands on the bill: GWAR, NOFX, DROPKICK MURPHYS, AUGUST BURNS RED, ATREYU, ALKALINE TRIO, PARKWAY DRIVE, SUICIDE SILENCE, WE CAME AS ROMANS, and many others. Fun way to wrap up the year.

And of course, the highlight of the trip was my birthday in Auckland. Totally kidding. I'm sure you've all seen the video by now of Megadeth receiving their double platinum awards from Universal for the Big Four dvd. What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations AGAIN guys and thank you Australia for making that the #1 live music dvd of the year! Even beat out U2. Bono's great and all, but I think he has enough plaques! Shawn needs something shiny to hang in his livingroom next to his Steelers memorabilia, so thank you!!!

This year has been such a whirlwind. Two live DVDs, one live album, a headliner tour in the US with TESTAMENT and EXODUS, a headliner tour in South America, so many festivals this summer in Europe, most notably the Big Four/Sonisphere shows!, Canadian and American Carnage with SLAYER and Testament, the Jagermeister Music Tour with Slayer and Anthrax, and most recently this No Sleep Til tour (which certainly lived up to its name!). And congratulations to Dave Mustaine for all the success of his book that was released this fall! For any music fans, whether you like metal or not, it's a great read, so if you haven't picked it up yet, or need a last minute Christmas idea, you can't go wrong there. Plus sometimes getting engrossed in a good book is a great way to avoid your family during the holidays. I would know, I've been doing it for years!

And 2011 isn't going to be slowing down in the slightest. So far on the books, Megadeth has the European Carnage with Slayer for March and April (going to need to definitely pack some winter clothes on that run!!!), and a couple of Big Four/Sonisphere dates listed in early summer. There's so much more planned for Megadeth than this, so keep your eyes peeled for more announcements to come. And before all that kicks off, make sure you keep your fingers crossed that Megadeth wins their Grammy nomination! These guys have worked so very very hard all year and deserve this recognition more than anything.

So, as it's getting late, I want to say a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Dave, Shawn, David and Chris and all of their wonderful families, to our amazing, hard working crew and their families, to Megadeth's kickass fans who just keep making every day bigger and better than the next and to Dave McRobb and Shane McConnell for all of the hard work they put into this site and the fan club and for doing everything possible to help bring Megadeth so close to their fans. Thank you all for an amazing 2010 and cheers to 2011 kicking it in the $%&!"