In the mid-1980s, American Thrash Metal band Megadeth was making massive achievements in mainstream heavy metal. With monumental metal albums like “Killing is My Business… and Business is Good!” and “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” Megadeth told the world that they were not here to mess around.
By the end of the “Peace sells… But Who’s Buying?” Tour, Lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine, and Bassist, David Ellefson had come into conflict with the overbearing drug usage of rhythm guitarist, Chris Poland and Drummer, Gar Samuelson. Leading to them both inevitably being fired from Megadeth. This led to stand-in artists performing in the studio for the creation of Megadeth’s Third album, “So far, so good… so what!”
As the 1980s were coming to a close, the band knew they had to do something huge, something beyond the current atmosphere of Thrash Metal. With their new lineup consisting of Lead guitarist, Marty Friedman, and Dummer, Nick Menza, Megadeth had no idea how iconic this new lineup would be.
In 1990 Megadeth would release their Fourth- and arguably most successful album, “Rust in Peace”. A truly legendary album that has not one song worth skipping. “Rust in Peace” would redefine the global Thrash Metal atmosphere and set Megadeth on track to become the iconic rival to the immensely popular Thrash Metal band, Metallica.
With such masterpiece work as “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due”, “Tornado of Souls”, and “Hangar 18”. There is no question why “Rust in Peace” rose to the fame that it carries today. The album is jammed full of peak Thrash Metal from cover to cover.
For metal bands across the world, the release of a hit album would be a dream come true. Many bands have gotten to this point and simply stagnated, playing the same hits night after night. Trying to relive the glory of their peak. However, for Megadeth, the spark fanned by “Rust in Peace” would become a blazing fire creating one of the most iconic and legendary 3-album runs in Metal history.
Following the immense success of “Rust in Peace”, Megadeth ran straight back to the studio preparing for their next album. And in 1992, They would go on to release their fifth studio album, “Countdown to Extinction”, which quickly became another massive success for the band.
Hits like “Symphony of Destruction”, and “Sweating Bullets” displayed a much more theatrical personality from the band, a more humorous and unique change of pace from typical Thrash bands. And other tracks like “High Speed Dirt” and “Ashes in Your Mouth” continue to profess Megadeth’s technical prowess, with an edge that only Megadeth could deliver.
After the “Countdown of Extinction” made its massive debut, Megadeth had truly earned their mainstream success, taking them to a household name status that only a few Metals had achieved before. This status was heavily reinforced by the band members themselves, with many fans and audience members finding a love-hate admiration for Frontman guitarist Dave Mustaine.
Mustaine is infamous for becoming fed up on stage. With many instances of, walking off stage in frustration, throwing guitars out of rage, and a personal favorite, back-talking mouthy audience members. The latter is famous for being attached to a rather crude catchphrase. After quickly dismissing a heckler, Dave Mustaine is often heard shouting “See, this is what happens when cousins f**k!” causing an uproar of adrenaline-fueled screams and applause.
With a massive army of loyal fans at their side, Megadeth would return to the studio in January of 1994, beginning the 6-month creative process for Megadeth’s sixth studio album, “Youthanasia”. Leaving the Los Angeles area, the band decided to begin recording in a new studio in Phoenix, Arizona.
A new location comes with new ideas, and there was no shortage of unique ideas in the creation of “Youthanasia”. The album’s hit single “A Tout Le Monde” features Dave Mustaine singing partly in French for the song’s chorus. The separation between “Youthanasia” and other Megadeth albums, is the abundance of personality and message in this release. Even the Album’s title is a play on words, for the decay of the health and welfare of our society’s youth.
Several songs on this album follow this theme, “Addicted to Chaos” and “I Thought I Knew It All” are strong in their representation of youthful naivete. Tracks like “The Killing Road” and “Train of Consequences” both stand as cautionary tales from harrowing states of life. One particular track, “Victory”, calls to the past of Dave Mustaine himself, referencing his swift removal from Metallica in ‘83, and the events in his life that transpired. Largely covering the progression and success of Megadeth. “Victory” is truly unique in its writing, filling the lyrics with the titles of over 20 Megadeth songs littered throughout. Each title is used to represent a different era of Mustaine’s life, with his monumental ascension against all odds. This song also features an incredible duet-style guitar solo, having Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine trade off their trademark techniques creating a masterpiece of a solo.
On Halloween night of 1994, Megadeth Released “Youthanasia” to large critic appeal, but much more than that, it instantly became a fan favorite album. Lasting to this day as a cult favorite among classic Thrash Metal albums. With the release of “Youthanasia”, a new era of Megadeth began, as now the band had been a mainstay among popular metal bands and a favorite among metal fans across the globe. They had now far surpassed the days of small west-coast tours and were now reaching all across the planet.
For the following years, Megadeth would continue to tour ceaselessly, still touring to this day. They just finished this year’s “Destroy All Enemies Tour”. As well, they would never fail to create amazing albums, never missing over 3 years between releases, With 2022’s superb release “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” serving as a show of force, and a promise that Megadeth can still write groundbreaking Thrash Metal, even after 40 years of shredding.
