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Megadeth was formed by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine and bassist Dave Ellefson, both of whom remained the only original members to stay in the group from 1984 through 2002. Early lineups featured guitarists Kerry King (Slayer), Greg Handevidt (Kublai Khan) and Chris Poland (Damn the Machine) among others. Of course everybody knows that Dave Mustaine was in Metallica for a short time before being booted out and creating one of the most well publicized fueds in metal history. Megadeth gave us some great speed metal in the 80's and they continued release heavy albums into the 90's. Like Metallica, in their later years, they began writing more radio friendly metal.
In April of 2002 Mustaine abruptly announced his departure from the band, and thus the dissolution of Megadeth, after nearly 20 years with the band. The triggering event was an arm injury suffered earlier that year, forcing him to stop guitar playing for a spell. Just over a year later, he regained his guitar-playing form thanks to physical therapy, and put together a new Megadeth project, withouth longtime bassist Dave Ellefson. Working with Mustaine on these new recordings were new recruits Jimmy Sloas and Vinnie Colaiuta, along with a guest performance from none other than early Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland. (Rumors even flew around that renouned drummer Terry Bozzio was performing drums on the studio recording, which proved to be false.) Unfortunately this created yet another well publisized media frenzy for Megadeth between Mustaine and Ellefson.
In 2004 Mustaine remixed and remastered all the older albums, inlcuding the MD45 project with new vocals by Mustaine. Some fans complained that parts had been changed and re-recorded as well. That same year the new studio album, "The System Has Failed" was released. The new band toured relentlessly for this new album with Mustaine creating his own version of Ozzfest, called Gigantour.
Megadeth - 1984 demo & Live At Ruthie's Inn, Berkeley, CA 11-3-1984
(CDR)
| 1984 demo 1. "Last Rites/Loved To Death" [demo] (4:33) 2. "Mechanix" [demo] (4:13) 3. "The Skull Beneath the Skin" [demo] (3:29) Live At Ruthie's Inn 1984 4. "Loved to Death" [live] (1:53) 5. "Mechanix" [live] (4:32) 6. "Chosen One" [live] (4:01) 7. "Killing Is My Business" [live] (3:06) 8. "Looking Down the Cross" [live] (4:50) 9. "Blood and Honor" [live] (5:05) 10. "These Boots" [live] (5:43) 11. "Next Victim"" [live] (5:27) 12. "The Skull Beneath the Skin" [live] (4:27) 13. "Black Friday" [live] (5:42) 14. "Rattlehead" [live] (3:57) |
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Ripped from an original demo tape, the first three songs on this bootleg sound better to me than the tracks on the remastered "Killing is My Business". The rest of this boot consists of live tracks from Megadeth before the release of "Killing is My Business". The sound quality here is, of course, crap. However, it's still a cool listen. Hearing Dave be his bad self in a small club in front of a small crowd of die-hard heavy metal fans is quite cool. On top of this there are a few rarities on here including an early version of "Black Friday" and a song titled "Blood and Honor". According to Dave's in-between song banter, "Blood and Honor" was originally to be the title of the first Megadeth album. This song contains parts of what eventually would be "Wake Up Dead". Cool cover art to boot and features a couple of shots of Dave actually shot at the Rutie's Inn show.
Megadeth - Killing is My Business...and Business is Good! (Combat) 1985
1."Last Rites/Loved
to Death" (4:34)
2."Killing is My Business...and Business is Good!" (3:02)
3."Skull Beneath the Skin" (3:43)
4."These Boots" (3:41)
5."Rattlehead" (3:39)
6."Chosen Ones" (2:52)
7."Looking Down the Cross" (4:58)
8."Mechanix" (4:23)
"Killing Is My Business..." was as ggressive as anything Metallica ever did; as a matter of fact this first album by Dave Mustaine and Co. sounds very similar to Metallica's thrash opus "Kill 'Em All". The reason for this, of course, was that Megadeth's Dave Mustaine co-wrote much of that album as well. The production on "Killing is My Business" is awful and the mastering, well, it is just as bad, but we didn't care at the time. It was metal; heavy, fast, aggressive and if you play it loud enough, it sounded good enough to crush a skull or two. "Mechanix" was actually written while Dave was in Metallica and is an early incarnation of "The Four Horsemen."
Megadeth - Killing Is My Business...And Business is Good (Loud) 2002 reissue
1. "Last Rites/Loved
to Deth" (4:41)
2. "Killing Is My Business...and Business Is Good" (3:07)
3. "The Skull Beneath the Skin" (3:48)
4. "Rattlehead" (3:43)
5. "Chosen Ones" (2:55)
6. "Looking Down the Cross" (5:02)
7. "Mechanix" (4:25)
8. "These Boots" (4:39)
BONUS TRACKS
9. "Last Rites/Loved to Deth" [demo version] (4:16)
10. "Mechanix" [demo version] (3:59)
11. "The Skull Beneath the Skin" [demo version] (3:11)
The 2002 reissue of Megadeth's thrash metal debut contains three bonus demo tracks. The eight original tracks have all been remixed and sound sonically superior to the original CD release. However, the new edits to "These Boots" are quite annoying. I would have rather they just left the song off than butcher it the way they did. It was funny the first time through, but the noevelty quickly wears off. The booklet contains interesting liner notes and comments about each song from Dave Mustaine and bassist Dave Ellefson. According to the liner notes, the new cover art is similar to what the band originally intended. I really never though the original was all that bad, but apparently Mustaine and Ellefson were "mortified" by the original cover.
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1."Wake Up
Dead" (3:39) This disc will ever be relegated to classic status. "Wake Up Dead" and "Peace Sells" were Headbanger's Ball staples for the longest time, and why not, they are phenomenal songs. Both songs shred and are filled with monster riffs and guitar solos galore. The whole album, however, is excellent. The lyrics on this album were typical of the stupid "look how evil we are" mentality of metal at the time, but songs like "Peace Sells" were the beginnings of more intelligent, political and/or socially conscious lyrics that Megadeth would soon master. "I Ain't Superstitious" is a charged up version of Willie Dixon's blues classic that was made famous by Howlin' Wolf. |
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1. "Into the
Lungs of Hell" [instrumental] (3:29) |
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At this point Dave was so strung out of drugs that it showed in his music. Dave's rage spewed forth into some powerful songs like "502" which is actually an anti-drinking and driving song. (?!?!) "Hook and Mouth" was actually a song written for "Killing is My Business" but was never recorded (except for some bootlegs) until this album. "Anarchy in the U.K." is a Sex Pistol's cover. My favorite tracks, however, are the shredding album opener and instrumetal, "Into the Lungs of Hell" and the thrashing follow-up song "Set the World Afire". These are both prime Megadeth!
Megadeth - Rust in Peace (Capitol) 1990
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1."Holy Wars...The
Punishment Due" (6:34) |
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This album is a masterpeice! Dave had sobered up and the music improved because of it. This is the first album with the now classic Megadeth line-up of: Dave Mustaine (vocals,guitars), David Ellefson (bass), Marty Friedman (ex-Cacaphony, guitars), and Nick Menza (drums). Friedman gave a new dimension to the already proficient team of Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson. In any case, the music is tight, fast, and the sonics are superior to anything up to this point. Every song is essential Megadeth. "Rust in Peace" has remained my favorite Megadeth album.
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1."Skin O' My
Teeth" (3:13) |
The Beatles had their "White Album," Metallica had their black album and Megadeth their superior "Countdown to Extinction." "Countdown" went double (or was it triple) platinum thanks in part to the incredible single "Symphony of Destruction." I've heard and read where people say that this album was a sellout, but I do not hear that. Producer Max Norman did an excellent job producing this speed metal masterwork. Songs like "Skin O' My Teeth," a song about botched suicide attempts, are just as fast and aggressive as anything Megadeth had done to this point. "High Speed Dirt," another fast and furious tune, is about sky diving. In any case, despite the cries of "sellout" this is a phenomenal speed metal album.
Megadeth - Foreclosure of a Dream (Capitol) 1992
1. "Foreclosure of a Dream" (4:17)
2. "Skin Of My Teeth" [live] (4:03)
3. "Foreclosure of a Dream" [edit] (4:00)I never could fork over the money for all the singles that Megadeth were releasing at this time. The cool thing about them was that they had live tracks included. I found this one used for a couple of bucks so I snatched it up. "Foreclosure of a Dream" is a political song about the decay of America and it's government. The intro to the live version of "Skin Oí My Teeth" is STUPID! Dave claiming the song is "about how many times I tried to kill myself and just couldn't get the job done." Nice huh?!?!
Also have the "Symphony of Destruction" single on cassette with a remixed version of "Symphony of Destruction" by Trent Reznor. Whoopy!
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1."Reckoning
Day" (4:35) Still heavy but lacking much of the speed and aggression of the past, "Youthanasia" was another commercial success for Megadeth. I actually really like this album. It's melodic metal with a slightly pop sheen. "Train of Consequences" is an excellent Megadeth composition. "Victory" is a cool song as the lyrics are made up of no less than 20 other Megadeth song titles. "Addicted to Choas" is a crushing, heavy song as is "Black Curtains." I think this album went platinum plus.
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Megadeth - Train of Consequences (Capitol) 1994
1. "Train of Consequences" (3:28)
2. "Crown of Worms" (3:21)
4. "Peace Sells" [live] (4:14)
5. "Ashes in Your Mouth" [live] (6:29)
6. "Anarchy in the U.K." [live] (4:09)A rare collector's single that remains essential to Megadeth die-hards for the unreleased song, "Crown of Worms". I have been told this song was to originally appear on 'Youthanasia' but was left off at the last minute. This would explain the picture in the insert in the U.S. version of 'Youthanasia'.
Megadeth - Hidden Treasures (Capitol) 1995
1."No More Mr. Nice
Guy" (3:02)
2."Breakpoint" (3:29)
3."Go to Hell" (4:36)
4."Angry Again" (3:47)
5."99 Ways to Die" (3:58)
6."Paranoid" (2:32)
7."Diadems" (3:55)
8."Problems" (3:57)
Not unlike Anthrax's "KillerB's," Megadeth released this ep of material that had all been released on compilations, soundtracks or whatever. "No More Mr. Nice Guy," an Alice Cooper song, was originally recorded for the "Shocker" soundtrack. The video for this song was banned by MTV due to Dave's portrayal of a person being electrocuted. "Go to Hell" was on the Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey soundtrack, "Breakpoint," a phenomenal Megadeth tune, appeared on the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack. "Angry Again" was a huge radio hit for Megadeth and originally appeared on the excellent Last Action Hero. "99 Ways to Die," yet another suicide song, appeared on the Beavis & Butthead soundtrack. "Diadems" was from "Tales from the Crypt" soundtrack. "Paranoid" is an excellent Black Sabbath cover and "Problems" is the second Sex Pistols cover that Megadeth has done. I sort of wish they would have also included all those live b-side tracks on this disc, but other than that minor complaint, this is actually a decent Megadeth cd.
Megadeth - Cryptic Writings (Capitol) 1997
| 1. "Trust"
(5:11) 2. "Almost Honest" (4:03) 3. "Use the Man" (4:36) 4. "Mastermind" (3:45) 5. "The Disintegrators" (2:50) 6. "I'll Get Even" (4:24) 7. "Sin" (3:06) 8. "A Secret Place" (5:25) 9. "Have Cool, Will Travel" (3:25) 10. "She-Wolf" (3:36) 11. "Vortex" (3:35) 12. "FFF" (2:38) |
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OK, I was still loving Dave and Co. at this point so I rushed out to buy this one as a new release. BIG, BIG mistake! Holy cow, this doesn't even sound like Megadeth as they jump head long into pop metal, or better described as modern hard rock. "Disingtegrators" is a fast number that brings back memories of days gone by, and "Trust" and "She-Wolf" are decent songs but the majority of this album is a let down, especially to long time fans. I guess Megadeth will have to cope with having 6 year old kids as fans as that is who likes this kind of stuff (not unlike Metallica's recent releases). The disc came with a cool collector's card with a pic of Vic Rattlehead, who use to adorn Megadeth's covers. I saw Megadeth on this tour and these new songs sounded a bit better live mixed in with all the classics.
The "Duke Nuke-Music to Score By" Soundtrack contains two stellar Megadeth cuts, "Duke Nukem Theme" and "New World Order." Both songs are excllent speed metal symphonies.
Megadeth - Live Trax (Capitol/Japan) 1997
1. "Reckoning Day/Peace Sells" [live] (8:19)
2. "Angry Again" [live] (3:46)
3. "Use the Man" [live] (4:24)
4. "She-wolf" [live] (5:52)
5. "Tornado of Souls" [live] (4:53)
6. "A Tout Le Monde" [live] (3:$2)The "Live Trax" EP was only released in Japan and features the classic Mustaine, Friedman, Elefson and Mendoza line-up. It's a shame this line-up didn't record a full live album as this was when Megadeth were in their prime. Of course with the number of live tracks on their various live EPs, they could release a pretty smokin' live album just by compiling all those tracks. Track 1 was labeled as "Reckoning Day", making "Peace Sells" a hidden track. Tracks 1-4 were recorded at the Mesa Amphitheatre, Mesa, Arizona, July 13th, 1997. Tracks 5-6 were recorded at the Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, February 25th, 1995.
Megadeth - Risk (Capitol) 1999
1. "Insomnia"
(4:34)
2. "Prince of Darkness" (6:25)
3. "Enter the Arena" (:52)
4. "Crush 'Em" (4:57)
5. "Breadline" (4:24)
6. "Doctor Is Calling" (5:40)
7. "I'll Be There" (4:20)
8. "Wanderlust" (5:22)
9. "Ecstasy" (4:28)
10. "Seven" (5:00)
11. "Time: The Beginning" (3:04)
12. "Time: The End" (2:26)
I should have given up on Megadeth at "Cryptic Writings" but I guess I hoped they would redeem themselves. Well, now I give up! This is pure commercial crap. "Crush 'Em" is an obvious attempt to overtake Queen's "We Will Rock You" in the sports stadiums of the world. Ah, I'm not even gonna waste my time reviewing this one. One of my favorite bands of all time take a total nosedive. I'm bummed.
Megadeth - Capitol Punishment (Capitol) 2000
1. "Kill the King"
(3:46)
2. "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" (4:26)
3. "Crush 'Em" (4:59)
4. "Use the Man" (4:37)
5. "Almost Honest" (4:04)
6. "Trust" (5:12)
7. "A Tout le Monde" (4:31)
8. "Train of Consequences" (3:28)
9. "Sweating Bullets" (5:04)
10. "Symphony of Destruction" (4:03)
11. "Hangar 18" (5:13)
12. "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" (6:35)
13. "In My Darkest Hour" (6:19)
14. "Peace Sells" (4:01)
15. "Capitol Punishment" [hidden track] (4:46)
Essential for one reason only, the two unreleased tracks "Kill the King" and "Dread and the Fugitive Mind". Of course the band included "Dread" on their next CD, so really the only song that makes this disc worth owning to those who already own the entire Megedeth catalogue is "Kill the King". Fortunately this song happens to be one of the best songs Megadeth has recorded in years. It's heavy and memorable, without sounding like some pop-rock, sellout, junk, like almost everything on "Risk". As for the rest of the 'hits' package, it is quite obvious that whoever chose the songs did not know, or care, what the fans would have wanted. I mean, where is "Wake Up Dead", "Angry Again"or even "Devil's Island." Why was nothing included from "Killing Is My Business"? Argh! How about some of the band's other rarities like "Crown of Worms" or "New World Order". I certainly could have lived without having "Crush 'Em" on this disc as well. Otherwise, the rest of the tracks included are good to excellent. I just wish they wouldn't have focused on the band's newer material and forsaken the band's first three classic albums. There's a hidden track, that starts about a minute after track fifteen ends. It's a bunch of Megadeth songs mixed together into a medley of sorts.
Megadeth - The World Needs a Hero (Sanctuary) 2001
1. "Disconnect"
(5:20)
2. "The World Needs a Hero" (3:52)
3. "Moto Psycho" (3:06)
4. "1000 Times Goodbye" (6:25)
5. "Burning Bridges" (5:20)
6. "Promises" (4:28)
7. "Recipe for Hate.... Warhorse" (5:18)
8. "Losing My Senses" (4:40)
9. "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" (4:25)
10. "Silent Scorn" [instrumental] (1:42)
11. "Return to Hangar" (3:59)
12. "When" (9:14)
Well this is more like it. Megadeth come screaming back with a release that fits somewhere between "Countdown to Extinction" and "Youthanasia." I seriously am enjoying this disc. Gone now is shredder Marty Friedman, but in his place Dave wisely added Al Pitrelli, yet another shredder who has previously performed in Asia, Widowmaker, and more recently Savatage. Back, however, is Dave's snake-like snarl and his mean guitar riffs. Kudos! Welcome back Dave, we missed ya! Also welcome back to Mr. Vic Rattlehead.
Ultimatum recorded a speed metal cover of "Moto Psycho".
Megadeth - Rude Awakening (Capitol) 2002
| DISC
ONE 1. "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" (4:12) 2. "Kill the King" (3:50) 3. "Wake up Dead" (3:26) 4. "In My Darkest Hour" (5:28) 5. "Angry Again" (3:22) 6. "She Wolf" (8:17) 7. "Reckoning Day" (4:24) 8. "Devil's Island" (5:06) 9. "Train of Consequences" (4:30) 10. "A Tout le Monde" (4:49) 11. "Burning Bridges" (4:56) 12. "Hangar 18" (4:45) 13. "Return to Hangar" (3:54) 14. "Hook in Mouth" (4:40) |
DISC
TWO 15. "Almost Honest" (3:57) 16. "1000 Times Goodbye" (6:14) 17. "Mechanix" (4:36) 18. "Tornado of Souls" (5:47) 19. "Ashes in Your Mouth" (6:04) 20. "Sweating Bullets" (4:38) 21. "Trust" (6:46) 22. "Symphony of Destruction" (4:50) 23. "Peace Sells" (5:22) 24. "Holy Wars" (8:51) |
I have been a Megadeth fan since their very first album and over the years I have continued to follow them and to buy all their albums as new releases. Had a live album been released with the line-up of Mustain, Ellefson, Marty Friedman and Nick Menza I would have rushed out to buy it too, even with the $20+ price tag. However, after canning Nick, and then Marty leaving, it's almost not the same band. I mean, Dave and Dave are Megadeth after all, but the line-up I described above, most fans would describe as the quintessential line-up and era of the band. "Rude Awakening" features the line-up of Mustain, Ellefson, ex-Suicidal Tendencies drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and guitar virtuoso Al Pitrelli. So, because of this and the fact that most stores were selling this disc for well above $20, I couldn't bring myself to buy it as a new release. Even used copies were selling close to $20 on eBay and SecondSpin. Well, I finally picked up a copy of this with a price tag of $17.99 with a gift certificate I was given for Christmas. Still a bit pricey, but more reasonable then $23. I have seen Megadeth live over the years a few times and knew that they would put on a stellar performance regardless of the line-up. However, no one can deny that there was also a certain chemistry between the band that seems to be missing from this live set. Having said that, however, "Rude Awakening" is a far better career retrospect than the shoddy "Capitol Punishment" compilation and certainly a fine way for one of thrash metal's finest band's to go out. Dave pulls out songs from every Megadeth album all the way back to the "Killing is My Business." The band sounds tight throughout this disc. Several songs feature extended solos, including "She-Wolf" which includes a dual guitar jam by Dave and Al and a drum solo that bridges "Reckoning Day." I was totally stoked to hear "Mechanix." Dave makes mention of there being two versions of this song, "their version" and "our version." Of course when Dave says "their version" he is referring to Metallica's "Four Horsemen" that he wrote for the band before they gave him the boot in the early 80's. Overall, a good live album and one that will see many spins in my CD player. Megadeth will always be remembered as the kings of speed metal that they helped pioneer, and "Rude Awakening" is a testimony to that fact.
Megadeth - Still Alive...and Well? (Sanctuary) 2002
1. "Time/Use the
Man" [live] (6:29)
2. "Conjuring" [live] (5:28)
3. "In My Darkest Hour" [live] (5:31)
4. "Sweating Bullets" [live] (4:45)
5. "Symphony of Destruction " [live] (5:24)
6. "Holy Wars" [live] (8:53)
7. "Moto Psycho" (3:07)
8. "Dread and Fugitive Mind" (4:26)
9. "Promises" (4:28)
10. "The World Needs a Hero" (3:54)
11. "Burning Bridges" (5:22)
12. "Return to Hangar" (4:00)
A bizarre compilation release from Megadeth with the first six tracks being live tracks and the last six tracks studio songs. The live songs were all recorded at the same concerts as the Rude Awakening material, but are alternative takes that were not included on that CD. The live versions don't sound all that different than the studio material, save for the crowd noise and the usual murky live sound. Still it's nice to have these tracks and the only reason I wanted this cd. The last six songs are all taken from the band's last studio album "The World Needs A Hero", acting as a sampler for that album. Why the heck did the band or the record company feel the need to put these tracks on here? I mean that album came out only a year or two before this release. Why not include some of the rare b-sides, soundtrack material or covers that have yet to see release on a Megadeth release. There are two excellent songs on the "Duke Nukem" soundtrack that would have been a killer addition to this package. Even the inclusion of the band's cover of "Never Say Die" from "Nativity in Black II" would have been cool. I just think it really would have been nice had this release been similar to Hidden Treasures, rather than just thrown together like it is. Perhaps "Hidden Treasures II" will be the next Megadeth compilation.
Megadeth - The System Has Failed (Sanctuary) 2004
1. "Blackmail The
Universe" (4:33)
2. "Die Dead Enough" (4:19)
3. "Kick The Chair" (3:58)
4. "The Scorpion" (6:00)
5. "Tears In A Vial" (5:22)
6. "I Know Jack" (:40)
7. "Back In The Day" (3:28)
8. "Something That I'm Not" (5:07)
9. "Truth Be Told" (5:40)
10. "Of Mice And Men" (4:05)
11. "Shadow Of Deth" (2:15)
12. "My Kingdom Come" (3:04)
Megadeth are back! The rumors that Dave returned to his thrash metal roots, however, are not exactly true. Megadeth haven't really been a thrash band since the early 90's, so I really wasn't expecting them to do "Peace Sells Pt. 2". These rumors were partly fueled by the return of Chris Poland on lead guitar and partly by Dave's own words on the Megadeth discussion board. What we do have with "The System Has Failed" is a nice mixture of the melodic nature of "Youthanasia" and the aggression and chugging riffs of "Rust in Peace." Thrash purists will probably hate this disc, but those who have enjoyed most of what Megadeth have done throughout the years should find it quite enjoyable. Songs like "Blackmail The Universe" and "Kick the Chair" are classic MegaDave metal, in my opinion. These two songs easily could have fit on "Countdown to Extinction" or "Rust in Peace". Both are heavy, up-tempo and will have most metalheads banging their heads within the first few chords. However, other tracks like "Die Dead Enough" and "The Scorpion" sound a bit closer to the melodic nature of "Youthanasia." "Something I'm Not" is more groove oriented and reminds me of the more recent Megadeth platters. Overall, the entire CD has this balance of melody and aggression, as well as a variety in tempo, songwriting and riffs that keeps the entire album intersting from beginning to end. There are a few songs that aren't really songs, such as "I Know Jack" which is a short interlude, and "Shadow of Deth, which is basically a reading out of the Book of Psalms, and probably Dave's way of announcing his new found faith. Lyrically, however, Dave seems to be attacking politics from both sides, which is probably justified. Overall, this is a fine return to form in my opinion, and a welcome return for Mustaine and Co.
It is also worth noting that this is the first Megadeth album to not have original member Dave Ellifson on bass. Unfortunately Dave and Dave are at odds with each other right now over legal matters. Here's hoping that these two guys can somehow manage to get past that and heal the wounds and restore an over decade long friendship.
Megadeth - United Abominations (Roadrunner Records) 2007
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1. "Sleepwalker"
(5:53) |
 Megadeth 2007 |
In the past couple years I have seen Megadeth live three times. All three times they put on a great show. The band was tight and their set list was peppered with a collection of all their past works. In all three shows, Dave played some new songs from "United Abominations". I always thought the new material fit into their set well and sounded as good, if not better than some of their newer material. Weeks before "United Abominations" was released officially, the songs had been leaked onto the internet. I decided to take the old fashion approach and actually wait for the album to be released so that I could crack that cellophane off and give the album a solid listen. I did the same for "System Has Failed" and wasn't disappointed at all. Whereas "System Has Failed" fell a bit closer to the melodic side of things (al la Youthanasia), "United Abominations" holds some of the melodic nature of Megadeth while leaning slightly closer to the thrashier, "Rust In Peace" era Megadeth. That's not to say that "United Abominations" is "Rust In Peace II" either. Far from it. Rather what happened is Dave added some speed and thrash elements back into the band's song writing. The best examples of this are probably album opener "Sleepwalker", "Never Walk Alone", "Your Dead" and the second half of "Burnt Ice". The riffs and songwriting seem a bit more complex, certainly moreso than anything since "Rust In Peace". Glen Drover's leads are simply outstanding. I also think that Dave has given us a lot of really good hooks, without sounding forced or cheesy. Tracks like "Sleepwalker", "Gears of War" and "United Abominations" are reminiscent of some of the more memorable material on "Countdown to Extinction". I also think that this album flows together as a whole very well, with one glaring exception, "A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)". I had read that this song was recorded as a b-side, but the record company insisted using it as a single since it features a duet with Cristina Scabbia. Personally, I like this song as it was originally recorded on "Youthanasia". This version is a cool alternative, but it is clearly a b-side and in my opinion should have been released as such. Otherwise, "United Abominations" is exactly what I expect from Megadeth. I can't understand how any longtime fan of Megadeth wouldn't find something to like here. "United Abominations" isn't "Rust In Peace II", but then who would want it to be? Why try to relive the past when the future sounds this good? As far as I'm concerned, Dave Mustaine has released a winner here.
Megadeth - That One Night:
Live in Buenos Aires
(Roadrunner Records) 2007
DISC ONE
1. "Jet Intro" (:36)
2. "Blackmail The Universe" (4:48)
3. "Set The World Afire" (4:47)
4. "Skin Of My Teeth" (3:22)
5. "Wake Up Dead" (3:46)
6. "In My Darkest Hour" (6:17)
7. "Die Dead Enough" (3:55)
8. "She Wolf" (3:28)
9. "Reckoning Day" (5:02)
10. "A Toute Le Monde" (4:24)
11. "Angry Again" (3:36)
DISC TWO
1. "Hangar 18" (5:07)
2. "Return To Hangar" (3:51)
3. "I'll Be There" (6:09)
4. "Tornado Of Souls" (5:36)
5. "Trust" (7:21)
6. "Something That I'm Not" (4:42)
7. "Kick The Chair" (4:11)
8. "Coming Home To Argentina" (2:59)
9. "Symphony Of Destruction" (4:15)
10. "Peace Sells" (4:54)
11. "Holy Wars" (9:58)
I have seen Megadeth three times in the last few years; during Gigantour 1 & 2 and their tour with Heaven & Hell. This live CD is a nice reminder of those shows. The band is tight and the recording quality is good. While Megadeth will probably never capture the magic they had with Dave Ellefson, Marty Friedman and Nick Menza, there is not denying the power of Megadeth's current line-up and this performance. Listening to this CD is like sitting there watching the band up on stage all over again. You can almost feel the energy from the stage that was captured on this recording. Even the crowd brings energy to this recording. Check out their enthusiasm as they chant through all of "Symphony of Destruction."
There are several songs repeated on this live album that were also included on "Rude Awakening", which was just released a few years earlier. Similar to that album, the track listing samples from most of the Megadeth catalog and reads like a greatest hits package. However, on "The One Night" there is a focus on "The System Has Failed", which the band was touring for at the time. The inclusion of "I'll Be There" from "Risk" was a surprise inclusion as well. Otherwise both albums have a fairly similar track listing. Personally I prefer this live recording to "Rude Awakening" from a few years ago. While both releases feature a tight band and quality recording, on "That One Night" Dave's vocals seem improved, especially on the more melodic material. On the older material Dave seems to have lost that snarl and snake-like hiss in his singing, so some of these songs don't come off as aggressive as they could have been.
My only complaint is that the packaging is rather cheap. The 4-page insert includes some words from Dave Mustaine, but no photos from the show. I suppose since this concert was also released on DVD that the record company didn't think a booklet with photos would be necessary. Personally, I prefer listening to music, so the DVD isn't quite as important as the CD to me.
Related
collections:
Metallica | Damn
the Machine | Chris Poland
| Marty Friedman | Cacophony
| Suicidal Tendencies | Widowmaker
| MD.45
Megadeth - So Far, So Good...So What! (Capitol) 1988
Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction (Capitol) 1992
Megadeth - Youthanasia (Capitol) 1994