Megadeth Albums - How It All Began

Most music historians would agree that Megadeth albums are among the first of its kind in the heavy metal thrash genre. Like many great artistic acts though, this band took the long and difficult road to success.

It is appropriate to say that the group's story officially began with Dave Mustaine. In the nearly three decades that the band has been around, Mustaine has been its constant prime mover and creative force. At one point, the band leader was the lead vocalist, guitarist, lyricist and songwriter all in one.

Mustaine's own story began with Metallica, which to date, is the one band that his own group can't match in sales. He was once a member of the now legendary Metallica but was reportedly kicked out unceremoniously due to too much drug use, among other reasons. This created such an enduring bitterness in Mustaine that he vowed that he would one day get his revenge.

His revenge came in the form of his own band and the future vision of one day churning out a Megadeth album that was better and faster than anything his former band mates could ever create. The influence of anger and vengeance was so pronounced that the group's early music and its official name came to represent annihilation and a million deaths. Being better than Metallica somehow meant playing so loud and so heavy as to leave listeners shocked and in awe.

Apparently though, Mustaine took his drug and alcohol abuse problems with him. This is perhaps one reason why his other band members also took to bad habits. Through the years, the band has had 20 members. The coming and going is attributed to a variety of reasons, including personal ones. It is safe to say though that one constant reason for the regular shifts in line up is because of drug abuse.

The preoccupation with drugs has left its mark on the group's first album Killing is my Business... and Business is Good! which was released in 1985. It was self-produced mainly because they had a small budget which was cut even smaller when they used half of it on drugs. Nonetheless, the work was considered quite good and paved the way for a loyal following.

Despite the band's issues, succeeding albums were pushed out, with a total of 12 studio albums. Following their first release was Peace Sells... but Who's Buying in 1986, So Far, So Good... So What! in 1988, Rust in Peace in 1990, Countdown to Extinction in 1992, Youthanasia in 1994, Cryptic Writings in 1997, Risk in 1999, The World Needs a Hero in 2001, The System has Failed in 2004, United Abominations in 2007 and Endgame in 2009.

Many songs in various Megadeth albums are almost similar to the predominant style of Metallica, with long instrumental sections and guitar solos. Clearly though, the themes of many Megadeth songs are more abrasive, disconcerting and even vile and offensive. They are also generally more grounded on social issues than anything that Metallica has ever produced. Songs from the band revolve around such themes as politics, war and social issues like substance abuse and suicide.