Megadeth
- DAY: 07.06
- STAGE: Main Stage
- GENRE: death metal
- COUNTRY: USA
The impulse behind Megadeth’s inception was Dave Mustaine’s desire to take revenge on his former bandmates and to show the world who really rules. 40 intense and rocky years have proven that he is one of the best. Without him, thrash metal wouldn’t be the same. Not just thrash, metal overall. This indefatigable band of the fair-haired guitar master hand is one of the biggest and most inspiring bands in the history of the genre. “Symphony of Destruction”? “Hangar 18”? Or maybe “Peace Sells”? Who doesn’t know these immortal classics. They couldn’t have been recorded by just anyone.
History:
When in 1983 Metallica was edging towards the release of their debut Kill ‘Em All, the freshly kicked-out guitarist was scheming his way into world domination. This is the beginning of Megadeth’s story. Dave Mustaine started on his own, but he quickly crossed paths with the bassist, Dave Ellefson, who would become his years-long partner and other musicians. After some initial line-up changes and the inclusion of Chris Poland and Gary Samuelson, the band got things moving quickly. In 1984, they recorded the demo “Last Rites” and signed with Combat Records, the label under which a year later they released their debut album – “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!”.
Although the first album was well received (particularly, in the then-dynamically developing thrash metal circles), real success was waiting just around the corner. In 1986, Megadeth released their sophomore album, Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, and on its back the band stormed into the metal mainstream. The title track as well as “Wake Up Dead” (both spurring music videos) were huge hits and often played on MTV.
The band’s next record, the underappreciated “So Far, So Good… So What!”, was released two years later and despite its substantial commercial success, it did not measure up to its predecessor. The fourth album, however, “Rust in Peace”, only elevated the already-impressive level of Megadeth’s fame, being the band’s first album to go platinum. The band reached their commercial apex two years later with “Countdown to Extinction”. The multi-platinum record immediately became Megadeth’s most popular album and “Symphony of Destruction” – their biggest hit.
The latter part of the 90s, despite successes such as the good reception of the albums “Youthanasia and Cryptic Writing”, saw Megadeth in crisis. The record that the band closed the decade with, Risk, was pummelled by both fans and critics.
The band’s subsequent material, recorded in the 21st century, enjoyed a lot more favourable reception. Starting with “The World Needs a Hero” up until “The Sick, The Dying… and the Dead!”, Megadeth has been playing in full swing (with the exception of “Super Collider”) the thrash metal that has made them famous – and their legions of fans have grown with new generations of listeners.
Megadeth’s current position calls for the highest of praises – they are one of the biggest metal bands in history, still enjoying immense popularity. The band’s latest record is “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” from 2022.
Discography:
Studio albums:
Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, 1985
Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, 1986
So Far, So Good… So What!, 1988
Rust in Peace, 1990
Countdown to Extinction, 1992
Youthanasia, 1994
Cryptic Writings, 1997
Risk, 1999
The World Needs a Hero, 2001
The System Has Failed, 2004
United Abominations, 2007
Endgame, 2009
Th1rt3en, 2011
Super Collider, 2013
Dystopia, 2016
The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!, 2022
EPs:
Limited Edition! Megadeth Live, 1992
Cyberarmy Exclusive Tracks, 1996
Live Trax, 1997
Cryptic Sounds (No Voices in Your Head), 1998
Breadline, 2000
Deep Cuts, 2009
Demos:
Last Rites, 1984
Single:
Wake Up Dead, 1986
Anarchy in the U.K., 1988
Mary Jane, 1988
Liar, 1988
Holy Wars… The Punishment Due, 1990
Hangar 18, 1991
Symphony of Destruction, 1992
Skin o’ My Teeth, 1992
Foreclosure of a Dream, 1992
99 Ways to Die, 1993
Sweating Bullets, 1993
The Story of Megadeth, 1994
Train of Consequences, 1994
À Tout le Monde, 1995
Trust, 1997
Use the Man, 1998
Insomnia, 1999
Blackmail the Universe, 2004
Die Dead Enough, 2004
Of Mice and Men, 2004
Gears of War, 2006
Washington Is Next!, 2007
À tout le monde (Set Me Free), 2007
Head Crusher, 2009
Sudden Death, 2010
Never Dead, 2011
Public Enemy No. 1, 2011
Super Collider, 2013
Fatal Illusion, 2015
The Threat Is Real, 2015
We’ll Be Back, 2022
Delivering the Goods, 2022
Splits:
No More Mr. Nice Guy, 1989 (z Dead On)
The Mondo Metal Box: Empire / Rust In Peace, 1991 (z Queensrÿche)
Metalbound, 1992 (z Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, W.A.S.P, Slaughter i Degenerates)
Last Action Hero Sampler, 1993 (z Anthrax, Alice In Chains, Tesla i Cypress Hill)
Selections from Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath, 1994 (z Sepulturą, White Zombie i Biohazard)
Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight, 1994 (z Machine Head, Biohazard, Ministry i Gravediggaz)
Radio Force 1, 1997 (z Sepulturą, Machine Head i Angrą)
A Secret Place (Edit) / Peanut Butter & Jelly, 1998 (z Beastie Boys)
Less than Jake / Megadeth, 1999 (z Less than Jake)
Fono Rocks!, 2000 (z Pain, Apocalypticą, Farmer Boys, The Hellacopters i The Wallflowers))
Maximum Rock Tour, 2000 (z Anthrax i Mötley Crüe)
Maximum Rock Tour Sampler, 2000 (z Anthrax i Mötley Crüe)
More Deth, 2001 (z Halford, Corrosion of Conformity, W.A.S.P i Dust to Dust)
Live albums:
Rude Awakening, 2002
Unplugged in Philly, 2004
Unplugged in Boston, 2006
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires, 2007
The Big 4: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria, 2010
Countdown to Extinction: Live, 2013
No More Mistakes (Live 1994), 2020
Compilations:
Hidden Treasures, 1995
Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years, 2000
Still, Alive… and Well?, 2002
Greatest Hits: Back to the Start, 2005
Extended Versions, 2007
Anthology: Set the World Afire, 2008
Rust in Peace / Coundtown to Extinction, 2012
Icon, 2014
Coundtown to Extinction / Rust in Peace, 2014
Warheads on Foreheads, 2019
