In a new interview with Australia's Music Feeds, Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine talks about the band's upcoming 15th studio album, Dystopia, due in January.

Q: We’ve heard the new track “Fatal Illusion”, which definitely harks back to the more vintage Megadeth thrash sound. Can we expect much of the same from the rest of the record?

DM: “No, not the same because I try not to ever do two songs that are the same. I think that there’s gonna be elements of speed and thrash metal, and a lot of the stuff that we learned as we matured as songwriters, too.

“Probably one of my favourite songs is “Poisonous Shadows”, it’s a very dramatic song – it’s not like, a thrasher – and it has a lot of significance to me. There’s that, but then there’s also songs like the next single that’s gonna be coming out called “The Threat Is Real”, which is full-on thrash metal. It’s not speed metal – and there’s a huge distinction between the two – and I think sometimes people miss those two things.

“And then you’ve got songs like “Bullet To The Brain”, which is a super aggressive, kind of modern – I think for us – modern kind of approach to songwriting. A lot of really great songs on here that – when they were in my head – when we were first doing ’em – you know, I thought they were gonna turn out good. But after getting Chris Adler and Kiko to add their chemistry to the record – cause people, they know I’m consistent, they know Ellefson’s consistent, but they’ve never heard these two guys. And to have a super modern drumming magnate like Chris, and then having this guy that has more depth to his guitar playing than anyone I’ve played with… because I’ve had great guys I’ve played with… but I think Kiko has the widest expanse of guitar playing knowledge. It’s just given the record all of the flavour and tone that I’ve always wanted.

“Because Megadeth have a lot of minor stuff, a lot of Spanish-sounding stuff, a lot of very emotional chords that have that kind of Middle Eastern flavour too, and when you try and do that – like, for myself – I can’t play those scales as well as Kiko can, as well as any of the other guitar players I’ve chosen. Part of the reason why I choose those other guitar players that way is because I [wanted to] pick someone who is very well at [doing] the things that I’m not.”

Read the full interview at Music Feeds.

Megadeth will kick off 2016 with the release of their 15th studio album Dystopia on Universal Music Enterprises /Tradecraft / T-Boy Records on January 22nd. With musical architect and band visionary Dave Mustaine at the helm, Dystopia was recorded in Nashville, TN, and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira, Avenged Sevenfold).

The rest of the Megadeth lineup is comprised of David "Junior" Ellefson on bass, new member Kiko Loureiro (Angra) on guitar, and drummer Chris Adler, who took time away from Lamb Of God to record Dystopia. The result marks a true return to form, adding new blood and injecting a new burst of creative energy into the new album.

The Dystopia Mega Bundle (pictured above) is currently available for pre-order at this location; many items are exclusive to this bundle only. It contains:

Dystopia CD
Exclusive Hand Signed Lithograph
Morgue Drawer CD Collectors Box
Tee
Hoodie
Sticker Set
Guitar Picks

Featuring 11 brand new tracks, Dystopia will be released on both CD and LP, as well as digitally through all online partners. "Fatal Illusion" is the first track released from the album, which can be heard below.

According to a press release, Dystopia weaves together Dave Mustaine's intricate and unique songwriting style, trademark leads and lightning riffs with harmonious precision, paying homage to Megadeth’s influential roots while continuing to break new and heavy ground.  

Dystopia tracklisting:

“Death From Within”
“Fatal Illusion”
“Conquer... Or Die!”
“Lying In State”
“Me Hate You”
“The Emperor's New Clothes”
“Dystopia”
“Bullet To The Brain”
“Last Dying Wish”
“Post American World”
“Look Who's Talking”
“The Threat Is Real”
“Poisonous Shadows”
“Melt The Ice Away” (Budgie cover)
“Foreign Policy” (Fear cover)