On January 7, MEGADETH commenced the recording process for its twelfth studio album at the band's own Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California. The CD is once again being helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy "Undie" Sneap, who produced MEGADETH's last album, "United Abominations" (May 2007, Roadrunner Records).

Tentatively due in September via Roadrunner Records, MEGADETH's forthcoming LP will be the group's first with guitarist Chris Broderick, who replaced Glen Drover at the end of 2007.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following update on the band's official web site:

"It has been one month since I got home from the Priest Feast [MEGADETH's European tour with JUDAS PRIEST and TESTAMENT]! And in that time, we have unpacked, repacked for Germany, unpacked, repacked for Anaheim, unpacked, went into the studio and started writing and recording guitar and vocals.

"So far I have sang on seven songs and played rhythm guitar for some rhythm fixes and an arrangement change on one of the songs, we have edited several songs from the block of music each song initially was into a new and individual arrangement on each song. I have played electric, and did rhythm only so far, and Chris [Broderick] has played both electric and acoustic.

"Chris has played almost everyday, for the rest of the day once I grow tired. I went into the room that he was isolated in and he had his special little foot stand for his acoustic in the room and I said, 'Wassup, Estoban!' (or whatever that dude's name is). He smiled and I gotta tell you, this guy is a real gem; Humble, funny, fun to be around, smart, good looking, and considerate of our fans.

"Anyway, I have sang seven songs and with the instrumental track equally eight, there are only three more songs to sing and the vocals are done for the domestic release. I will need to add one more song for the Japanese release. I also need to have a B-song, and I am trying to salvage a song that we opted against for this record. This was a song that Shawn [Drover, drums] wrote and I just didn't like it. I opted to not do it; and then I started to get another idea, like I told them, and to let me see what I come up with.

"Well, Andy and I have come up with something that I think is better, and I will just have to wait and see what Shawn and James [Lomenzo, bass] think when they hear it again after next week when we all reconvene. I wanted to have them come back out because there is a song on here that is heavy as hell and we are going to break out a little more riffing on the end, as well as try to make Shawn's song work. I am doing the same thing with a lyric I was given by James for 'El Pistolero Solitaire' (or how ever we are spelling it).

"I have to get going to get to the studio on time, and its also getting close to the time that we are going to officially announce the tour dates coming up next. Stay tuned for more, and check out my number for TheLiveLine.com [a service launched by Mustaine that enables musicians to connect to their audience over the phone]. I recorded Chris playing some stuff on it and I will record some of me playing tomorrow — I start my guitar solos tomorrow. Yeah!"

New MEGADETH songtitles include:

* 1320
* Bite the Hand That Feeds
* El Pistolero Solitaire (working title)
* How the Story Ends (working title)
* Nothing Left to Lose But My Mind
* The Hardest Part of Letting Go
* This Day We Fight