Megadeth tour celebrates ‘Rust in Peace’ anniversary after Slayer cancellations

Over the past few months, Megadeth has had two co-headlining ventures cancelled due to health issues within the ranks of tour partner Slayer. But the heavy metal crew will stay on track with a new spring tour, celebrating the 20th anniversary of its seminal 1990 album “Rust in Peace.”

Joined by supporting acts testament and Exodus, the veteran rock act will perform in 21 cities across the United States and Canada this March. The Rust in Peace 20th Anniversary Tour begins March 1 at the Knitting Factory in Spokane, WA, and ends March 31 at the Palladium in Hollywood, CA.

Highlights on Megadeth’s spring calendar include shows on March 11 at Murat Egyptian Room in Indianapolis, IN; March 15 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC; March 25 at Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, TX; and March 30 at Rialto Theatre in Tucson, AZ.

At this point in time, the routing features only two stops on Canadian soil. Gigs north of the border are booked for March 7 at Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, AB, and March 8 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, SK.

Members of the official Megadeth fan club will have access to tour presales on January 28. Public ticket sales will follow on January 29 in all markets.

On its upcoming tour, Megadeth will play “Rust in Peace” in its entirety in addition to other songs from the band’s catalogue. “Rust” was originally released in September 1990 and was, at the time, the band’s best received effort, both critically and commercially. The record peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified Platinum in the U.S.

Megadeth had plans to co-headline a North American tour with Slayer this winter. However, that two-month run was just recently postponed due to a back injury suffered by Slayer bassist Tom Araya.

Though both bands hope to reschedule the tour, it was the second time dates for Megadeth and Slayer had to be axed. An earlier fall 2009 tour was also cancelled due to Araya’s injury, but Megadeth again remained on the road with year-end headlining plans instead.

Megadeth itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)