MEGADETH: New Album Due In September

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the band's official forum:

"To the guy who started the 'Jesus and MEGADETH' thread, you were very cool to make the illustration which I though was uplifting.

"To the guy that said he is leaving because of it, if you are going to go, bye-bye.

"To anyone else who is wondering about me or my convictions, I have believed in God for years, just never was too vocal about it. And until my arm fell apart I had no need for him.

"Since then I have changed my mind and opened it, great things have happened for me-maybe not for you, but they did for me.

"Droogies, I am not a teenager who has loads left in life to discover, I am a grown man who has made many, many mistakes.

"And as far as the music changing, ask yer beloved webmaster who now has 5 of the new songs. They're pretty good

"Lastly, you need not worry about me trying to convert anyone, just like you can't rape the willing, if someone wants what I have, then I will gladly share it.

"But be advised, my faith affecting you, is quite as asinine as my lunch being your turd tomorrow (I know, gross, huh?!)

"Get this straight-except in self-defense or war, people who kill people are murderers.

"Did the hockey dad that killed that hockey coach on the east coast a year or two ago kill the guy because he was or wasn't any particular faith. No.

"He killed the coach because he was a murderer.

"Thread closed . . . we who believe the same have to remember it is about love.

"I intend to split some heads open with my new record that I love

"If you don't like it, and you bought it, I would love for you to dis it.

"If you download it or steal it I would love for you to change your mind and pay for it.

"The thought that you may be decent enough to admit you are a prejudice bastard and that the new record is good, I would love to see.

"And lastly, I honestly still love those of you who hate me.

"Post or not, crawl away to the www.i'm.so.pagan.i'm.cool.com site, whatever, if you like me as a person, and know me well enough that I accept you as you are, that the music will be at least good, if not great, and that I was merely thanking another Droog the same way I would thank any of you who posted something I liked, then stick around.

"The best is yet to come. We are over 1/3 of the way done with the mix for the new record.

"And the release date is, um . . . say in September?"