Dave Mustaine has revealed that a painful hand condition known as Dupuytren’s contracture has played a part in Megadeth‘s decision to release a final album and embark on a farewell tour.
During a YouTube interview with MariskalRockTV, Mustaine described the condition — once known as Viking Disease — which causes one or more fingers to bend toward the palm of the hand, resulting in the affected fingers not straightening completely. It usually begins as small, hard nodules under the skin of the palm.
“It’s gonna make my finger come down like this,” he said, showing the interviewer how the condition affects him. “It’s already started, where it’s kind of bunching up a little bit. And then if you look at the tips of my fingers, they’re severely arthritic. So all those bumps makes it really painful to play.”
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Mustaine said that he will undergo surgery to halt the condition’s progress, but after the Megadeth’s farewell tour dates — a trek that could extend for up to three-to-five years.
He explained, “If I wait until my hands are causing a problem and I try it and it doesn’t work, well then I’ve toured everywhere, I’ve said farewell everybody and am not leaving stuff unsaid or unfinished.”
Megadeth’s farewell dates kick off in February with a headlining tour of Canada. After that, Mustaine and company will support Iron Maiden’s North American tour in the late summer. Get tickets here.
In other news, Megadeth announced a theatrical event surrounding the release of their forthcoming final album on the night of January 22nd, the day before the self-titled effort’s release. Doubling as an album listening session and documentary-style film, Megadeth: Behind the Mask looks back on the band’s 40-year career, as Mustaine shares “untold stories of the band’s past and the creative fire that drives them,” according to the official synopsis.
Below you can watch the YouTube interview with Mustaine for MariskalRockTV.
