Youthanasia - Megadeth

Discography Albums Released Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good   1985 Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?        1986 So Far, So Good... So What?! 1987 Rust In Peace 1990 Countdown To Extinction 1991 Cryptic Writings 1992 Youthanasia 1994 Hidden Treasures 1995 Risk 1998 Capitol Punishment 2000 Rude Awakenings 2001 Videos/DVDs Rusted Pieces 1991 Evolver 1995 Foreclosure of a Dream 1998 Behind The Music 2001 Rude Awakenings 2002

The first band who inspired me to care about music again, after years of not bothering, was Corrosion Of Conformity. The only other band which really stood out on Amped (the late night heavy rock show on cable at the time) was Megadeth - they were also a cut above the rest. Though I knew nothing about them, I was quickly able to identify songs by them that I had never even heard before. They were different from the other bands. There was a musiciality, a competence, an artistry about their music which made them so much more than the others.

I soon got very adept at picking out their filmclips - they also were in a class of their own. The only thing, in fact, which stopped me becoming an instant, raving convert was Dave Mustaine's voice. It takes a little getting used to.

But the music was too good to pass up. So I started my journey with Evolver, the video on the making of the album Youthanasia, and I may be one of the few people who started their Megadeth collection there. Certainly I had no preconceived knowledge of the finished songs as they ended up on the album, and I got to hear them built from the ground up - as well as getting a feel for the bandmembers as well.

Youthanasia remains my favourite album of all, but there are classic songs on every single Megadeth album.

Dave Mustaine, in a very real sense, is Megadeth. David Ellefson, bassist, has been with Mustaine almost from the very beginning of the band, and certainly remained right through until the end, despite numerous personnel changes, it's Mustaine's vision and lifeforce.

I actually had the priviledge of seeing Megadeth play, and I have to say it was the best concert I've ever been to. It was a dream come true, especially considering the timing. Megadeth came out to Australia in August 2001... Not more than 6 months later, Dave Mustaine had called it a day.

Links

The Official Megadeth web site
David Ellefson's official web site