HOME WEB NEWS IMAGES CLASSIFIEDS YELLOW PAGESPOLLS - SURVEYS WIKI COUNTRIES PHOTOS US UK INDIA
Cities Stocks Weather Movies Coupons Travel Blogs Health Horoscope Maps ASIA EUROPE Classifieds Yellow Pages
|
| Megadeth | |
|---|---|
 Megadeth live at Brixton Academy, London, UK, 24 Feb 2008. (l-r)James Lomenzo, Dave Mustaine, Shawn Drover and Chris Broderick. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Thrash metal Speed metal Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1983–2002 2004–present |
| Label(s) | Combat, Capitol, Sanctuary, Roadrunner |
| Associated acts | Metallica MD.45 Cacophony Savatage F5 Memorain Eidolon Black Label Society Jag Panzer Iced Earth Slayer |
| Website | www.megadeth.com |
| Members | |
| Dave Mustaine Chris Broderick Shawn Drover James LoMenzo | |
| Former members | |
| See: Megadeth band members | |
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, guitarist, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. Formed in 1983 following Mustaine\'s departure from Metallica, the band has since released eleven studio albums, six live albums, two EPs, and two compilations.
As a pioneer of the American thrash metal movement, Megadeth rose to international fame in the 1980s, but were plagued by constant lineup changes, due partly to the band\'s notorious substance abuse problems. After finding sobriety and securing a stable lineup, Megadeth went on to release a string of platinum and gold albums, including the Grammy nominated, double-platinum Countdown to Extinction in 1992. Megadeth disbanded in 2002 after Mustaine suffered a severe nerve injury to his left arm, but following extensive physical therapy, Mustaine reformed the band in 2004 and released The System Has Failed, which debuted at #18 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, followed by United Abominations in 2007, which debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
Megadeth are known for their distinctive guitar style, often involving complex, intricate musical passages, and trade off guitar solos. Mustaine is also known for his original "snarling" vocal style, as well as his recurring lyrical themes, often involving politics, war, addiction, and personal relationships.
As one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, Megadeth has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide,Megadeth - The System Has Failed. I Like Music review. Retrieved on 2007-04-22. including six consecutive platinum albums, with seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. In their 25 active years, Megadeth has had 19 official members, with Dave Mustaine remaining as the driving force, main songwriter, and sole original member. Megadeth is often mentioned as one of the "Big Four of Thrash" bands, along with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.
In the summer of 1983, just two months after lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica due to drinking, drug abuse and personality conflicts,Cecolini, Vinny. "Foreclosure of a Team", November 1998, Metal Hammer, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed January 20, 2007. Mustaine, bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Greg Handevidt, and drummer Dijon Carruthers formed Megadeth. Mustaine later said, "After getting fired from Metallica, all I remember is that I wanted blood. Theirs. I wanted to be faster, and heavier than them"."Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" remastered album notes. May 2002, Loud Records, 9046-2.
Fueled by the desire for revenge,Ling, Dave. "At the Start It Was About Revenge", September 1999, Metal Hammer, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed November 28, 2006. Mustaine elevated the intensity of Megadeth\'s music, speeding up existing songs such as "Mechanix", which Metallica\'s new lineup adapted into the much slower paced "The Four Horsemen". After unsuccessfully searching for a vocalist for nearly six months, Mustaine decided to handle lead vocal duties himself, while also serving as the band\'s primary lyricist, main songwriter, and co-lead and rhythm guitarist.
Early in 1984 Megadeth recorded a three song demo, featuring Mustaine, Ellefson, and Rausch, which contained early versions of "Last Rites/Loved to Death", (sample ) "Skull Beneath the Skin", and "Mechanix". Kerry King (of Slayer fame), covered a handful of live dates while a permanent replacement was sought. After just a few shows in 1984, Lee Rausch was replaced by fusion drummer Gar Samuelson.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006. On the strength of their three song demo, Megadeth signed with the New York based independent label Combat Records, and in December added second guitarist Chris Poland, a friend of Gar\'s from the fusion scene.
Early in 1985, the band was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album."Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" remastered album notes. May 2002, Loud Records, 9046-2. However, after spending half of that budget on drugs and alcohol, the band was forced to fire their original producer and produce the album themselves."Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" remastered album notes. May 2002, Loud Records, 9046-2. Despite the resulting poor production, Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, released in May 1985, was a well-received effort that blended elements of thrash, speed metal and punk rock.Huey, Steve. "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! AMG Review", at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Bregman, Adam. "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" Remastered version AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.
The album features the first of many cover songs performed by Megadeth; a speed metal version of Nancy Sinatra\'s classic "These Boots Are Made For Walking" (sample ), with lyrics altered by Mustaine. The song sparked controversy in later years when the song\'s original author, Lee Hazlewood, deemed Mustaine\'s changes to be "vile and offensive","Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" remastered album notes. May 2002, Loud Records, 9046-2. and demanded that the song be removed from the album. Under threat of legal action, the song was removed from all pressings released after 1995. In 2002, however, the album was re-released with a partial version of the song, though with the altered lyrics censored by a "beep". In the Killing Is My Business.. deluxe edition liner notes, Mustaine is strongly critical of Hazlewood, and notes he received royalties for almost 10 years before objecting to the altered version."Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" remastered album notes. May 2002, Loud Records, 9046-2.
In the summer of 1985, the group toured the United States and Canada for the first time, supporting Killing Is My Business... with Exciter. During the tour, new guitarist Chris Poland abruptly left the band, and was replaced by touring guitarist Mike Albert.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11 2006. Poland later rejoined Megadeth in October 1985 however, shortly before they began work on their second album with Combat Records.
Originally completed in March 1986, Megadeth\'s second album again suffered from Combat Records small recording budget, and the band was initially unhappy with the final mixed product. Frustrated by the small independent label\'s financial insufficiencies, Megadeth signed to major label Capitol Records, who also bought the rights to the new album. Capitol hired producer Paul Lani to remix the recordings, and in November 1986, more than a year after recording began, Capitol released Peace Sells... But Who\'s Buying?.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006. The album marked Megadeth\'s commercial and critical breakthrough,Huey, Steve. "Peace Sells... But Who\'s Buying? Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. eventually selling more than a million copies in the US alone.
Considered to be a landmark thrash metal album, All Music Guide cited Peace Sells... But Who\'s Buying? as "One of the most influential metal albums of its decade, and certainly one of the few truly definitive thrash albums".Birchmeier, Jason. "Peace Sells... But Who\'s Buying?" Remastered version AMG Review, at All Music Guide; last accessed November 23, 2006. The album\'s title track "Peace Sells" (sample ) was chosen to be the band\'s first music video, receiving regular airplay on MTV\'s Headbangers Ball. "Peace Sells" ranked #11 on VH1\'s 40 Greatest Metal Songs"VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", 1–4 May 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com; last accessed September 10, 2006. and the opening bassline was used for years as the theme for MTV News. Peace Sells... But Who\'s Buying? was the first Megadeth album to feature art by Ed Repka, who redesigned the band\'s mascot Vic Rattlehead to the current standard, and designed much of the band\'s artwork in later years.
In February 1987 Megadeth was added as the opening band on Alice Cooper\'s Constrictor tour, followed by a brief tour supporting Mercyful Fate in the US. In March of that year, Megadeth began their first world tour as a headlining act in the United Kingdom, which featured support bands Overkill and Necros.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006.
Audio samples:
| "Peace Sells" | |
 | |
| "Peace Sells" 2004 remastered version | |
After years of problems stemming from substance abuse, both Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland were fired from Megadeth in July 1987, following the final show of the tour in Hawaii. Mustaine claimed that Samuelson had become too much to handle when intoxicated, and even had replacement drummer Chuck Behler flown out for the last few dates of the tour, fearing that Samuelson would not be able to finish with the band\'s commitments.Gomes, Celesete. "So Far, So Good for Megadeth", August 1988, Rock, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006. Mustaine claimed that Poland had sold band equipment to fund his increasing drug habit, detailed in the song "Liar", which is also dedicated to Poland. He was initially replaced by Jay Reynolds of Malice, but as the band began work on their next album, Reynolds was replaced by his own guitar teacher Jeff Young, who joined Megadeth six weeks into the recording of their third album.Gomes, Celesete. "So Far, So Good for Megadeth", August 1988, Rock, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006.
With a major label recording budget, and producer Paul Lani behind the desk, Megadeth spent five months recording their third album, So Far, So Good... So What! The recording process was again plagued with problems from the beginning, due in part to Mustaine\'s ongoing battle with addiction. Mustaine later said: "The production (of So Far, So Good...) was horrible, mostly due to substances and the priorities we had or didn\'t have at the time".Birchmeier, Jason. "So Far, So Good... So What! Remastered Review", All Music Guide, at AMG.com; last accessed November 15, 2006. Mustaine also clashed with producer Paul Lani, beginning with Lani\'s insistence that the drums be recorded separate from the cymbals (an unheard of process for rock drummers)."So Far, So Good, So What!" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98626-2-0. During the mixing process, Mustaine and Lani had a falling out, and Lani was replaced by producer Michael Wagener, who remixed the album.Birchmeier, Jason. "So Far, So Good... So What! Remastered Review", All Music Guide, at AMG.com; last accessed November 15, 2006.
In January 1988 Megadeth released So Far, So Good... So What!, and while the album was eventually certified platinum in the US, it was initially panned by critics, with All Music Guide complaining that the album "lacked conceptual unity and musical bite", and that it "wants to sound threatening but mostly comes off as forced and somewhat juvenile".Huey, Steve. "So Far, So Good... So What! Review", All Music Guide, at AMG.com; last accessed November 15, 2006. So Far, So Good... featured the single "In My Darkest Hour", (sample ) with music written by Mustaine as a tribute to fallen Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. The song remains a fan favorite, and has been performed at nearly every Megadeth show since. So Far, So Good... also featured a cover verson of the Sex Pistols\' "Anarchy in the UK", with lyrics altered by Mustaine (who later admitted to hearing them wrong)."So Far, So Good, So What!" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98626-2-0.
In June 1988, Megadeth appeared in Penelope Spheeris\' documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, which chronicled the Los Angeles heavy metal scene of the late 1980s, mostly focusing on glam metal. The video for In My Darkest Hour was filmed by Spheeris (who also directed the "Wake Up Dead" and "Anarchy in the UK" videos), and appears in the final scene of the movie. In Megadeth\'s 1991 Rusted Pieces VHS, Mustaine recalls the movie as a disappointment, which aligned Megadeth with "a bunch of shit bands".Megadeth: Rusted Pieces VHS, released January 1, 1991 by Capitol Records/EMI, Inc, UPC 077774001335, at UPC Database; last accessed November 20, 2006.
Megadeth began their world tour in support of So Far, So Good... opening for Dio in Europe in February 1988, later joining Iron Maiden\'s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son summer tour in the US. Noticing problems developing with drummer Chuck Behler, Mustaine brought drummer Nick Menza in to act as Behler\'s drum technician. As with Gar Samuelson before him, Menza was to be ready to take over for Behler in the event that he could not continue with the tour.Doreian, Robyn. "The Big Four", September 1990, Hot Metal Magazine, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed November 16, 2006.
In August 1988, Megadeth appeared at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington in the UK, alongside Kiss, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Guns N\' Roses, and David Lee Roth, performing to an audience of more than 100,000 people. The band was soon added to the "Monsters of Rock" European tour, but dropped out after the first show. Shortly after that appearance, Mustaine fired both Chuck Behler and guitarist Jeff Young, and canceled their scheduled 1988 Australian tour. "On the road, things escalated from a small border skirmish into a full-on raging war" he later recalled, "I think a lot of us were inconsistent (on the 1988 tour) because of the guy we were waiting for after the show".Niles, Eric. "Rust in Peace", September 1990, Music Connection, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006.
In July 1989, Nick Menza was hired to replace Behler on the drums. Unable to find a suitable lead guitarist in time, Megadeth recorded a cover version of Alice Cooper\'s "No More Mr. Nice Guy" (sample ) as a three piece band. The version later appeared on the soundtrack to the 1989 Wes Craven horror movie Shocker. While the band was holding auditions for the new lead guitarist in the summer of 1989, Mustaine was arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of narcotics, having crashed into a parked vehicle occupied by an off-duty police officer. He entered court ordered rehab soon after, and got sober for the first time in ten years.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006.
Following Mustaine\'s new found sobriety, Megadeth began a long and lengthy search for a new lead guitarist. Those who auditioned ranged from Eric Meyer of Dark Angel, Lee Altus of Heathen, a young Jeff Loomis (later of Nevermore), and Dimebag Darrell of Pantera. Megadeth enlisted lead guitarist Marty Friedman, who had played in Cacophony with Jason Becker, and released a solo album on Shrapnel Records called Dragon\'s Kiss. Friedman was initially rejected by Mustaine for having multicolored hair, but after undergoing what Mustaine called "Rock Star 101", Friedman officially joined Megadeth in February 1990.Stix, John. "A Founding Forefather of Thrash", 1990, Guitar for the Practicing Musician, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006.
A revitalized Megadeth entered Rumbo Studios in March 1990 with co-producer Mike Clink to begin work on what would become their biggest selling album to date, Rust In Peace. For the first time in their career, the band worked sober in the studio, alleviating many of the problems faced recording previous albums. Clink was also the first producer to successfully produce a Megadeth album from start to finish, without being fired."Dave the Human, Mustaine the Artist", September 1990, Holy Wars... The Punishment Due single, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006.
Released worldwide on September 24 1990, Rust In Peace was a hit with fans and critics alike, debuting at #23 on the Billboard Top 200 in the US, and #8 in the UK.Rock Detector\'s Official website. "Rust in Peace chart positions", at Rock Detector.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. The album showcased a much tighter sound, with Mustaine\'s writing style adopting a rhythmically complex progressive edge, prompting All Music Guide to cite Rust in Peace as "Megadeth\'s strongest musical effort".Huey, Steve. "Rust In Peace Review", All Music Guide, at AMG.com; last accessed November 15, 2006. The album featured the singles "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", (sample ) and "Hangar 18", (sample ) both of which received music videos, and remain live staples. Rust in Peace went on to sell more than a million copies in the US, and received Grammy nominations in 1991 and 1992 for Best Metal Performance.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006.
Audio samples:
| "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" | |
 | |
| "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" 2004 remastered version | |
In September 1990, Megadeth joined Slayer, Testament and Suicidal Tendencies for the European "Clash of the Titans" tour, and in October, they were added as the opening band on Judas Priest\'s Painkiller tour, culminating with a performance to 140,000 people in January 1991 at Rock in Rio 2 festival in Brazil. Following the success of the European tour, a "Clash of the Titans" US tour began in May 1991, featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax and opener Alice in Chains. A European tour with Slayer, Anthrax, and German Thrashers Kreator (with a few live dates alongside Sodom and Destruction) came after as well. In July, Megadeth\'s "Go to Hell" (sample ) was featured on the Bill & Ted\'s Bogus Journey soundtrack, and shortly after "Breakpoint" was featured on the Super Mario Bros soundtrack. In 1991, Megadeth also released their first home video, Rusted Pieces, which contained six of the band\'s music videos, along with a video interview with the band.
In January 1992, Megadeth entered Enterprise Studios in Burbank, California with co-producer Max Norman. Norman, who had mixed Rust in Peace, would be integral in Megadeth\'s resulting musical makeover, pushing for shorter, less complicated, radio-friendly songs.Huey, Steve. "Countdown To Extinction" AMG review, at All Music Guide; last accessed November 20, 2006. The band spent four months in the studio with Norman, writing and recording what would become Megadeth\'s most commercially successful effort, Countdown to Extinction. The album was the first to feature writing contributions from each band member, and was even named by drummer Nick Menza.Summers, Jodi. "Deth Metal!", March 1992, Metal Hammer, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 22, 2006.
On July 14, 1992, Capitol Records released Countdown to Extinction. The album was an instant hit, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts in the US, and #5 in the UK.Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth album chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. Anchored by the Mainstream Rock hits "Symphony of Destruction" (#29), sample "Foreclosure of a Dream" (#30), and "Sweating Bullets" (#27),Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth singles chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. the album quickly went double platinum in the US, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 1993.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006. The album\'s title song, "Countdown to Extinction" also gave Megadeth the distinction of being the only metal band to ever win the "Doris Day Music Award", presented to the band by the Humane Society of the United States in 1993 for "spotlighting species destruction and the horrific \'sport\' of canned hunts".Humane Society of the United States\' Official website. "1993 Genesis Awards", at HSUS.org; last accessed October 13, 2006.
The band released their second home video Exposure of a Dream, in November 1992, continuing in a similar to fashion to Rusted Pieces, the release featured all music videos previously released from Countdown. Megadeth began their world tour in support of Countdown to Extinction in December 1992 with Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies, followed by a North American tour beginning in January 1993 with Stone Temple Pilots. Just one month into the North American tour, however, the band were forced to cancel all remaining shows, including dates scheduled in Japan, as Mustaine again fell into substance abuse, and ended up in the hospital emergency room.Chirazi, Steffan. "Trial by Fire", October 1993, RIP, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006. After a seven week stint in rehab, Mustaine emerged clean once again, and the band returned to the studio to record "Angry Again", (sample ) a song which was featured in the 1993 film Last Action Hero, and later nominated for a Grammy in 1994.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006.
In June 1993 Megadeth returned to the stage, appearing as "special guests" at Metallica\'s Milton Keynes Bowl Festival, marking the first time the former bandmates played the same stage in ten years. The pairing prompted Mustaine\'s on stage announcement that "The ten years of bullshit is over between Metallica and Megadeth!", although problems would later resurface between the long-feuding bands.The Realms of Deth. "Megadeth Vs. Metallica", at The Realms Of Death; last accessed November 16, 2006. 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.Ling, Dave. "Get in the Van", January 1998, Metal Hammer, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 21, 2006.
Audio samples:
| "Symphony of Destruction" | |
 | |
| "Symphony of Destruction" 2004 remastered version | |
Following their canceled US tour, Megadeth returned to the studio to record "99 Ways to Die", (sample ) a song that appeared on The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience, a compilation album featuring songs intercut with commentary by Beavis and Butt-head, released in November 1993. The song was later nominated for a Grammy in 1995 for Best Metal Performance.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006.
Early in 1994, Megadeth again teamed up with co-producer Max Norman to begin work on the follow up to Countdown to Extinction. With three members of the band now residing in Arizona, initial work began at Phase Four Studios in Phoenix. A few days into pre-production, problems with Phase Four\'s equipment forced the band to seek out an alternative studio. Mustaine, however, insisted on recording at his home state of Arizona, and no suitable recording facility could be found in time. At the request of co-producer Norman, the band opted to construct their own recording studio inside of a rented warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona, later dubbed "Fat Planet in Hangar 18"."Youthanasia" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98623-2-3. For the first time in their career, the band wrote and arranged the entire album in studio, and included basic tracks recorded live by the whole band at the same time.Merkle, P.J. "Megadeth: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", May 1995, Hit Parader, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 22, 2006. Recording of the album was captured on video, and later released as Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia.
Following eight months in the studio, Youthanasia was released on November 1, 1994, debuting at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the US.Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth album chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. The album was certified gold in Canada in just thirty minutes, and was certified platinum in the US faster than any other Megadeth album. With producer Max Norman still pushing for a slower, more commercial sound, Youthanasia followed the stylistic shift that began with Countdown to Extinction.Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Youthanasia" AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. While still retaining core metal elements, the album focused on stronger vocal melodies and more accessible, radio friendly arrangements.Birchmeier, Jason. "Youthanasia" Remastered version AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. The band even enlisted noted fashion photographer Richard Avedon to further their new image, dropping their jeans and t-shirts for more style conscious look.Merkle, P.J. "Megadeth: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", May 1995, Hit Parader, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 22, 2006.
A sticker on initial releases of Youthanasia advertised the then-new concept of a band website, affectionately known as "Megadeth, Arizona". Fans could chat in the "Mega-diner", correspond with the band through email, request songs to be played live, and read columns and tour diaries written by band members.Boerio, Jeff. "Megadeth: Online and Onstage", 1995, On Eleven Magazine, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 22, 2006.
Youthanasia\'s first single, "Train of Consequences",(sample ) reached #29 on Billboard\'s Mainstream Rock charts, and in November 1994, Megadeth appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing the album\'s second single, "A Tout Le Monde". (sample )Boerio, Jeff. "Megadeth: Online and Onstage", 1995, On Eleven Magazine, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 22, 2006. "A Tout Le Monde" also received a music video, which MTV refused to play, thinking its lyrics were an endorsement of suicide."Youthanasia" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98623-2-3.
Live support for Youthanasia began in South America in November 1994, and would span eleven months, becoming Megadeth\'s most extensive tour to date. The band was joined by Corrosion of Conformity in both Europe and the US, and Flotsam and Jetsam, Korn and Fear Factory in the US. The tour culminated with an appearance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Brazil, co-headlining alongside Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. In January 1995, Megadeth appeared on the soundtrack to the horror film Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight with the song "Diadems". Megadeth also contributed a cover version of "Paranoid" (sample ) to Nativity in Black, the first Black Sabbath tribute album. The band\'s version of "Paranoid" was nominated for a Grammy in 1996 for Best Metal Performance, Megadeth\'s sixth nomination in as many years.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006.
In March 1995, Megadeth released a special edition of Youthanasia in Europe, containing a bonus disc entitled Hidden Treasures. The bonus disc featured every one-off song by Megadeth, from film soundtracks, compilations, and tribute albums, including a new recording of the Sex Pistols\' "Problems". Due to fan demand, the bonus disc was released as its own EP in the United States and Japan in July 1995.
Following an extensive world tour in support of Youthanasia, Megadeth took time off late in 1995. Mustaine began work on MD.45, a side project with vocalist Lee Ving of Fear. The band underwent changes on the business side, signing with ESP Management, and hired a new "creative manager" Bud Prager, a previous manager of both Foreigner and Bad Company.Nalbandian, Bob. "David Ellefson & Marty Friedman Interview", 1998, Hard Radio.com\'s Shockwaves, reported by Hard Radio.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. As with Max Norman before him, Prager would go on to be highly influential in shaping the direction of the band. He pushed Megadeth further into the "commercial rock" field, and convinced the band work with Nashville pop producer and former Giant guitarist Dann Huff."Cryptic Writings" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98625-2-1.
In September 1996, Megadeth began working on songs for their next album in Nashville, tentatively titled Needles and Pins. The writing process was closely supervised by new manager Bud Prager, who also contributed musical ideas and lyrics to the songs. Many lyrics, and even song titles were changed at the request of Prager. Regarding Prager\'s writing influence, Mustaine later wrote "I figured maybe this guy (Prager) could help me get that intangible \'Number One\' record I so badly wanted""Cryptic Writings" remastered album notes. July 24, 2004, Capitol Records, 72435-98625-2-1. Due to a problem with the album\'s original artwork, the album cover was replaced with a "voodoo symbol", and renamed Cryptic Writings. The album is the band\'s only release not to feature the band\'s mascot Vic Rattlehead in any artwork.
On June 17, 1997, Capitol Records released Cryptic Writings. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200,Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth album chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. and was Megadeth\'s sixth consecutive studio album to be certified gold in the United States.Blabbermouth.net Official website. "Megadeth - Album Sales Update", at Blabbermouth.net; last accessed November 16, 2006. Cryptic Writings scored Megadeth their highest charting single to date, the #1 Mainstream Rock Track, "Trust", (sample ) which was also nominated for a Best Metal Performance Grammy in 1998.Rock On The Net\'s Official website. "Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance", at Rockonthenet.com; last accessed October 13, 2006. Press response to the album was mixed,Wiederhorn, Jon. "Cryptic Writings" Rolling Stone Review, at Rolling Stone.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cryptic Writings" AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Birchmeier, Jason. "Cryptic Writings" Remastered version AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. but the album would go on to score four top 20 Mainstream Rock Tracks, including "Almost Honest" (#8), "Use The Man" (#15), and "A Secret Place" (#19) sample .Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth singles chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. When asked about the eclectic nature of the album, Mustaine later said "We divided it into thirds. One part of the record was really fast and aggressive, one third of it was the really melodic, in between stuff, and then the final third was really radio orientated music like Youthanasia".Wiederhorn, Jon. "Last Men Standing", June 1998, Guitar World, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 13, 2006.
Audio samples:
| "Trust" | |
 | |
| "Trust" 2004 remastered version | |
After more than a year away from the stage, Megadeth returned as a live act in June 1997, beginning a world tour with The Misfits, and later touring in the United States with Life of Agony and Coal Chamber. In July Megadeth joined Ozzfest 98, but halfway through the tour, drummer Nick Menza discovered a tumor on his knee, and was forced to leave the tour to undergo surgery. He was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso, temporarily at first. Following the tour, however, DeGrasso replaced Menza permanently, after Mustaine claimed that Menza had "lied about having cancer".Ferres, Nick. "An Ugly American", March 2001, Rockmetal.pl, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed November 16, 2006.
In 1998, computer game development company 3D Realms announced that they would be using two unreleased Megadeth tracks on their promotional album Duke Nukem: Music to Score By. First was a rendition of the Duke Nukem theme song "Grabbag", originally composed by Lee Jackson, and second was a Megadeth song originally recorded in 1995, "New World Order", which later appeared on the remastered edition of Youthanasia.
Following the band\'s first real radio success with Cryptic Writings, Megadeth opted to again work with country pop producer Dann Huff in Nashville on their eighth studio album, which began in January 1999. The writing of the album was again supervised by manager Bud Prager, credited with co-writing on five of the album\'s twelve songs."Risk" album notes. August 31 1999, Capitol Records, 7243-4-99134-0-0. Prager convinced Mustaine to grant producer Dan Huff more control over the recording process. "When it comes to Risk," Mustaine later wrote, "there\'d been people in there playing and I wouldn\'t even know who they were or where the parts came from, and I\'m not used to that. I was a little bit intimidated by the success we had with Cryptic Writings, so when it came to creating new material after that, it\'s like being "power-drunk" - you want more. After the success with "Trust", I thought to myself "wow, we\'ve had a number one hit". We\'d had four top five hits in a row, so why would I not want to give Dan even more control when it comes to the producing part on the next record? So I did, and it backfired".Hjelm, Fredrik. "It Wasn\'t Fun Anymore", 2001, Shockwaves Online, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 21, 2006.
Released on August 31, 1999, Risk was both a critical and commercial failure, and led to a backlash from many longtime fans.Birchmeier, Jason. "Risk" Remastered version AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Metal-Observer.com. "Risk" Album Review, at Metal-Observer.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Music-Reviewer.com. "Risk" Album Review, November 1999, at Music-Reviewer.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.Billerey-Mosier, Roger. "Risk" Album Review, September 1999, at ssmt-reviews.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. Although recent Megadeth albums had incorporated mainstream rock elements alongside a more traditional heavy metal sound, Risk was virtually devoid of metal, featuring instead dance, electronica, and disco influences.Birchmeier, Jason. "Risk" Remastered version AMG Review, at AMG.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. Risk was Megadeth\'s first release since 1985 not to be certified gold or higher in the US.Blabbermouth.net Official website. "Megadeth - Album Sales Update", at Blabbermouth.net; last accessed November 16, 2006. The album\'s lead-off single, "Crush Em", (sample ) appeared on the Universal Soldier: The Return soundtrack, and later became an official NHL song, played during hockey games.Music-Reviewer.com. "Risk" Album Review, November 1999, at Music-Reviewer.com; last accessed November 16, 2006.
In July 1999, Megadeth recorded a cover version of the Black Sabbath song "Never Say Die", which appeared on the second Nativity in Black tribute album. They began their world tour in support of Risk in September 1999, playing alongside Iron Maiden during the European leg. Three months into the tour, longtime guitarist Marty Friedman announced that he would be leaving the band,Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11 2006. citing musical differences. As Mustaine later explained: "I told (Marty) after Risk that we had to go back to our roots and play metal, and he quit".Blabbermouth.net. "Dave Mustaine Slams Former Bandmates, Defends His Current \'Boys\' ", at Blabbermouth.net; last accessed November 16, 2006. Megadeth enlisted guitarist Al Pitrelli, formerly of Savatage, Alice Cooper, and currently of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as Friedman\'s replacement in January 2000.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11 2006.
Megadeth returned to the studio in April 2000, to begin work on their ninth studio release. However, one month into production the band was given the opportunity to join the "Maximum Rock" tour, alongside Anthrax and Mötley Crüe. Megadeth put the recording on hold, and toured North America throughout the summer of 2000.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11 2006.
Megadeth and Capitol Records parted ways in October 2000, after fourteen years. The label returned the band\'s newest recordings, and in return released a greatest hits record, Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. The album also featured two new tracks, "Kill the King", and "Dread and the Fugitive Mind", (sample ) both of which showcased the band\'s return to their metal roots following Risk.
Touring in support of The World Needs a Hero began in the summer of 2001 in Europe supporting AC/DC, followed by an American tour with Iced Earth and Endo in September. The tour was cut short however, following the attacks on America on September 11, the band were forced to cancel all scheduled dates, including a DVD shoot set in Argentina. Instead the band played two shows in Arizona in November, which were filmed and later released as Rude Awakening, Megadeth\'s first official live release. The DVD went gold on July 23, 2002. In February 2002, Mustaine remixed and remastered Megadeth\'s first album, Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, with modern mixing and mastering techniques used on modern metal albums, and added bonus tracks.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11 2006.
In January 2002, Mustaine was admitted to the hospital to remove a kidney stone. While undergoing treatment, he was administered pain medication, which triggered a relapse. Following his hospital stay, he immediately checked himself into a treatment center in Texas.Epstein, Dan. "Die Another Day", August 2003, Guitar World, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 21, 2006. While at the treatment center, Mustaine suffered a freak injury causing severe nerve damage to his left arm. The injury, induced by falling asleep with his left arm over the back of a chair, caused compression of the radial nerve. He was diagnosed with radial neuropathy, also known as Saturday Night Palsy, which left him unable to grasp or even make a fist with his left hand.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Megadeth Disbands Press Release", 2006, at [1]; last accessed November 15 2006.
On April 3, 2002, Mustaine announced in a press release that he was disbanding Megadeth, officially due to his arm injury.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Megadeth Disbands Press Release", 2006, at [2]; last accessed November 15 2006. For the next four months, Mustaine underwent intense physical therapy five days a week.Epstein, Dan. "Die Another Day", August 2003, Guitar World, reported by The Realms of Deth; last accessed October 21, 2006. Slowly, Mustaine began to play again, but was forced to "re-teach" his left hand.
In order to fulfill contract obligations with Sanctuary Records, Megadeth released a compilation album, Still Alive... And Well? on September 10, 2002. The first half of the album contains live tracks recorded at the Web Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 17, 2001. The second half of the album contains studio recordings taken from The World Needs a Hero.
Following nearly a year of recovery, including physical and electric shock therapy, "Interview with Dave Mustaine of Megadeth", July 20, 2004, Metal-Temple.com, reported by Metal Temple.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. Mustaine began work on what was to be his first solo album. The new material was recorded with session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Sloas in October 2003, but the project was put on hold when Mustaine agreed to remix and remaster Megadeth\'s eight album back catalog with Capitol Records. Mustaine re-recorded some parts that were lost over time, or altered without his knowledge in the initial mixing process.
In May of 2004 Mustaine returned to his newest recordings, intended as a solo effort, but due to outstanding contractual obligations with the band\'s European label EMI, he was forced to release one more album under the "Megadeth" name.Nalbandian, Bob. "Dave Mustaine Interview", August 28, 2004, Hard Radio.com, reported by Hard Radio.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. Mustaine decided to reform the band, and contacted the fan favorite "Rust in Peace lineup" to re-record backing tracks on his latest songs. While drummer Nick Menza initially signed on, Marty Friedman and David Ellefson were both unable to come to an agreement with Mustaine.Nalbandian, Bob. "Dave Mustaine Interview", August 28, 2004, Hard Radio.com, reported by Hard Radio.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. Regarding longtime bassist Ellefson not returning to the band, Mustaine said: "David lied to me in the press, he said that my arm injury was fake, went around town and slandered me. We made him a really good offer (to rejoin the band) and he said no. I mean, if I give you an offer and you don\'t take it, it means no, right?" "Interview with Dave Mustaine of Megadeth", July 20, 2004, Metal-Temple.com, reported by Metal Temple.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. The new album would be the first ever Megadeth recording not to feature Ellefson. To fill in for Friedman, Mustaine hired former guitarist Chris Poland to contribute guitar solos to the new album. Poland would only serve as a studio musician, however, as he opted to focus on his own jazz fusion project OHM.
On September 14, 2004 Megadeth released their comeback album, The System Has Failed on Sanctuary Records in the US and EMI in Europe. Heralded as a return to form,Birchmeier, Jason. "The System Has Failed" AMG Review, at All Music Guide; last accessed November 19, 2006. Revolver magazine gave the album four stars, calling The System Has Failed "Megadeth\'s most vengeful, poignant and musically complex offering since Countdown to Extinction".Megadeth\'s Official website press release "Megadeth: Announce dates for "BLACKMAIL THE UNIVERSE TOUR" and band line-up as new CD ‘THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED\' hits stores", September, 2004, reported by Megadeth.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. The album debuted on the Billboard pop albums chart at #18,Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth album chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. and was led by the single "Die Dead Enough", (sample ) which reached #21 on the US Mainstream Rock charts.Billboard\'s Official website. "Megadeth singles chart positions", at Billboard.com; last accessed November 16, 2006. Mustaine announced that the album would be the band\'s last, followed by a farewell tour, after which he would focus on a solo career.
Megadeth began the Blackmail the Universe world tour in October 2004, enlisting touring bassist James MacDonough (Iced Earth), and guitarist Glen Drover (Eidolon, King Diamond).
Megadeth in June 2005, 2004-2006 lineup. Left to right: Shawn Drover, James MacDonough, Dave Mustaine, Glen Drover. First touring lineup after Megadeth returned in 2004.
While in rehearsal for the tour, newly returned drummer Nick Menza once again parted ways with the band, as he was unable to prepare for the physical demands of a full US tour.Brave Words.com "MEGADETH Tour Manager Talks About Drummer Nick Menza\'s Departure", November 5, 2004, reported by Brave Words.com; last accessed November 19, 2006. He was replaced just five days before the first show by Shawn Drover, brother to new guitarist Glen Drover, and also a member of the Canadian thrash metal band Eidolon. The band toured the US with Exodus, and later in Europe with Diamond Head and Dungeon.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006.
Audio samples:
| "Die Dead Enough" | |
 | |
| "Die Dead Enough" - The System Has Failed, 2004 | |
In June 2005, Capitol Records released a greatest hits album to replace the now out of print Capitol Punishment, entitled Greatest Hits: Back to the Start, which featured the new remixed and remastered versions of songs from the first eight albums.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006.
In the summer of 2005, Mustaine organized an annual heavy metal festival tour, dubbed Gigantour. Megadeth headlined the inaugural run with Dream Theater, Anthrax, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex. Performances from the Montreal and Vancouver shows were filmed and recorded for a live DVD and CD, both of which were released in the summer of 2006.Megadeth\'s Official website, "Timeline", 2006, at Megadeth.com; last accessed October 11, 2006.
On October 9
