Megadeth Albums- Fueled By Revenge

There is no arguing that Megadeth albums occupy an important pedestal in music. The band behind these works is largely credited for being one of the pioneers in the genre of thrash. This is a significant acknowledgement for the group considering the rocky path they have had to go through.

It is appropriate to say that the group’s story officially began with Dave Mustaine. In the nearly three decades that the band has been around, Mustaine has been its constant prime mover and creative force. At one point, the band leader was the lead vocalist, guitarist, lyricist and songwriter all in one.

Megadeth wasn’t initially in Mustaine’s sights. After all, he was already a member of a rising act, Metallica. To date, his own band still trails in commercial sales to Metallica. While playing for the rock hall of fame group, drug use took the better of him and this led to his exit from the group. Mustaine became so enraged that he promised to one day exact revenge on the group that rejected him.

His revenge came in the form of his own band and the future vision of one day churning out a Megadeth album that was better and faster than anything his former band mates could ever create that fans will descend in droves on Megadeth merch. The influence of anger and vengeance was so pronounced that the group’s early music and its official name came to represent annihilation and a million deaths. Being better than Metallica somehow meant playing so loud and so heavy as to leave listeners shocked and in awe.

Despite the strong drive though, drug use continued to accompany Mustaine in whatever he did. It reportedly even became a standard within the band itself. The band became so plagued with drug use that its members have come and gone in quick succession. The group has had 20 members and most left because of drug use issues. Some may have left for personal reasons but it was clear that the looming destructive power of drugs encompassed most musicians that had a brush with Megadeth.

Apparently, drugs became such a big deal with the band members that their first release in 1985, Killing is My Business… and Business is Good! almost didn’t come out because they used half of their already measly budget on drugs. They were however, able to self-produce the album and it was thought to be good enough to merit the start of a fan base.

Drug use and band membership problems endured but this did not stop the band from making more albums. They now have a total of 12 albums released. After their debut, they released Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying, So Far, So Good… So What!, Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, Risk, The World Needs a Hero, The System has Failed, United Abominations and Endgame.

Some Megadeth albums tend to sound a bit like Metallica albums. There are lengthy instrumental sections and guitar solos. This is perhaps because Mustaine has been with both groups. In the past, Mustaine repeatedly complained that his replacement in Metallica ripped off his style. Every Megadeth fan in a black hoodie would assert the same. Mustaine however may have partly buried the hatchet after adopting religious convictions.