Megadeth was started after Dave Mustaine, Megadeth's singer/guitarist and co-founder, was kicked out of Metallica. Dave
Mustaine, along with bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Chris Poland, and drummer Gar Samuelson, started what was to become one of the greatest metal bands ever. Their first album, "Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good" was released on the small Combat record label on May 5, 1985. It was not a huge hit and received no sales awards, but it began to build Megadeth's fan base.

The bands second release, "Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?" was also not a huge hit, but it was a good record and it was
Megadeth first release on Capitol Records, the label which they still record for today. "Peace Sells" was released on September 19, 1986 and was followed up by the release of Megadeth's first single, "Wake Up Dead" in December of the same year. "Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?" received platinum recognition in November of 1992.

After "Peace Sells", Gar Smuelson and Chris Poland left the band and a new guitarist and drummer were added to the band.
Guitarist Jeff Young and drummer Chuck Behler were added to the band for Megadeth's third release, also on Capitol Records, "So Far, So Good… So What?", released January 13, 1988. This album was a major disappointment after the obvious talent shown on the previous album, although there were a few good tracks, including a cover of the Sex Pistol's "Anarchy In the UK" "So Far, So Good" never received any awards, although two single were released ("Anarchy In the UK" and "Mary Jane"). At this point, Dave Mustaine had probably begun tempering with illegal substances, which would eventually almost kill him. It 2 ½ years and yet another line-up change for Megadeth to release another album.

On September 24, 1990, Megadeth released their fourth (and arguably best) album, "Rust In Peace." With the addition of guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman and accomplished drummer Nick Menza (son of jazz saxophonist Don Menza) earlier the same year on a cover of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" for the Shocker soundtrack, Megadeth had found their niche. The album was fairly successful, and it went platinum 4 years after its release in December of 1994. Two tracks, "Holy Wars… the Punishment Due" and "Hanger 18", were released as singles. Megadeth released their first home video, "Rusted Pieces" in April of 1991. Dave Mustaine's drug problems had become considerably worse by this time.

Megadeth's next album, "Countdown to Extinction," was released on July 14, 1992. It was a huge success, and was certified
multi-platinum in December of 1994. The released singles were "Symphony of Destruction," "Foreclosure of a Dream," "Skin O' My Teeth," and "Sweating Bullets." The home video for this album, "Exposure of a Dream," was released in November of 1992. At this point in his career, Dave Mustaine had a very serious heroin problem.

A year or so before the band began work on Youthanasia, Dave had a herion overdose. By the time he reached the hospital, his heart had stopper and he was basically considered dead, but the doctors revived him. At this point Dave sought help and moved to northern Arizona to begin rehabilitation. Dave eventually lost his dependency to drugs, but only after his drug counselor had an overdose and died from it (the song "Addicted to Chaos" is about this).

The latest Megadeth studio album, "Youthanasia," was Megadeth's first real instant success. Released November 1, 1994, it was certified plantinum only two months later in January of 1995. They built a brand new, state-of-the-art studio inside a warehouse near Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona to record it. This album was very different from the previous Megadeth albums in that the lyrics were more personal than they ever. The recording process was chronicled in a great video, Evolver, released in May of 1995. Two singles were released, "Train Of Consequences" in October of 1994, and "A Tout Le Monde" in February of 1995.

The limited edition album "Hidden Treasures," which featured Megadeth originals and covers from soundtracks and tribute albums, was released on July 18, 1995. Among the 8 tracks are a cover of Alice Coopers "No More Mr. Nice Guy," the first Megadeth release featuring the current lineup, a great version of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" from the "Nativity in Black" album, and some great originals like Diadems, originally released for the "Demon Knight" soundtrack.

Megadeth recently finished their 7th studio album "Needles and Pins" in Nashville, Tennessee. The album is said to be similar in
sound to "Rust In Peace" with a few more melodic songs. The album will be in stores this spring.

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