Megadeth – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Megadeth Biography

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band founded by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson in Los Angeles in 1983. Megadeth, together with Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, is one of the “big four” of American thrash metal, responsible for the genre’s growth and popularization. Complex arrangements and quick rhythm sections are used in their music, which includes lyrical themes of death, war, politics, personal relationships, and religion. The band is well known for their song “Symphony of Destruction”.

Megadeth’s debut album, Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, was released in 1985 on the independent record label Combat Records to mixed reviews. Megadeth signed with Capitol Records after it gained the eye of bigger labels. Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, their first major-label album, was a major smash among the underground metal community when it was released in 1986. Megadeth received bad press in the late 1980s due to band members’ substance misuse troubles and personal feuds. Countdown to Extinction (1990), So Far, So Good… So What! (1988), and Rust in Peace (1990) were all platinum-selling albums for the band (1992). These albums, as well as worldwide tours, helped them gain notoriety.

Megadeth has had a number of guitarists, drummers, and bassists during the course of its 39-year career, with Mustaine remaining the lone original member. When Mustaine suffered an arm injury in 2002, the band temporarily dissolved, but reformed in 2004 sans Ellefson, who had filed a lawsuit against him. Ellefson returned to the band in 2010 after an out-of-court settlement, but was sacked in 2021 due to sexual misconduct charges. Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro, and drummer Dirk Verbeuren makeup Megadeth’s current lineup, with former bassist James LoMenzo serving as touring bassist.

Megadeth has sold 38 million albums worldwide, attained platinum certification in the United States for six of their fifteen studio albums, and has been nominated for twelve Grammy awards. Megadeth received its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song “Dystopia,” which was nominated in the category of Best Metal Performance. Vic Rattlehead, the band’s mascot, appears frequently on record artwork and throughout live performances.The band has faced backlash for its music and lyrics, with album bans and concert cancellations. MTV refused to air two of the band’s music videos that it deemed to condone suicide.

Megadeth is widely regarded as one of the most musically influential bands of the 1980s. The band’s music had a direct impact on death metal as part of the early American thrash metal genre. The mainstream success of Megadeth, according to sociologist Keith Kahn-Harris, was one of the causes for the spread of extreme metal to nations where it had previously been unknown. Toxic Holocaust and Warbringer were among the thrash metal bands influenced by the band’s music and album artwork in the twenty-first century.

Megadeth’s albums sold 9.2 million copies in the United States between 1991 and 2014, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Since July 2005, Megadeth has organized its own music festival, Gigantour, numerous times, and in October 2019, it launched its first annual MegaCruise.

Megadeth Discography

The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!
DystopiaSpotify
Super ColliderSpotify
ThirteenSpotify
EndgameSpotify
United AbominationsSpotify
The System Has FailedSpotify
The World Needs a HeroSpotify
RiskSpotify
Cryptic WritingsSpotify
YouthanasiaSpotify
Countdown to ExtinctionSpotify
Rust in PeaceSpotify
So Far, So Good… So What!Spotify
Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?Spotify
Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!Spotify

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Was Megadeth’S First Song?

“Mechanix” was the first song released by Megadeth. It was originally written by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine while he was a member of Metallica. The song appeared on Metallica’s debut album, Kill ‘Em All, but was credited to Mustaine as he had left the band before the album was recorded. Megadeth’s version of the song appeared on their debut album, Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, in 1985.

Who Sold More Albums Megadeth ?

There is no clear answer, as both bands have had successful careers. However, overall album sales for Megadeth are estimated to be around 50 million copies, while Metallica has sold approximately 110 million albums. So in terms of total sales, Metallica has sold more albums. But when it comes to specific releases, Megadeth’s “Countdown to Extinction” (1992) is thought to have sold more copies than any of Metallica’s albums. It is worth noting that both bands have had periods of commercial decline, so sales figures from different eras are not necessarily comparable. Additionally, it is hard to say definitively which band has “sold more albums” because album sales can fluctuate for a variety of reasons (e.g., changes in the music industry, re-releases, etc.).

Who Is Megadeth New Bassist?

The answer to this question is unclear, as Megadeth has not yet announced their new bassist. However, many fans are speculating that the band’s new bassist is David Ellefson, who was previously a member of Megadeth. If this is true, then Ellefson will be rejoining the band after a nearly 20-year absence. Megadeth has not yet confirmed or denied these rumors, so we will have to wait and see who their new bassist is.

What Is Megadeth Biggest Hit?

“Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” is Megadeth’s biggest hit, according to Billboard. The song peaked at number 11 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 1991.

Which Megadeth Album Sold The Most?

The answer may surprise you – it isn’t “Rust in Peace” or “Countdown to Extinction”, but rather “Cryptic Writings”, which was released in 1997. This album was a marked departure from the band’s previous style, embracing a more radio-friendly sound. It was this change in direction that seems to have won them a whole new legion of fans, as “Cryptic Writings” went on to become their best-selling album, moving over two million copies worldwide.

Most Searched For Megadeth Songs

Symphony Of DestructionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Tornado Of SoulsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Holy Wars… The Punishment Due SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
A Tout Le Monde SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Hanger 18 SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
In My Darkest Hour SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Peace Sells SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Dread and the Fugitive MindSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
PromisesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
DystopiaSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon