Megadeth Albums for song lyrics and biography.

	Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years (Megadeth - 2000)
	Risk (Megadeth - 1999)
	Cryptic Writings (Megadeth - 1997)
	Hidden Treasures (Megadeth - 1995)
	Youthanasia (Megadeth - 1994)
	Countdown to Extinction (Megadeth - 1992)
	Rust in Peace (Megadeth - 1990)
	So far, So good... So What! (Megadeth - 1988)
	Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (Megadeth - 1986)
	Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good (Megadeth - 1985)

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Megadeth Biography

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band led by Dave Mustaine. The group was formed in 1983, disbanded in 2002, and reformed again in 2004. Shortly after lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica due to alcohol problems and personality conflicts, Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson formed Megadeth. Mustaine became the band's singer and primary lyricist as well as lead guitarist. The band soon added drummer Lee Rash and temporary guitarist Kerry King (of Slayer fame). Later the same year, Rash was replaced by Gar Samuelson, and Chris Poland took over for King on guitar. In late 1984, they were signed to Combat Records, and in May 1985 they released their first album, entitled Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!. The band had been alloted $8,000 to record and produce the album, but spending half of that budget on drugs left much to be desired in terms of sound quality. Even with its relatively poor production, Megadeth's debut was a well-received album that blended elements of thrash/speed metal and jazz. In November 1986 they released their second album, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?, which is regarded by many critics as Megadeth's finest hour and a ground-breaking thrash metal album. Better production and more sophisticated songwriting earned Megadeth immense respect and a place alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax in the "Big Four" of thrash. Later the same year Megadeth signed with Capitol Records, who also bought the rights to Peace Sells... from Combat. Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland were fired from the band after a tour in Hawaii, amidst rumors of drug abuse by the entire band. Replacements were Chuck Behler on drums and Jeff Young on guitars. In March 1988, the new line-up released their next album, So Far, So Good... So What!. The album was widely panned and failed to capitalize on the success of Peace Sells..., with fans responding to only a few songs such as "In My Darkest Hour" and "Mary Jane". A cover of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy In The UK" on the album was particularly derided and was seen as a symbol of the whole album's failure. The lineup that had recorded So Far, So Good... So What! was short-lived, as Behler and Young were fired in 1989, replaced respectively by Nick Menza and Marty Friedman. This line-up became the most stable and successful of Megadeth's career, recording four well-received albums, and created Megadeth's reputation as a band that could not only play metal well, but also create more commercially acceptable offerings. The entire band's direction would change multiple times over the coming decade, as Megadeth attempted to beat their rivals Metallica by "softening" in order to gain mainstream acceptance as a melodic metal band, something that would embitter many long-time fans who had previously viewed Megadeth as one of the leading proponents of thrash metal. In 1990, however, Megadeth showed no sign of weakening. The band's fourth album, Rust in Peace, is still regarded by many as one of the most technically sophisticated and exciting speed/thrash metal albums of all time. Megadeth's characteristically caustic and catchy lyrics and raw, fast thrash-metal riffs were finally captured with a clear, precise production, which allowed all the nuances of Mustaine's guitar compositions to be heard. Much like Metallica's ...And Justice for All two years earlier, Rust in Peace showcased a level of technical complexity reminiscent of progressive metal. The classic Megadeth lineup, circa the early 90's. From left to right: Marty Friedman (Lead guitar), Dave Mustaine (Vocals, rhythm & lead guitar), Nick Menza (Drums), and Dave Ellefson (Bass guitar). In July 1992, Megadeth released the album Countdown to Extinction. It became an instant hit, reached #2 on the Billboard album charts, and went multi-platinum: Mustaine himself said that he measured his future successes against those of Countdown. The album featured noticeably simpler song structures, catchy melodic "hooks," and an increased emphasis on the singer's voice: the same steps Metallica had taken on their "Black" album (released eleven months earlier) to great financial success. Megadeth, however, successfully integrated these changes into their typical cynical, ironic and heavily political lyrical themes. The song Architecture of Aggression features the sound of CNN and ABC reporters excitedly watching and commenting on the opening shots of the Iraq war and Foreclosure of a Dream, a song discussing the recession and its particular effect on American agriculture, has the infamous "Read my lips" promise of George H. W. Bush (later to be broken) of not raising taxes. Arguably the album was Megadeth's first true attempt at breaking into the mainstream rock market that, like Metallica (until the Black Album), Megadeth had never gained a major foothold in. A huge frustration of Mustaine and the rest of the band was the overshadowing affect Metallica had on their own success, having re...
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