The Brown Guy Blog Presents The Brown Guy's Favorite Track From Every Megadeth Album (With Close Seconds And Maybe Close Thirds)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 5:18PM I get excited really easily. Reading about Metallica and Megadeth, two of my absolute favorite bands in the world, is always great. Finding out that they are getting along and even jamming with each other? Yeah, boner inducing.
To celebrate all this happiness between the bands and metal fans around the world, I'd like to continue sharing my favorite songs from not-so-randomly picked artists that I like. Megadeth is up next people!
The Brown Guy Blog Presents The Brown Guy's Favorite Track From Every Megadeth Album (With Close Seconds And Maybe Close Thirds)
The same rules apply as they did with my previous post: has to be a true Megadeth album, not a compilation, best of, or live album.
Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! (released in 1985)
"Last Rites/Loved to Death"
A soft, piano open? What's thrash metal or speed metal about that? Evidently it's VERY thrash! It's such a brilliant way to open a song, and to a certain extent an album, because of the furious riffing that ensues! The song, like many Megadeth songs as it turns out, is about a relationship between a man and woman...a fucked up relationship.
If Dave Mustaine wanted to prove to all detractors that he was worthy after being expelled from Metallica, this was certainly the appropriate way to do it! (On a side note, the remastered version of this album almost brought me to tears. Not only are all the songs sonically better, the drumming by Gar Sameulson is exceptional. "Last Rites/Loved to Death" is a great example of this. Just a masterpiece of music.)
A close second - "Rattlehead"
I think "Rattlehead" is as simple as it gets. Great opening riff, the signature Dave Mustaine singing, and brilliant solo work by Dave Mustaine and Chris Poland.
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (released in 1986)
"Peace Sells"
Megadeth's second album, Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, is a stark contrast to Killing Is My Business in that the songs are more fleshed out with improved production quality. I also believe that Chris Poland and Gar Sameulson are on better display in this album. That would make sense since Dave Mustaine, the sole writer for most of Megadeth's music, must have found out what his band mate's limitations were. While Dave Mustaine's rhythm abilities are rarely challenged, I think it's fair to say that Chris Poland's guitar work is near brilliant. Even Dave Mustaine himself has admitted this.
Anyways, the song that embodies that band as a whole is definitely the title track, "Peace Sells". It has the buildup that you would want in a rock anthem, lyrics that are smart and engaging, and it has a brilliant finish. It's also an amazing song when played live.
A close second - "Wake Up Dead"
To intro an album with an instrumental is pretty ballsy, but then again we are talking about Dave Mustaine. While the song does have some lyrics, it's mostly a riff/solo-fest. A song about a boyfriend's fear of his girlfriend's wrath after a late night of partying, this song is always played live and always great. There are so many great moments too; tempo changes and Dave's use of his spider chord, it's hard not to like this song.
A close third - "The Conjuring"
I have always loved this song. It's about black magic and has a killer, finger tapping intro that helps with the creepiness of the song's subject matter. "The Conjuring" is pretty short, but it's always a great listen.
So Far, So Good...So What! (released in 1988)
"In My Darkest Hour"
Dave Mustaine will always be linked to Metallica. Nothing will change that. And it was a significant Metallica event that spawned "In My Darkest Hour". Dave Mustaine wrote this song, in one fell swoop, after hearing about the tragic loss of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. Having spent time with Cliff while Dave was in Metallica, the news had to be painful, so to have the ability to write a song this brilliant, this beautiful (even in it's darkness) is pretty amazing.
I should note, as Mr. Mustaine has numerous times, that the song was inspired by Cliff Burton's death. It isn't a tribute to Cliff. In fact, it deals with loss from a general sense and how one would take it. But beyond the lyrics, which are deep and beautiful, the song writing is brilliant. It's a slow build, which goes against the speed mentality of what was common with Megadeth at the time. But it's a good build, where the song has a good pace and then, WHAM! In your face speed and aggression. The lyrics even become more vicious and "to the point".
A close second - "Hook in Mouth"
"Hook in Mouth" was a song that had really cool pacing and solid rhythmic soloing, that's it. Turns out that it's a much smarter song than that. I've always appreciated that about Dave Mustaine's lyrics. They don't paint the usual pictures of the "dumb rocker wanting to girls" or "the stoner who can only sing about drugs". No, Dave Mustaine wrote about songs that mattered and that, shocker, made you think. Now I don't think Dave is above songs about "simpler" topics, but I think he is so opinionated that he HAS to express his feelings through song. And that's what makes "Hook in Mouth" mean more to me now. Using the back drop of the famous book, "1984" by George Orwell, Dave was essentially ripping on the PMRC and their ridiculous ban on music. This song didn't get the credit that Dee Snyder and Frank Zappa had during the PMRC trials, but it was poignant in the same way.
Rust in Peace (released in 1990)
"Holy Wars...The Punishment Due"
There is no finer album in Megadeth's discography than Rust in Peace. This album was, and will always be, the defining moment in Megadeth's history. A new lineup including guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza, together with Dave Mustaine (of course) and David Ellefson, wrote and recorded an amazing album. To pick a song as my personal favorite is damn near impossible! Alas, that is the task I have ordered myself to do! (BTW, this was the third official lineup change in Megadeth's history. The lineup for So Far, So Good...So What! included Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, guitarist Jeff Young, and drummer Chuck Behler. As you will find out, this was not the last lineup!)
To pick "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" as my favorite track is easy and I think might offend people into thinking I'm a noob. But name another song that works live, that can be used as the Megadeth anthem or help define the rest of the album. This song, along with the rest of the album, is complex in its song writing. But more over, it has the lyrics that, again, only seem to come from the intelligent mind of Dave Mustaine. This unique look at the crisis between Israel and Palestine (though not directly referred to in the song) is anything but fascinating. And the lyrics are beautifully painted with the same fury that most metal singers would have while singing about Satan. It's clever but in a good way!
A close second - "Five Magics"
Are you a fan of up tempo thrash metal? Do you like magic? Ok, how about brilliantly woven tempo changes? Well then, "Five Magics" is the song for ye. I don't even know where to begin. This song is complex in it's simplicity. There are multiple parts to the song, all of which of varying tempos, but the multiple parts are repeated over and over cleverly. By this I mean that the song has three main riffs, and yet Dave Mustaine constructed the song so that certain parts are played both fast and slow, giving the listener the sense that they are listening to a totally different arrangement at every turn. It's a smart use of simple riffs. Beyond that, the song is just pure pleasure to headbang to.
A close third - "Tornado of Souls"
Ah yes, another song about relationships in turmoil! The lyrics are cool, but "Tornado of Souls" is a simple rocker that is not only a fan favorite, but a song that features a solo that allowed all the various lead guitarist (from Marty Friedman and beyond) to showoff. It's really simple, this song is a great listen and well constructed.
Countdown to Extinction (released in 1992)
"Sweating Bullets"
Megadeth, thrash metal pioneers and kings of speed metal, recorded an album that not only was a huge shift from their previous albums but it proved that heavy metal, in general, can be radio-friendly but still have that drive. Ironically, Metallica did the same type of thing with their "Black Album". The difference, however, was that Metallica REALLY went the mainstream route where Megadeth somewhat tempered the attack. The album is heavy, for sure, but it has it's moments.
The coolest song, by far, is "Sweating Bullets". I believe the song is somewhat autobiographical, though I doubt Dave Mustaine wrote it that way intentionally. (If he did, he must've embellished a bit.) But seriously, the song is easy to listen to, has really smart lyrics, and a great head banging moment that is simply priceless.
Youthanasia (released in 1994)
"Train of Consequences"
Continuing on with the same vibe as Countdown to Extinction, Youthanasia was the same sort of thing where a lot of songs were tempered down a bit, but the heaviness was still there. That in itself is an amazing feat, IMO. Considering how psycho fast early Megadeth was, albums like Youthanasia forced people to appreciate heavy metal guitarist like Dave Mustaine even more. You can play fast all you want, but playing fast music isn't the same as playing good music.
"Train of Consequences" is one of those songs that tickles me the right way. The intro riff is classic Dave Mustaine, simple but complex in it's arrangement. In fact, the amount of palm muting applied creates a sound that some would think was created by tuning a guitar down. It's just so damn heavy! The remastered version includes a harmonica solo at the end that, at first, doesn't make sense. A harmonica, in a Megadeth song? But no, it actually works. And not only does it work, but it exposes the bluesy part of the song. Dave Mustaine doesn't play blues music often, if at all, but it's moments within "Train of Consequences" where you can hear the musicality in Megadeth.
Cryptic Writings (released in 1997)
"Use the Man"
Remember when I wrote that Metallica went more mainstream than Megadeth? Well, Megadeth waited a bit for Cryptic Writings! Cryptic Writings was the album where Dave Mustaine clearly said "Fuck it, let's go all in!" There are moments in the album where you hear the signature, heaviness that is Megadeth. However, the album is significantly slower tempo and, I dare say, pop when compared to Countdown to Extinction or even Youthanasia. But don't be fooled, this album is very well produced and VERY good.
While there are many moments in this album that are great, "Use the Man" is the best. The original version included a sampling of "Pins and Needles" by The Searchers, which led to the acoustic intro and Dave Mustaine singing the first verse. (The remastered version completely eliminates The Searchers intro and a lot of th electronic sounds in general. This is true for the entire album, actually.) The pacing is much slower, as mentioned above, but that doesn't mean that the fury is there. The song is about drug abuse, hence the "Pins and Needles" reference. It's a great song!
A close second - "The Disintegrators"
Simple and to the point. This song is fast paced, maybe the only resemblance to the speed metal sound that made Megadeth so famous. It's short too, has a punk vibe. I like it.
A close third - "I'll Get Even"
Without a doubt, "I'll Get Even" quickly turned into one of my favorite songs. And the most amazing part is that of all the songs on the album, this song is the definition of pop music. There is very little guitar in the song, from a "heavy metal" riff standpoint, and the emphasis on the lyrics...a guy getting even with a girl. So yes, it's another one of those relationship songs. But the song is so incredibly catchy that I can't help but gush over it anytime my iTunes library eventually rotates to this song.
Risk (released in 1999)
"Insomnia"
If Cryptic Writings was the album where Dave Mustaine decided to jump over the cliff, Risk was the album where he said "I'm jumping head first!" The album isn't bad or anything, but its VERY electronic. I like some random electronic music, but it's just not Megadeth. In fact, I listened to this album and wondered why people hated Metallica's Load album so much! But in all seriousness, while most critics and fans disliked this album I found it to be interesting and worthy enough to download it from Napster. (Fun fact, the first song I downloaded from Napster was "Insomnia".)
So with the complaints about electronic sounds not matching Megadeth's trademark style, it's obvious that I would pick a song like "Insomnia"! The song sounds like it was written with a drum machine and keyboard. While I'm sure that's partially true, there is the breakdown in the middle where the solo is playing and the rhythm guitar is playing a PSYCHO riff. Dave clearly left hints of his trademark style in the song! It's a great intro to an unusual Megadeth album, IMO, and one that takes very little listening if you are the hesitant type.
The World Needs A Hero (released in 2001)
"The World Needs A Hero"
Megadeth went through another major transition where longtime guitarist Marty Friedman decided he had had enough and wanted to go to Japan to write J-Pop (I wish I was making that up). Nick Menza had been dispatched prior to the Risk album. The replacements, Al Pitrelli on guitar and Jimmy DeGrasso on drums, filled-in admirably, though something didn't feel right. Regardless, this lineup produced The World Needs A Hero. This album's intent was to get back to Megadeth's roots. In other words, more metal and less pop. Initially I thought Dave Mustaine had succeeded. But it's clear that after listening to the album for a bit, this album feels more like Youthanasia than Rust In Peace. This isn't a bad thing, but just not the full return that everyone wanted.
With that said, this album had some great moments. Most notably, the title track, "The World Needs A Hero". The song's focus, to me, is about Megadeth's return to real music. In other words, Megadeth decided to drop the formalities and play music that just makes sense to them and their fans. "The World Needs A Hero" has a funky bass groove that backs Dave Mustaine's menacing lyrics. Entirely up beat, the song is a great listen.
A close second - "Silent Scorn"
I love instrumentals. When I heard this song for the first time, I almost cried. It's just a beautiful peace of music. A slow tempo song, Dave Mustaine plays an acoustic guitar, a pretty lead solo, and drums that sound like marching taps. To top things off, a brass section accompanies Dave and adds to that patriotic yet musical pep that is just brilliant. The song is short and lends itself into "Return to Hangar", making the song the ultimate breather!
The System Has Failed (released in 2004)
"Blackmail the Universe"
If there are two thing that Dave Mustaine has dealt with in his life it's tragedy and turmoil. A lot happened between The World Needs A Hero and The System Has Failed: band tensions mount, Dave Mustaine loses the feeling in his left arm, the band disbands, Dave remasters original albums, Dave goes through rehab, Dave becomes a born again Christian, and Dave's future is in question. There were talks about Dave Mustaine going into the role of producer or that a solo album would be released going forward. (I say true solo album as Dave Mustaine had released MD.45 as a weird punk album and, well, just look it up and read about it!) With all this, Megadeth was not meant to return.
There is a third thing that can describe Dave Mustaine throughout his life and career...he is a fighter. He was booted from Metallica, he had numerous lineup changes, and had to deal with a severe drug addition. Dave Mustaine fought through it all. If this was to be Dave Mustaine's last hurrah, I would've still applauded him.
As we were soon to learn, Dave was from from finished! Through legal obligations and to appease fans, Dave Mustaine released a Megadeth album with session musicians. Chris Poland, having squashed previous beefs with Dave, provided lead solos on the album as well. This was supposed to be Megadeth's last album and the tour that followed would be a farewell type of tour. Clearly, that wasn't the case (and thank God for that!).
While the album was heavier than The World Needs A Hero, it wasn't the most amazing album I had heard from Megadeth. However, the opener is just marvelous! "Blackmail the Universe" starts with a plane crash and then into straight riffing. A female voice is heard immediately over the riff, reporting as if the President Bush and other high ranking officials had parrished. What a way to return to form Dave! The song has everything Megadeth is known for, insane riffs, great solos, and balls out singing. A successful song and one that proved Dave had not lost anything from his arm injury.
United Abominations (released in 2007)
"Burnt Ice"
The System Had Failed proved to be a rebirth for Megadeth. It was odd at first as the lineup was totally different (i.e. no David Ellefson). The lineup that toured with Dave Mustaine changed a bit (Megadeth lost bassist James MacDonough and gained James LoMenzo), but since the tour was successful and Dave felt comfortable with them, he decided to record a new album. The end result, United Abominations.
This was a great album overall and, IMO, the TRUE thrash metal return of mighty Megadeth. All of the songs on here are great. My favorite, however, has to be the closer "Burnt Ice". A song that, lyrically, is about drug abuse but musically is about Dave Mustaine's ability to shred. I feel like the song was written just so Dave could shred...and shred he does! It's short and sweet but it has a great feel throughout. Definitely worth the listen.
A close second - "Sleepwalker"
An amazing intro to an album, the song is fast paced throughout and has a midsection that would make most metalheads proud. It has a lot going for it and the subject matter is very creepy (someone dreaming about a variety of ways to kill people), making it the perfect Megadeth song!
A close third - "United Abominations"
"United Abominations" embodies the spirit of "Peace Sells". The message is clear, fight for your rights and let the "Man" know that you won't take their shit anymore! It has a somewhat downer vibe, but the world had changed and Dave was simply reflecting the changes and disgust that many people were feeling about the country (and are still feeling).
Endgame (released in 2009)
"1,320'"
Endgame brought more change. Glen Dover, the lead guitarist that originally was hired to tour with Megadeth for the presumed farewell tour and was featured on United Abominations, left the band for personal reasons. (Awkwardly enough, his older brother Shawn Dover remains as the drummer.) This exit allowed Chris Broderick to join. Wow! Look up some of Chris Broderick's YouTube videos, the guy is impressive and Dave clearly saw the opportunity to show off his new guitarist. When recording Endgame, Dave Mustaine must've said "Hey Chris, why don't you shred here, here, EVERYWHERE!"
The result is an album that, while mostly good, contains some of the most furious riffing and shredding that hasn't been heard from Megadeth in years! This frenetic energy is shared in songs like "1,320'". The song sounds like it's about intense drag racing, though it's REALLY about funny car racing. Either way, the tempo is fast paced and fun to listen to.
A close second - "The Right To Go Insane"
"The Right To Go Insane", I believe, is about a real incident that took place many years ago in California. I don't know. What I do know is that this song contains the menacing lyrics and song writing that makes me envy Dave. One listen and you may feel like riding a tank down main street as well!
A close third - "Dialectic Chaos"
"Dialectic Chaos" is a shredfest. It might as well be called "Megadeth introduces Chris Broderick"! Since this is an instrumental, most of the phrasing comes from Chris Broderick's solos. (Dave Mustaine has a few solos, but he clearly paved the way for Chris Broderick to showoff...which he does!)
Th1rt3en (released in 2011)
"Black Swan"
The latest and greatest from Megadeth, Th1rt3en. The album is a continuation of Endgame with one major exception...David Ellefson! (James LoMenzo left during the tour for Endgame. Honestly, the world feels right with David returning to Megadeth. The only thing better would be a Rust In Peace lineup reunion!) Th1rt3en features 13 songs, naturally, and many of these songs had been featured as B-sides to singles or were in demo form before. But for me, the song that currently stands out is "Black Swan".
"Black Swan" has nothing to do with the movie, but is just as good. And there is only one way to describe the song's riff...pretty. It's a bit homo to say, I know, but the intro and overall feel has to be one of the most most beautifully written riffs ever. And just in case you think it's a slow tempo song, it's actually up-tempo. This is the type of song writing that only Dave Mustaine can pull off...and he does it again with ease.
There you have it. You can agree, disagree, or agree to disagree. It's my list and my opinions so don't take this to fucking seriously.