Megadeth

Megadeth

Biography

Megadeth are an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman and songwriter Dave Mustaine. Considered one of the pioneers of thrash metal, the band was formed in 1983 after Mustaine was fired from Metallica for his substance abuse.

The band rose to international fames in the 80's, releasing a string of platinum and gold albums, including the multi-platinum Countdown To Extinction. Megadeth disbanded in 2002 before reforming in 2004.

Megadeth are known for their distinctive guitar style, and Mustaine's snarling vocal style as well as his recurring lyrics that usually are political, war-drive, about addiction and more recently personal relationships.

They are considered one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time and have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.

Current Band Members

Dave Mustaine
Glen Drover
Shawn Drover
James LoMenzo

Former Band Members

David Ellefson
Marty Friedman
Nick Menza
Gar Samuelson (deceased)
Chris Poland
Chuck Behler
Jeff Young
Jimmy DeGrasso
Al Pitrelli
James MacDonough
Lee Rausch
Dijon Carruthers
Greg Handevidt

Discography

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)
Hidden Treasures (1995)
Cryptic Writings (1997)
Live Trax (1997)
Live Trax II (1998)
Risk (1999)
Capital Punishment: Greatest Hits (2000)
The World Needs a Hero (2001)
Rude Awakening (2002)
Still Alive...And Well? (2002)
The System Has Failed (2004)
Greatest Hits: Back To The Start (2005)
Unplugged In Boston (2006)
United Abominations ( 2007)

DVDs

That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (2007)

Links

official site

myspace

Reviews

Megadeth-That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires

Format: Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Live, Widescreen
Language: English
Run Time: 95 minutes
Track Listing:
01. Blackmail The Universe
02. Set The World Afire
03. Wake Up Dead
04. In My Darkest Hour
05. She Wolf
06. Reckoning Day
07. A Tout Le Monde
08. Hangar 18 And Return To Hangar
09. I’ll Be There
10. Tornado Of Souls
11. Trust
12. Something That I’m Not
13. Kick The Chair
14. Coming Home
15. Symphony Of Destruction
16. Peace Sells
17. Holy Wars
18. Symphony of Destruction (Alternate Version)

Review by Janine Macdonald

That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires was recorded in Argentina in 2005, where Megadeth are considered Demi-Gods. Coming out just before the release of their new album, United Abominations, its sole purpose may have been to give Megadeth fans a taste of what was to come.

One of the defining aspects of this concert at Obras Sanitarias stadium is that Mustaine announced during the show that the rumored demise of Megadeth was indeed false. However, it would not be the same band that would soldier on and release United Abominations. The band would part ways with bassist Jimmy Macdonough, recruiting Former White Lion axeman James Lomenzo to take his place.

That One Night is more of a Greatest Hits live, rather than anything else. Superbly filmed, it focuses on up close shots of their faces, usually while they are in the midst of a ripping solo. Seeing Megadeth perform to such an enormous crowd is awe-inspiring, and you can tell from the expressions on each band member’s face that they feel equally in awe of the crowd. The crowd sings loudly throughout each song, and even sing along with the guitar riffs. You can tell with each shot that the band is also feeding off the crowd’s energy, and loving every minute of it.

The shots also focus on the surround lighting, and of course the delight of their very enthusiastic fans. Director Michael Sarna provides a number of different camera angles, each cut nicely flowing into each other.
Unfortunately not so smoothly cut are the constant interruptions, and impromptu shots of Mustaine and Glen Dover performing acoustically. While it looks like a group of friends getting together for a sing-a-long rather than fans clamoring to hang out with their favorite band, it just doesn’t seem to fit well with the live concert.

Their older anthems get the biggest response from the crowd, and songs such as “Hangar 18” , “Wake Up The Dead” and “In My Darkest Hour” are performed with such fury that you can’t help but sing-a-long. “A Tout Le Monde” is without a doubt one of the crowd’s favorite, as well as one of my own, comes with an extended solo. Mustaine’s vocals are clear, and again, it comes with much close ups on the intensity of Mustaine’s expressions.
One person to look out for on this DVD is Glen Drover, who performs Megadeth’s blistering solos and riffs with such as ease that it’s hard to forget that he’s not an original Megadeth member. Both Mustaine and Dover work well together throughout the whole concert, forming a partnership that is one of comfort and ease.

One thing I like about this DVD is that there is little talking, and the band simply lets the music do all the talking.

There are no real special features apart from the extended “Symphony Of Destruction”, which isn’t too different from the original. It’s one that fans could live without hearing.

Rating: 4/5– A nice way to reintroduce Megadeth to their older fans, and a warm-up for what is to come with United Abominations.

Megadeth-United Abominations

Record Label: Roadrunner
Year: 2007
Track Listing:
1. Sleepwalker
2. Washington Is Next
3. Never Walk Alone…A Call To Arms
4. United Abominations
5. Gears Of War
6. Blessed Are The Dead
7. Play For Blood
8. A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)
9. Amerikhastan
10. You’re Dead
11. Burnt Ice

Review by Janine Macdonald

This is the first album for Dave Mustaine, and his new lineup of Megadeth on Road Runner Records, and from the first there is a sound to the band that is reminiscent of their earlier days.
The album kicks off with "Sleepwalker", and to be honest it was strange to hear Megadeth with such a heavy sound again. Since Youthasia, the band has had a lighter sound, but it seems that Mustaine has finally remembered that he was a pioneer of 80’s thrash metal and taken it on board.
In essence, the band go back to their roots. The sound is strong, solid, and pure old Megadeth. And more importantly there is attitude.
Mustaine has never been one to shy away from political issues, and you almost expect there to be a political feel to this album. Megadeth don’t disappoint with tracks such as "Washington Is Next", and "Amerikhastan".
Megadeth team up with Lacuna Coil singer, Cristina Scabbia to redo "A Tout Le Monde". The song has been speed up, and while it is a great version, it’s not the original by a long shot.
United Abomination’s has catchy lyrics and melodies that are reminiscent of Countdown to Extinction, aggressive guitar solos that don’t just start at the chorus-they’re at the beginning of a song, at the middle and at the very end, and plenty of aggression full stop.
There is almost a frantic energy to this album that has been missing on albums such as Youthansia and Risk.
While the album is never going to be like Countdown to Extinction or Peace sells….whose buying, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Fans that have been jaded with Megadeth and their later albums such as Risk may see this as redemption.
Tracks not to miss: "Washington Is Next", "Gears of War", "Never Walk Alone…A Call To Arms", and "A Tout Le Monde".
Rating: 5/5