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 are signed to Combat Records, and in may 1995 they released their first album. It was entitled "Killing is my business... And business is good. November 1986 they release their second album, "Peace sells... But who's buying". Later the same year Megadeth signs onto [Capitol Records]?, who also buy the rights for "Peace sells, but who's buying" from Combat. Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland are fired from the group after a tour in Hawaii. Replacements are Chuck Behler (drums) and Jeff Young (guitars).

In March 1988 Megadeth releases their next album, "So far so good... So what?". In 1989 the lineup changes yet again, as the new members Jeff Young and Chuck Behler are fired. In July the same year, Chuck Behler is replaced by [Nick Menza]? on drums, and [Marty Friedman]? takes 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 releases the album "Countdown to extinction". It is an instant hit, and sells multiple platinum. Their next album, "Youthanasia" is released in 1994, and it also becomes a great success.

Their next album, entitled "Cryptic Writings" is 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 leaves the band in 1998, and is 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 is not the success they were hoping it would be, and looking for a way to end their contract with Capitol records, in 2000 they release a greatest-hits collection entitled "Capitol Punishment - the Megadeth years". This compilation also includes two new tracks that they have to give to Capitol.

In 2001 Megadeth signs a deal with Sanctuary Records. Shortly thereafter, they release 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.