Thrash Metal pioneers, MEGADETH, have released an official music video for their new single “Night Stalkers”, which features a guest appearance by iconic rapper Ice-T. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming album “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!”, out on September 2 via UMe.
Created by MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine, produced by Rafael Pensado, and directed by Leo Liberti, “Night Stalkers: Chapter II” is the next episode in the multi-chapter saga about the origin of the MEGADETH mascot Vic Rattlehead as we continue to follow the tragic events leading to our operative’s complete transformation as he systematically exacts his revenge.
Mustaine spoke about “Night Stalkers” in an interview earlier this year with Jose Mangin of SiriusXM Liquid Metal. He said: “It’s a brutal song. I can’t remember if that was the fastest one (on the new album) or not. But ‘Night Stalkers’ is about the 160th Battalion with the United States Army, and it’s all the black-ops helicopters that go in at night — nobody knows they’re there; they’re in, they’re out. And I had my buddy Ice-T join me on a part in the middle of it, because Ice was a ranger for the army, and he did two tours over in Afghanistan, I think it was. I think that was back in ’91, when I first met him. It might have been a little earlier than that, but I know he was a ranger. And I had just done something on his last record. But when I asked him, I thought it would be great to have him because of his bravado and then the fact that he’s got real credibility as someone who was there.”
Featuring twelve new tracks, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” will be released on CD, vinyl, and cassette, as well as digitally through all online partners. There will also be a limited deluxe edition 2LP, 12-track album pressed on 180g black vinyl, housed in a numbered gatefold jacket with a 12×24 lyrics/credits insert, a lenticular vinyl lithograph and a bonus 7″ featuring “We’ll Be Back” and the unreleased b-side “The Conjuring” (Live).’The limited deluxe edition can only be purchased via MEGADETH’s official online store.
Reuniting visionary MEGADETH leader and sonic architect Dave Mustaine with co-producer Chris Rakestraw (DANZING, PARKWAY DRIVE), who together helmed 2016’s “Dystopia”, the album was recorded at Mustaine’s home studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio temporarily stepped in to record the album. With the kick off of MEGADETH’s recent tour, Megadeth-alumni James LoMenzo rejoined the MEGADETH family as permanent bass player.
Dave Mustaine enthuses: “For the first time in a long time, everything that we needed on this record is right in its place. I can’t wait for the public to get hold of this!”
“The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” track listing:
- The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!
- Life in Hell
- Night Stalkers
- Dogs of Chernobyl
- Sacrifice
- Junkie
- Psychopathy
- Killing Time
- Soldier On!
- Célebutante
- Mission to Mars
- We’ll Be Back
You can watch the official video for “Night Stalkers” below:
