Megadeth

American heavy metal band formed in 1983. After [Dave Mustaine]? (vocals, guitar in Megadeth) got fired from Metallica, he got together with [David Ellefson]? (bass), Slayer?'s [Kerry King]? (guitars) and Lee Rash (drums) to form Megadeth. Lee Rash was later the same year replaced by Gar Samuelson, and Chris Poland took over for Kerry King, who had only been a temporary member to assist them on tour.

In late 1984 they were signed to Combat Records, and in may 1985 they released their first album. It was entitled "Killing is my business... And business is good. November 1986 they released their second album, "Peace sells... But who's buying". Later the same year Megadeth signed with [Capitol Records]?, who also bought the rights for "Peace sells, but who's buying" from Combat. Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland were fired from the band after a tour in Hawaii. Replacements were Chuck Behler (drums) and Jeff Young (guitars).

In March 1988 Megadeth released their next album, "So far so good... So what?". In 1989 the lineup changed yet again, as the new members Jeff Young and Chuck Behler were fired. In July the same year, Chuck Behler was replaced by [Nick Menza]? on drums, and [Marty Friedman]? took over Jeff Young's role. In 1990 Megadeth releases their fourth album, entitled "Rust in Peace". "Rust in Peace" is by many speed-metal?-fans regarded as one of the most technical and exciting speed-metal albums of all time.

July 1992 Megadeth released the album "Countdown to extinction". It became an instant hit, and sold multiple platinum. The following album, "Youthanasia" was released in 1994, and it also became a great success.

Their next album, entitled "Cryptic Writings" was released in 1997. This album has more pop-influences than the previous ones, but it still is not mistakeable for anything else than Megadeth. Nick Menza left the band in 1998, and was replaced by [Jimmy DeGrasso]?. The pop-incluences are even more evident on the following album, entitled "Risk". Shortly after this, Marty Friedman also leaves the band, and is replaced by [Al Pitrelli]?. Risk torned out not to be the success they were hoping it would be, and looking for a way to end their contract with Capitol records, in 2000 they released a greatest-hits collection entitled "Capitol Punishment - the Megadeth years". This compilation also includes two new tracks that they had to give to Capitol.

In 2001 Megadeth signed a deal with Sanctuary Records. Shortly thereafter, they released a new album, entitled "The world needs a hero". On "The world needs a hero", most traces of the pop-influences that were present on the two previous albums are gone.

Official website: [1]