After he left Metallica in 1983, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine formed the thrash metal quartet Megadeth. Though Megadeth followed the basic blueprint of Metallica's relentless attack, Mustaine's group distinguished themselves from his earlier band by lessening the progressive rock influences, adding an emphasis on instrumental skills, speeding the tempo up slightly, and making the instrumental attack harsher. By streamlining the classic thrash metal approach and making the music more threatening, as well as making the lyrics more nihilistic, Megadeth became one of the leading bands of the genre during the mid-'80s and late '80s. Each album they released went at least gold, and they continually sold out arenas across America, in addition to developing a strong following overseas. By the early '90s, they had toned their music down slightly, yet that simply increased their following; all of their proper '90s albums debuted in the Top Ten.
Throughout Megadeth's many lineup changes, the two core members were bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine (b. September 13, 1961), who was the band's official leader. Mustaine grew up in the suburbs of Southern California, where he was raised by his mother in a broken home; frequently, his mother left him to be raised by aunts and uncles, who never encouraged his musical inclinations and often belittled him for his fondness for heavy metal. In 1981, he formed Metallica with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. Mustaine spent two years with Metallica, developing a strong cult following in California's underground metal scene, before he was kicked out of the group in 1983, allegedly over his substance abuse. Immediately following his firing, he formed Megadeth with Ellefson, Slayer guitarist Kerry King, and drummer Lee Rauch. This lineup was extremely short-lived, and Mustaine and Ellefson soon recruited guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson.
For the next few years, Megadeth toured and gained a following, signing with the independent label Combat in late 1984. The following year, the group released their debut, Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!, which received strong reviews, not only in metal-oriented publications, but also in mainstream music magazines. The album sold very well for an independent release, which attracted the attention of major record labels. By the end of the year, the group had signed with Capitol. Megadeth's first major-label album, Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, was released in the fall of 1986. Like its predecessor, Peace Sells was greeted by strong reviews and sales; it eventually went platinum.
Although the band's fortunes were on the upswing, Mustaine was beginning to sink deeper into drug abuse, specifically heroin. Soon, his addictions began to affect his work. Many stories concerning his erratic behavior were circulating within the metal community, and they seemed to be proven correct when he fired both Poland and Samuelson before the recording of the band's third album; they were replaced by Jeff Young and Chuck Behler, respectively. The new lineup debuted on So Far, So Good...So What!, released early in 1988. So Far, So Good peaked at number 28 on the charts and also eventually went platinum (despite less enthusiastic reviews); it also featured a notorious cover of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK," with incorrect lyrics.
In the years immediately following the release of So Far, So Good...So What!, Mustaine was impaired by his drug addictions. In early 1990, he was arrested for driving under the influence and entered a rehabilitation program. By the end of the year, he was not only sober, but he had reconvened the band; firing Young and Behler and replacing them with guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza. This lineup recorded Megadeth's fourth and most progressive album, Rust in Peace. The record peaked at number 23 on the American charts and went platinum. 1991 saw Metallica break through to the mainstream, and sensing the possibility for similar success, Mustaine followed suit in stripping down the band's sound, though it remained as technically perfectionistic as Rust in Peace. The result, Countdown to Extinction, was released in 1992, entering the charts at number two; the record went double-platinum and became the band's biggest hit, confirming that they had retained their audience in the wake of grunge. Now one of the most popular metal bands in the world, Megadeth moved farther toward the mainstream with Youthanasia in 1994, which entered the charts at number four and, like its predecessor, went platinum. The following year, the group released Hidden Treasures, a rarities collection which featured some of the soundtrack tunes that had helped expand the group's MTV audience in the early '90s. 1997's Cryptic Writings found Megadeth fully embraced by album rock radio, which formerly would never have touched the band. Ex-Suicidal Tendencies drummer Jimmy DeGrasso signed on in 1998, in time for the following year's Risk. In 2000, following the release of the best-of Capitol Punishment, Marty Friedman followed Nick Menza out the door; he was replaced by former Savatage and Alice Cooper guitarist Al Pitrelli. After signing with the BMG subsidiary Sanctuary, Megadeth debuted its new lineup on 2001's The World Needs a Hero.
While on break from touring, Dave Mustaine suffered a serious injury in January 2002 while staying in Texas. He was diagnosed with having radial neuropathy shortly thereafter, a condition that prevented him from playing guitar. The compressed radial nerves in his left arm and hand were strained, leaving Megadeth little recourse but to disband in April 2002, after almost 20 years in the music industry. Dave Mustaine recently recovered and Megadeth reformed releaseing the new album The System Has Failed. Chris Poland also returns on this album.
| CURRENT LINE-UP: | |||
| Dave Mustaine - Guitars, Vocals (Metallica, MD.45, guest in Sanctuary) Glen Drover - Guitars (Eidolon, King Diamond) James MacDonough - Bass (Iced Earth, Oracle) Shawn Drover - Drums (Eidolon) | |||
| FORMER/PAST MEMBERS: | |||
| GUITARS: Marty Friedman (1990 - 1999) (Deuce, Vixen, Cacophony, Hawaii, Aikawa Nanase) Chris Poland - Guitars (1984-1987, 2004) (Damn the Machine, Ohm) Jeff Young (1988) Jay Reynolds (1987) (Malice, Metal Church) Mike Albert (1985) Greg Handevidt (1984) (Kublai Khan) Kerry King (1984) (Slayer) Al Pitrelli (2000 - 2002) (Savatage, Widowmaker, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, C.P.R., Dee Snider, Asia, Alice Cooper) BASS: Dave Ellefson (1983 - 2002) (Avian, Soulfly, F5) Jimmy Sloas (2004) DRUMS: Gar Samuelson (R.I.P. 1958 - July 14, 1999, liver failure) (1984 - 1987) (Fatal Opera) Chuck Behler (1988) Dijon Carruthers (1984) Lee Rausch (1983-1984) (Dark Angel) Jimmy DeGrasso (1998 - 2002) (Suicidal Tendencies, MD.45, Y & T) Vinnie Colaiuta (2004) Nick Menza (1988 - 1998, 2004) (Marty Friedman, Memorain) |

Last Rites (Demo 1984)
1.)Last Rites/Loved To Deth
2.)Mechanix
3.)The Skull Beneath The Skin

Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! (1985)
1.Last Rites/Loved To Deth
2.Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good
3.The Skull Beneath The Skin
4.These Boots
5.Rattlehead
6.Chosen Ones
7.Looking Down The Cross
8.Mechanix
Note: This is the track listing for the original LP & CD release. In the mid 90's a law suit was filed by Lee Hazlewood (writer of the original "These Boots") which resulted in a re-release 7 track version of the album omitting "These Boots". The 1999 remaster features different cover art with 7 of the tracks remastered as well as the "Last Rites" demo included as bonus tracks. "These Boots" appears, but the "offensiveness" is literally bleeped out of the song.
Review:
After his exodus from metallica a couple of years prior, Dave Mustaine quickly regrouped with another set of songs and musicans and kicked out one of the most angry, thrashy, pissed off debuts ever. While not as complex or precise as later albums, it all starts to take shape here with Dave's driving rhythm riffs, lightning fast solos (which Chris Poland also delivers and manages to accentuate Dave's perfectly, probably the greatest team in thrash!) and Gar's primitive sounding yet complex and pumping drumming. The result is an EXCELLENT debut with every song driven by some raw angry energy. The production for the original album is also extremely raw, but this adds to the feel of the album and just makes it grittier and thrashier rather than take away from it.
Last Rites/Loved To Deth: This song has always been one of my favorites. Starting off with a menacing piano intro that works effectively as the calm before the storm and a sweet little guitar lick you get smacked right in the face with a purely blazing thrash riff and some powerhouse drums. Every instrument just sounds so full of power here, from the plodding Bass and on up. Great solos also get delivered from both parties here.
Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!: The album continues on with another awesome, although mid paced, thrash with a truely infectious riff thats sure to grab your attention. The solo and Gar's double bass at the end of the song are worth the price of the album alone.
Skull Beneath The Skin: Damn there's some excellent guitar licks that open the songs here. This particular one just sounds so metallic and chaotic I love it! The first solo here absolutely rips too, one of the finest of 'Deths career. The band just fires on all pistons with this one as well its just so tight and angry, instantly you want to bang your head to it. The lyrics here are also some of my favorites done by anyone, pretty neat description of a voodoo ritual that created ol' Vic.
These Boots: Fucking dirty! Megadeth just takes this song and truly adds an edge to it and makes it their own, I wouldve never guessed it was the same song aside from some of the lyrics sticking out. The pounding rhythm found here truly just makes you want to get up out of your seat along with another set of awesome solos. I remember when this first came out alot of people had a problem with them covering a Nancy Sinatra tune, but Deth managed to twist it and make it a true original. Its worth picking up the original press to get it. Oh and Lee Hazlewood can go fornicate himself with a railroad spike, maybe now that he's kicked off the uncensored version will be able to resurface again.
Rattlehead: RATTLE YOUR GODDAMN HEAD! One of Megadeth's best songs period. The whole track is some absolutely blazing ass kicking thrash.
Chosen Ones: Ive constantly seen this referred to as a "low" point on the album, but really its one of the neatest track. More tamed down than some of the other songs, it still delivers some excellent riffs and solos that are truly great along with a blasting backing section courtesy of Ellefson and Gar.
Looking Down The Cross: Starting off slow, this song builds up to another great thrasterpiece from the Megaboys. With more tasty chops thrown out and a thundering middle section, another of my favorite tracks.
Mechanix: Yeah yeah so we all know the story about how Metallica took this song and slowed it down and lamed it up into The Four Horsemen. But as for Mechanix itself, just some awesome fast paced thrashing with one hell of a drum performance from Gar and a great riff. Another one of Megadeth's best songs, despite the somewhat juvenile lyrics, but I personally like those as well.

Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986)
1.Wake Up Dead
2.The Conjuring
3.Peace Sells
4.Devil's Island
5.Good Mourning/Black Friday
6.Bad Omen
7.I Ain't Superstitious
8.My Last Words
Review:
Coming off of an excellent debut which is ALMOST the quintessential thrash album, Megadeth manages to one up themselves with their sophmore effort and make exactly just that. Once again recorded for Combat the band was not only unsatisfied with the once again small recording budget but with the production of the album. Originally finished in March of '86 the album was shelved until after Megadeth signed with major label Capitol and Paul Lani is brought in to remix the album. Eventually satisified with the sound of the album it gets released in November. And it certainly does sound GREAT with truly clear production that highlights not only the punchy tight drums but you can actually hear both guitars and Dave's voice sounds more refined (and it also manages to retain an edge of grit, which all thrash should have). Just as aggressive as KIMB and ferocious, the aggression is more tame and focused on this record giving it a stronger assault then 'Deth ever had before. Another thing about this album is Poland and Samuelson's jazz background is more fully realized and incorporated with the thrash attack of Deth which give the music a bit of a darker feel and a very groove oriented atmosphere not to mention what are probably Poland's most interesting solo's ever and even more complex but flowing drumming from Gar. Add in some NWOBHM tendencies as well just tack on to the greatness. Despite the writing credits once again being solely Mustaine's besides the cover the influences from other members is clear and it ends up being the Megadude's tightest, most thought out recording ever. While it doesnt have the overt technicality say Rust In Piece has this line up easily played just as, if not more so, complex as that one would in latter years, but there's so much more feeling in Peace Sells not to mention the way they just flow and roll off of each others parts. It's ashame both Samuelson and Poland would succumb to their addictions so bad they were kicked at the end of this tour because I can only imagine what they would've done together from here. This album also gave Megadeth their first single in "Wake Up Dead" and their first videos in that same track as well as "Peace Sells" which received pretty regular rotation on MTV as well as the album becoming a critical and commercial success. During the tour the band would not only open for Alice Cooper, Motorhead and King Diamond but also have their first headlining spot in the UK.
Wake Up Dead- The opening riff and plod to this song absolutely KILLS and shows they mean some Dethly business right off the bat, add in Dave's edgy vocals and a spine tingling solo and the songs infectious riffing. It just jumps through so many different parts that seem to effortlessly flow and thrash with each other not to mention the skillful drumming Gar delievers along with Ellefson's crushing NWOBHM tinged basslines add up to one of the most sonically bad ass rhythm sections ever. What a great way to start! and a personal favorite song, lyrically as well.
The Conjuring- If this doesnt get you headbanging, nothing ever will. With a more melodic guitar intro leading into that driving bass line with Dave once again delievering what sounds like lines delievered through a sandpaper lined throat...just so deliciously gritty and evil sounding. Excellent solos and riffs galore once again, there isnt a single song on this album that doesnt deliver those. The ending section to this song is just so pounding it makes you want to jump around your place and break stuff just like the angry horny adolescent you once were.
Peace Sells- Once that plodding bass line kicks in, instant classic, no question about it. As well as being musically perfect this song also gives some of Dave's most well thought out lyrics to date. The solo fills during the main riff in this are excellent, complete controlled chaos.
Devil's Island- Coming in with something totally crushing and an excellent first solo equivalent to a banshee wailing another Megaclassic is born. A nice picking bass line and some great hard hitting plodding thrash lead up to an infectious chorus that just commands you get off your ass. And jumping into another ass ripping solo (one of my favorites on the album) the song never loses it once.
Good Mourning/Black Friday- My favorite Megadeth song ever (I also think it's their best), this tune just rips from all angles. With a slowed down melodic jazzy intro which just builds into some nice shreds and pounding drums and continues to build until.......it just smurfing BURSTS forth from all angles all at once signaled by a scream from ol Dave. With solos coming all at once it just threatens to rip your head apart with an extreme case of audio thrash euphoria. The lyrics here are just as brutal as the music, about a psychotic killer, just beautiful stuff. The music just feels threatening as it continuously burts forth with an intensity very rarely matched. Total perfect thrash song. Not to mention that riff, it just sounds so otherwordly and choppy. IT'S BLACK FRIDAY!
Bad Omen- With some awesome guitar that sounds like an evil demon delievering bloody chuckles this ends up being one of the darkest songs on the album with an awesome primitive rhythm section and one of the best solos found on the album.
I Ain't Superstitious- Pretty cool little cover of the Willie Dixon classic that once again gets the Megatouch. I think it comes off pretty good with some neat guitar and it sounds like they had alot of fun doing it, alot of people seem to hate it, but I like it, especially when they thrash it into high gear. Deth always manages to do some damn good covers.
My Last Words- No better way to close an album than with an epic breakneck slab of thrash. Once again Dave throws up some cool lyrics (though lyrically the whole album is good, hell theres not a bad song in any form) and just some weaveing guitar lines with some layered complex drums and bass ride you out to the end of the album. Sheer thrashterpiece!

So Far, So Good...So What! (1988)
1.Into The Lungs Of Hell
2.Set The World Afire
3.Anarchy In The U.K.
4.Mary Jane
5.502
6.In My Darkest Hour
7.Liar
8.Hook In Mouth
Review:
By 1987 at the end of the Peace Sells tour, Megadeth had basically fallen apart at the seams with Dave's firing of both Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson due to drug use (though he himself had enough heroin in his veins at the time to kill a horse) among other things, but immediately hired Jeff Young and Chuck Behler (Poland and Samuelson's guitar and drum techs) to take their place. The result of rampant drug use and a shitstorm of drama and inner turmoil, So Far, So Good...So What! often gets overlooked and named one of Deth's lesser albums but I say it's just as good as the others. Gone are Poland and Samuelson's jazz influences, and the latters complex drum commentary and the head exploding mind boggling dual solos and leads traded between Mustaine and Poland, but instead of totally crashing and burning you get basically just a straight ahead thrash album in Mega Dave's image. Jeff Young however is quite adept at playing guitar, and when Dave actually lets him get in a solo he does quite well, theres just nothing too amazing about it. The same can be said of Chuck Behler, he plays his instrument well but he's really just there to back up the band as opposed to Samuelson who could really drive songs harder. Also, as a result of Dave's drug use you get a real dark emotional, yet pissed off thrash record thats pretty schizophrenic in some of it's lyrical jumps between songs, but its still a GREAT album and one of my personal favorite Deth albums. About the only complaint to really be given about it is the production isn't quite up to par with the drums sounding especially flat, but its easy enough to overlook in the face of some EXCELLENT tracks.
Starting off with the great instrumental Into The Lungs Of Hell Dave shows right off that they're back and they mean business. With a pretty strong very uptempo drum backing and some nice riffs thrown out by Young, Dave more or less uses it as a showcase to through out technical sounding solos on after another (sonically sounding like a precursor to Rust In Piece actually). This song also establishes a lot of power and a driving feeling continued throughout.
Set The World On Fire starts off with a great machine gun like riff and immediately continues on with the power and established by the albums opener. With an awesome steamhammer riff laid down that threatens to crush your head from all sides as well as some more absolutely kick ass solos kicked out. The lyrics on this track are great too actually describing Megadeth and a nuclear holocaust, this song was actually written earlier in their career but not recorded till this album, damn shame cause I would've liked to hear what the earlier line up would do with this. Another classic deth tune!
And then we come to whats the worst song on the album a cover of the Sex Pistols Anarchy In The U.K. (will bands please stop covering this smurf poo already?!). Despite my general distaste for the original song Deth actually does a pretty good job taking it and thrashing it up with some neat solos added in, but really its a take it or leave it deal.
Then comes a complete jump in pace as we go from that cover to one of the best songs on the album Mary Jane. Starting off with a creepy intro with an a demonic sounding voice. Jumping into a ass kicker of a riff and some great guitar work with that tech/classical tinge delivered on top of a pretty punchy drum beat (with some nice fills delivered actually, though the drum sound isn't the best in the world). Ellefson's bass sounds incredibly heavy like a bolt of lead on this song too. The main riff to the song has a crunching riff that just demands you headbang to it. This track also has a very dark feel to it which just inhances it further. Along with some great lyrics about a ghost, just goes to show this new line up of Megadudes were here to thrash ass. My favorite song from the album actually.
502 comes out at you like a freight train initially with a chugging riff that jumps from the first verse into an even harder hitting midsection which just drives you where you cant sit still during it. With a face melting solo tossed in, it just demands you mosh.
In My Darkest Hour is the albums epic. Starting off with a dark sounding, but quite melodic opening it quickly explodes into the albums main riff which is some great dark plodding thrash that matches the vocals perfectly, and slowly growz in intensity as the song goes along with the rhythm section thundering along and some great menacing sounding guitar fills over top of that riff. Kicking it into high gear towards the end another speedy solo (just further establishing Dave doesn't really need that second lead) and ending with the same dark plod it began with, just a complete classic song, you NEED to hear this one.
Liar is just a total teeth kicker and one of my favorite Deth songs. The complete polar opposite of In My Darkest Hour pretty much in every way possible from the hate filled lyrics (directed toward Poland over his stealing of equipment) to the fast paced crunch of the guitar. Theres also a real cool echo effect used on guitar during one of the verses that I really dig. Total fuckin thrash throughout really, GREAT track, just grab your buddy and start doin the blender.
Hook In Mouth is a great way to close the album. Lyrically a big middle finger to censorship and the hypocrisy of it all, its got one of the most awesome riffs on the album and a solo in the middle that sounds like its coming for you. A great way to end a great album
Notes:
In My Darkest Hour was written for Cliff Burton and Liar was written for Chris Poland.
Both Mary Jane and Anarchy In The U.K. Were released as singles with a video being made for the latter.

Rust In Peace (1990)
1.Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
2.Hangar 18
3.Take No Prisoners
4.Five Magics
5.Poison Was The Cure
6.Lucretia
7.Tornado Of Souls
8.Dawn Patrol
9.Rust In Peace...Polaris
Review:
The end of the So Far, So Good...So What! tour much like the Peace Sells tour before it was a complete enema smurf poo and a personal drug infused war against band members. After their appearance at the Monsters Of Rock show in the UK Mustaine quickly fired Chuck and Jeff and cancelled the Austrailan leg of the tour. With Nick Menza already waiting in the wings as Chuck Behler's drum tech (Much like Chuck with Gar before him) he was brought in for the first time in 1989 to record the cover of No More Mr. Nice Guy for the Shocker soundtrack. Unable to find a suitable guitarist in time this track was actually recorded as a three piece band. After crashing into an unmarked police car while searching for a new guitarist that summer, Mega Dave was arrested for a DUI and forced to enter court appointed rehab. After his new found sobriety the search for a new guitarist began once again during which everyone from Eric Meyer of Dark Angel to Jeff Loomis of Sanctuary was auditioned. Loomis initially rejected due to his age, mentioned the gig to Marty Friedman (of Cacophony at the time) who went and auditioned and after an image change was officially made a member in February 1990 and recording began. The band being completely sober while recording this time made a huge difference and dispersed problems caused by drug use in the past while producer Mike Clink became the first producer to work with Megadeth throughout a whole album without being fired. Rust In Peace featured
a much tighter and polished Megasound that was more complex and more progressive than previous albums. The only problem with this is it comes off as arena thrash almost at times with the sound being more accessible than previous Deth albums (with some wankery and that damn “power sound” added slightly by Friedman), but still manages to kick ass and ranges as their 4th great album in a row. The lyrics found here also deal with more socially aware concepts and paint some great pictures whether it be about aliens, wars, or Dave meets girl, Dave can't have girl, so Dave kills girl.
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due: Starting off with a more harmonic but still brutal thrashing riff we jump into one of the best tracks on the album, a multi parted diverse metal epic, which manages to show Megadeth's evolution, yet still capture the attitude and part of the sound of their former days. Along with some GREAT solo trading again, Friedman and Mustaine thrash in unison quite well with each other, despite Friedman's more wanking tendencies which are largely left out here. With lyrics centered around the conflict in northern Ireland, it shows more socially aware concepts instead of the drug fueled rage Mustaine used to spew forth. The ending piece of the song of is just crushing after somewhat of a slowdown in the mid part with two eyeball bursting solos thrown in, Megadeth meant serious business once again.
Hangar 18: One of the best tracks on the album with a pretty neat lyrical concept about aliens being hidden by the government in America. Quite the fretboard burning song (despite a mid paced opening) with some great snarling vocals from Dave. a groovy rhythm section, and some great leads with some beautiful solos (and a few face melting shreds at the end) whether they're in the mid paced middle section or the crushing speed jam at the end.
Take No Prisoners: Taking the elements employed by parts of the previous two tracks and just shoving them down into one crushing speed demon of a song, this is one of my favorite tracks from the Megadudes. With some bad ass gang vocals, a great bass drop/solo, pounding skins, and overall spitting unchecked aggression this literally knocks you flat and leaves you wanting more. This songs more brutal/simplistic approach is the beauty of it as opposed to focusing on more overly progressive elements, its good to see Megadeth is still pissed off enough to toss one like this at you. Not to mention, those skull crushing solos are firmly intact.
Five Magics: Basically an amalgam of the albums first three tracks, but sticking mainly to the epic formula laid down by Holy Wars unfortunately its this songs downfall though. With an asskicker of a chorus and some brain melting riffs and leads the changes come too frequently to focus on individual elements and when it does manage to stay the same (albeit with some great commentary and fills delivered by Menza which is what saves that part) it plods on too long between the different leads and just manages to lose your attention somewhere.
Poison Was The Cure: Sheer proof that they did indeed listen to Diamond Head every day for inspiration while making this album (actually if you pay close attention many riffs here are NWOBHM sounding in nature, but this particular track takes it to the nth degree). Starting with quite the ominous bass riff that comes at you like a wall of sound (especially when the riffs kick in) it's a pretty good song, albeit overlooked, that kicks it into overdrive early and stays there. It almost sounds like a lost track from either KIMB or Peace Sells. One of my personal favorites from this disc.
Lucretia: Ah, once again we hit on one of this album's flaws, that flaw being repeating itself, despite it being a worthwhile song on its own with a stomping mid paced groove, it calls on Hangar 18 and Take No Prisoners a bit too close for comfort at times. As for what it makes worthwhile the groove of the bass and drum fills here work in perfect harmony with a nice meaty riff that just demands you get up and do the blender with your buddy or otherwise thrash him around a bit. As for the repetition once it gets past the stomp your ass into a mudhole section you jump into the harmonic leads (which on their own are pretty good) but as a whole it sounds like a rejected piece from Hangar. Which, despite some great performances being given manages to keep it from being a classic (albeit a very memorable track).
Tornado Of Souls: One of the albums best tracks, this manages to marry the two styles Deth was dicking around with here rather than switch between the two rather schizophrenically, pretty much a perfect performance and a big showcase of everything thats great about this album and line up. The leads in this song are absolutely killer. Instant classic.
Dawn Patrol: A lot of people really seem to hate this song and just state it as a time filler (which it actually probably is) but it's a GOOD time filler. A nice plodding bass line along with a pretty cool yet different vocal style (reportedly he created this tone by drawing air over his bottom lip while biting down on his upper teeth) which actually reminds me quite well of being in high school and trying to talk while still holding in your bowl hit actually. But it fits the cryptic lyrics of an after nuclear holocaust landscape quite well.
Rust In Peace...Polaris: A more straightforward tune than some of the rest of the album, it closes it with some more threatening aggression with a pretty heavy groove and some great leads. Lyrics once again dealing with nuclear war, more specifically the Polaris missile, it works well as a closer that makes you wish the album was longer.

Countdown To Extinction (1992)
1.Skin O' My Teeth
2.Symphony Of Destruction
3.Architecture Of Aggression
4.Foreclosure Of A Dream
5.Sweating Bullets
6.This Was My Life
7.Countdown To Extinction
8.High Speed Dirt
9.Psychotron
10.Captive Honour
11.Ashes In Your Mouth
Review:
After the monumental fantastic thrash beast of an album that Rust In Peace was and with a steady line-up permanently in place, Megadeth entered the studio to record their new album with Max Norman as co-producer this time. Norman had previously mixed Rust, would become a driving force behind the band's next musical overhaul. The result of that overhaul had many fans screaming "sell-out" and "arena rock" over the album to which I say hardly. The REAL result, while yes commercially successful, is a tighter sounding more streamlined 'Deth with thrash roots still in place, but on the whole more classic heavy metal sounding with slower darker guitars, but with plenty of aggression still in place. Alot of this change and tighter sound should also be contributed to the fact that both Nick Menza and Marty Friedman as established band members and having proven themselves exemplary in their roles, have more influence on writing and even a few writing credits on the album. The change works quite well making the album both a smash among fans, critics, and billboard charts alike. Lyrically, Mustaine's geinus shines through once again whether its socially aware topics dealing with enviromentalism & politics, or mental disease his wit, intelligence and humor all shine through at their different points respectively.
Thats not saying ALL the songs on here are completely in the new sound however. Kicking off with Skin O' My Teeth with a classic Mustaine chugging riff and plenty of ass kicking & excellent solo's quickly showing the nastiness is still in the songs. Moving onto Symphony Of Destruction which is dark as a bastard with a once again pumping heavy riff driving the song and an infectious chorus to boot one of the best songs on the album, no wonder it jumped up the charts. Now this is where the problems with this album start to kick in, and why it won't be a complete track by track ordeal. Architecture Of Aggression has its truly awesome riffs and bass line and is easily one of the biggest classics on the album. After that though the album jumps into another mini epic Foreclosure Of A Dream while not by any means a terrible song, its really similar to the albums better songs and comes off as filler more or less. Also suffering from this problem despite their good parts are This Was My Life and Psychotron there's quite a few tempo changes elsewhere that are a little too similar as well. Sweating Bullets is another nasty little track that speaks of the Dethatude they were so famous for by this point with a rhythm line that pummels your eardrums into the ground. The spoken word parts that are generally complained about shouldnt be an issue for anyone who likes Dave's voice or is familiar with and the lyrics of those parts are quite humorous. The title track is a cool doomy/progressive sounding ballad almost, and despite being slower, is just as infectious as the more upbeat tracks with some great fingerlicking guitarwork to be had. High Speed Dirt much like Skin at the start of the album is another nasty fist pumping headbanger of a tune that Megadeth is so good at churning out. After the afore mentioned filler, you jump into the one two punch of Captive Honour and Ashes In Your Mouth that close out the album as good as Skin and Symphony open it. Not only dark and heavy as hell, but featuring equal parts writing from all four members these songs come out as heavy metal Megadeth to perfection solos, chugging rhythms, and drum commentary all intact and spot on, and plenty of venom to be had. The other real differences in sound here come in the fact that Ellefson's playing isn't as prominent here as it was on Rust so you won't hear any direct bass solo type playing. The majority of the solo's here (though there is still dueling and Dave solos to be found) belong to Marty which really has him shine as a player and lends him alot of creedence, showing hes more than tech wankery. Dave's rhythm playing is still great, but not as much of a shining moment as it was on Rust.
In short, it may not be the perfect Megadeth album but it is a GREAT Megadeth album and it should be in your collection. Whether its got filler or not.
Notes: The album hit #2 on the Billboard 200 in the US and #5 on the UK album charts. The albums video and radio hits, Symphony Of Destruction (#29), Foreclosure Of A Dream (#30), and Sweating Bullets (#27) all did quite well and the album quickly became double platinum as well as receiving a grammy nomination in 1993 for Best Metal Performace. They also released their second home video in Exposure Of A Dream which was set up in a way similar to Rusted Pieces before it containing all the videos from the Countdown album and band interviews.
Megadeth is the only metal band to receive the Doris Day Music Award (for the album's title track) presented to them by the Humane Society in 1993 for "spotlighting species destruction and the horrific 'sport' of canned hunts".
During this time they also recorded "Angry Again" for the Last Action Hero soundtrack, which was later nominated for a grammy in 1994. They also recorded "99 Ways To Die" for the Beavis and Butt-Head Experience album.
The tour originally started off with Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera opening in 1992. During the 1993 North American tour, Stone Temple Pilots opened. However, one month in the remainder of the tour (along with the Japenese leg) was cancelled due to Mustaine's relapse and 7 week rehab stint. Megadeth returned to the stage, appearing as special guests at Metallica's Milton Keynes Bowl Festival, the first time the former bandmates played the same stage in ten years. Mustaine remarked on stage that "The ten years of ox manur is over between Metallica and Megadeth!", but problems would later surface between the long-feuding bands. In July, Megadeth was added as the opening act for Aerosmith's Get A Grip US tour, but due to contractual disputes, and on stage remarks made by Mustaine about Aerosmith's "advancing" age, Megadeth was removed from the tour after just seven dates.
Also, I know on the remaster Crown Of Worms is added as a bonus, but originally it was a bonus on Youthanasia, so I am saving it for that review.

Youthanasia (1994)
1.Reckoning Day
2.Train Of Consequences
3.Addicted To Chaos
4.A Tout Le Monde
5.Elysian Fields
6.The Killing Road
7.Blood Of Heroes
8.Family Tree
9.Youthanasia
10.I Thought I Knew It All
11.Black Curtains
12.Victory

Hidden Treasures (1995)
1.No More Mr.Nice Guy
2.Breakpoint
3.Go To Hell
4.Angry Again
5.99 Ways To Die
6.Paranoid
7.Diadems
8.Problems

Cryptic Writings (1997)
1.Trust
2.Almost Honest
3.Use The Man
4.Mastermind
5.The Disintegrators
6.I'll Get Even
7.Sin
8.A Secret Place
9.Have Cool, Will Travel
10.She-Wolf
11.Vortex
12.FFF
13.One Thing (Japan Bonus track)

Risk (1999)
1.Insomnia
2.Prince Of Darkness
3.Enter The Arena
4.Chrush 'Em
5.Breadline
6.The Doctor Is Calling
7.I'll Be There
8.Wanderlust
9.Ecstasy
10.Seven
11.Time: The Beginning
12.Time: The End

The World Needs A Hero (2001)
1.Disconnect
2.The World Needs A Hero
3.Moto Psycho
4.1000 Times Goodbye
5.Burning Bridges
6.Promises
7.Recipe For Hate...Warhorse
8.Losing My Senses
9.Dread And The Fugitive Mind
10.Silent Scorn
11.Return To Hangar
12.When

Rude Awakening (Live 2002)
Disc 1:
1.Dread And The Fugitive Mind
2.Kill The King
3.Wake Up Dead
4.In My Darkest Hour
5.Angry Again
6. She Wolf
7.Reckoning Day
8.Devil's Island
9.Train Of Consequences
10.A Tout Le Monde
11.Burning Bridges
12.Hangar 18
13.Return To Hangar
14.Hook In Mouth
Disc 2:
1.Almost Honest
2.1000 Times Goodbye
3.Mechanix
4.Tornado Of Souls
5.Ashes In Your Mouth
6.Sweating Bullets
7.Trust
8.Symphony Of Destruction
9.Peace Sells
10.Holy Wars

The System Has Failed (2004)
1.Blackmail The Universe
2.Die Dead Enough
3.Kick The Chair
4.The Scorpion
5.Tears In A Vial
6.I Know Jack
7.Back In The Day
8.Something That I'm Not
9.Truth Be Told
10.Of Mice And Men
11.Shadow Of Deth
12.My Kingdom

United Abominations (2007)
1.)Sleepwalker
2.)Washington Is Next!
3.)Never Walk Alone...A Call To Arms
4.)United Abominations
5.)Gears Of War
6.)Blessed Are The Dead
7.)Play For Blood
8.)A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)
9.)Amerikhastan
10.)You're Dead
11.)Burnt Ice