Участник:Andrei G Kustov/Temp2

Материал из Википедии — свободной энциклопедии

Megadeth


Годы	1983—2002 2004—н.в.
Откуда	Сан-Франциско
Страна	США
Жанры	трэш-метал (1983—1992) хеви-метал (с 1994)
Псевдонимы	{{{Псевдонимы}}}
Лейблы	Combat Records (1984−1986) Capitol Records (1986−2000) Sanctuary Records (2001−2006) Roadrunner Records (с 2006)
Состав	Дэйв Мастейн Глен Дровер Шон Дровер Джеймс Ломенцо
Бывшие участники	Дэвид Эллефсон Марти Фридмен Ник Менца Гар Самуэльсон Крис Поланд Чак Белер Джефф Янг Джимми Деграссо Эл Питрелли Джеймс Макдонау
www.megadeth.com

Megadeth — американская трэш-метал группа, лидером, фронтменом и автором песен которой является Дэйв Мастейн. Группа была образована в 1983 году после того как Мастейна выгнали из Metallica и с тех пор выпустила десять студийных альбомов, три EP и два концертных альбома.^[1] Megadeth является одной из самых коммерчески успешных хэви-метал групп, продав более чем 20 миллионов альбомов по всему миру, включая номинированный на «Грэмми» мульти-платиновый альбом Countdown to Extinction.^[2] В одних только Соединённых Штатах Megadeth получила четыре платиновых альбома, шесть золотых альбомов и семь номинаций на премию «Грэмми», как лучший исполнитель музыки в жанре хэви-метал.^[3] Группа распалась в 2002 году после того, как Мастейн тяжело повредил лучевой нерв^[4], но, пройдя физиотерапию, в 2004 году Мастейн восстановил группу, которая в том же году выпустила альбом The System Has Failed, который стартовал на 18 месте в хит-параде популярных альбомов журнала Billboard^[5].

За 21 год активной деятельности в Megadeth официально участвовало 19 музыкантов, и лишь Дэйв Мастейн остаётся лидером группы ещё с первого состава и основным автором песен. Megadeth вместе с группами Metallica, Anthrax и Slayer называют «большой четвёркой» трэш-метала.

[править] История

[править] Ранние годы

Летом 1983 года через несколько месяцев после того, как ведущий гитарист Дэйв Мастейн был уволен из группы Metallica из-за проблем с алкоголем, наркотиками и конфликтов с другими музыкантами^[6], он вместе с басистом Дэвидом Эллефсоном, гитаристом Грегом Хэндевидтом и барабанщиком Диджоном Каррутерсом создал группу Megadeth. Позже Мастейн сказал: «После увольнения из Metallica, всё что я помню — свою жажду крови. Их крови. Я хотел делать более быструю и тяжёлую музыку, чем они».^[7] Мастейн, движимый желанием мести^[8], добавил музыке Megadeth мощи, увеличив скорость в уже имеющихся песнях, например, в «Mechanix», которую раннее Metallica исполняла в более медленном темпе. После почти шести месяцев безуспешных поисков вокалиста Мастейн решил самостоятельно заниматься ведущим вокалом, являясь также основным автором песен и музыки группы, а также ритм-гитаристом. Каррутерса вскоре заменил барабанщик Ли Рауш, а гитарист Грег Хэндевидт покинул группу в конце 1983 года и основал собственную, Kublai Khan. В начале 1984 года Megadeth записала демо из трёх песен («Last Rites/Loved to Death», «Skull Beneath the Skin» и «Mechanix») в составе: Мастейн, Эллефсон и Рауш. Также к Megadeth в качестве второго гитариста присоединился Керри Кинг (известный по Slayer), который выступал с группой на концертах, пока ему подыскивалась постоянная замена. После нескольких выступлений в 1984 году Ли Рауша заменил ударник Гар Самуэльсон.^[1] Благодаря своим трём демонстрационным песням группе удалось подписать контракт с независимой нью-йоркской звукозаписывающей компанией Combat Records, а в декабре в группе наконец появился второй гитарист Крис Поланд, друг Гара.

[править] Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good

Megadeth в 1986 году: Крис Поланд, Дэйв Мастейн, Гар Самуэльсон, Дэвид Эллефсон

Early in 1985, the band were given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album.^[7] However, after spending half of that budget on drugs and alcohol, the band was forced to fire their original producer and produce the album themselves.^[7] Despite the resulting poor production, Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, released in May 1985, was a well-received effort that blended elements of thrash, speed metal and punk rock.^[9]^[10]

The album features the first of many cover songs performed by Megadeth; a speed metal version of Nancy Sinatra's classic «These Boots Are Made For Walking» ( sample), with lyrics altered by Mustaine. The song sparked controversy in later years when the song’s original author, Lee Hazlewood, deemed Mustaine’s changes to be «vile and offensive»,^[7] and demanded that the song be removed from the album. Under threat of legal action, the song was removed from all pressings released after 1995. In 2002, however, the album was re-released with a partial version of the song, though with the altered lyrics censored by a «beep». In the Killing Is My Business.. deluxe edition liner notes, Mustaine is strongly critical of Hazlewood, and notes he recieved royalties for almost 10 years before objecting to the altered version.^[7]

In the summer of 1985, the group toured the United States and Canada for the first time, supporting Killing Is My Business… with Exciter. During the tour, new guitarist Chris Poland abruptly left the band, and was replaced by touring guitarist Mike Albert.^[1] Poland later rejoin Megadeth in October 1985 however, shortly before they began work on their second album with Combat Records.

[править] Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?

Альбом Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, 1986

Originally completed in March 1986, Megadeth’s second album again suffered from Combat Records' small recording budget, and the band was initially unhappy with the final mixed product. Frustrated by the small independent label’s financial insufficiencies, Megadeth signed to major label Capitol Records, who also bought the rights to the new album. Capitol hired producer Andy Somers to remix the recordings, and in November 1986, more than a year after recording began, Capitol released Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?.^[1] The album marked Megadeth’s commercial and critical breakthrough,^[11] eventually selling more than a million copies in the US alone.

Considered to be a landmark thrash metal album, All Music Guide cited Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? as «One of the most influential metal albums of its decade, and certainly one of the few truly definitive thrash albums».^[12] The album’s title track «Peace Sells» ( sample) was chosen to be the bands first music video, receiving regular airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball. «Peace Sells» ranked #11 on VH1’s 40 Greatest Metal Songs^[13] and the opening bassline was used for years as the theme for MTV News. Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? was the first Megadeth album to feature art by Ed Repka, who redesigned the band’s mascot Vic Rattlehead to the current standard, and designed much of the bands artwork in later years.

In February 1987 Megadeth was added as the opening band on Alice Cooper's Constrictor tour, followed by a brief tour supporting Mercyful Fate in the US. In March of that year, Megadeth began their first world tour as a headlining act in the United Kingdom, which featured support bands Overkill and Necros.^[1]

After years of problems stemming from substance abuse, both Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland were fired from Megadeth in July 1987, following the final show of the tour in Hawaii. Mustaine claimed that Samuelson had become too much to handle when intoxicated, and even had replacement drummer Chuck Behler flown out for the last few dates of the tour, fearing that Samuelson would not be able to finish with the band’s commitments.^[14] Mustaine claimed that Poland had sold band equipment to fund his increasing drug habit, detailed in the song «Liar», which is also dedicated to Poland. He was initially replaced by Jay Reynolds of Malice, but as the band began work on their next album, Reynolds was replaced by his own guitar teacher Jeff Young, who joined Megadeth six weeks into the recording of their third album.^[14]

[править] So Far, So Good… So What!

With a major label recording budget, and producer Paul Lani behind the desk, Megadeth spent five months recording their third album, So Far, So Good... So What!. The recording process was again plagued with problems from the beginning, due in part to Mustaine’s ongoing battle with addiction. Mustaine later said: «The production (of So Far, So Good…) was horrible, mostly due to substances and the priorities we had or didn’t have at the time».^[15] Mustaine also clashed with producer Paul Lani, beginning with Lani’s insistence that the drums be recorded separate from the cymbals (an unheard of process for rock drummers).^[16] During the mixing process, Mustaine and Lani had a falling out, and Lani was replaced by producer Michael Wagener, who remixed the album.^[15]

Megadeth в 1988 году: Чак Белер, Дэвид Эллефсон, Джефф Янг, Дэйв Мастейн

In January 1988 Megadeth released So Far, So Good... So What!, and while the album was eventually certified platinum in the US, it was initially panned by critics, with All Music Guide complaining that the album «lacked conceptual unity and musical bite», and that it «wants to sound threatening but mostly comes off as forced and somewhat juvenile».^[17] So Far, So Good… featured the single «In My Darkest Hour», ( sample) with music written by Mustaine as a tribute to fallen Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. The song remains a fan favorite, and has been performed at nearly every Megadeth show since. So Far, So Good… also featured a cover verson of the Sex Pistols' «Anarchy In The UK», with lyrics altered by Mustaine (who later admitted to hearing them wrong).^[16]

In June 1988, Megadeth appeared in Penelope Spheeris' documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, which chronicled the Los Angeles heavy metal scene of the late 1980s, mostly focusing on glam metal. The video for In My Darkest Hour was filmed by Spheeris (who also directed the «Wake Up Dead» and «Anarchy in the UK» videos), and appears in the final scene of the movie. In Megadeth’s 1991 Rusted Pieces VHS, Mustaine recalls the movie as a disappointment, which aligned Megadeth with «a bunch of shit bands».^[18]

Megadeth began their world tour in support of So Far, So Good… opening for Dio in Europe in February 1988, later joining Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son summer tour in the US. Noticing problems developing with drummer Chuck Behler, Mustaine brought drummer Nick Menza in to act as Behler’s drum technician. As with Gar Samuelson before him, Menza was to be ready to take over for Behler in the event that he could not continue with the tour.^[19]

In August 1988, Megadeth appeared at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington in the UK, alongside KISS, Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, and David Lee Roth, performing to an audience of more than 100,000 people. The band was soon added to the «Monsters of Rock» European tour, but dropped out after the first show. Shortly after the that appearance, Mustaine fired both Chuck Behler and guitarist Jeff Young, and cancelled their scheduled 1988 Australian tour. «On the road, things escalated from a small border skirmish into a full-on raging war» he lated recalled, «I think a lot of us were inconsistent (on the 1988 tour) because of the guy we were waiting for after the show».^[20]

In July 1989, Nick Menza was hired to replace Behler on the drums. Unable to find a suitable lead guitarist in time, Megadeth recorded a cover version of Alice Cooper's «No More Mr. Nice Guy» ( sample) as a three piece band. The version later appeared on the soundtrack to the 1989 Wes Craven horror movie Shocker. While the band was holding auditions for the new lead guitarist in the summer of 1989, Mustaine was arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of narcotics, having crashed into a parked vehicle occupied by an off-duty police officer. He entered court ordered rehab soon after, and got sober for the first time in ten years.^[1]

[править] Rust In Peace

Альбом Rust in Peace, 1990

Following Mustaine’s new found sobriety, Megadeth enlisted lead guitarist Marty Friedman, who had played in Cacophony with Jason Becker, and released a solo album on Shrapnel Records called Dragon's Kiss. Friedman was initially rejected by Mustaine for having multicolored hair, but after undergoing what Mustaine called «Rock Star 101», Friedman officially joined Megadeth in February 1990.^[21]

A revitalized Megadeth entered Rumbo Studios in March 1990 with co-producer Mike Clink to begin work on what would become their biggest selling album to date, Rust In Peace. For the first time in their career, the band worked sober in the studio, alleviating many of the problems faced recording previous albums. Clink was also the first producer to successfully produce a Megadeth album from start to finish, without being fired.^[22]

Released worldwide on September 24 1990, Rust In Peace was a hit with fans and critics alike, debuting at #23 on the Billboard Top 200 in the US, and #8 in the UK.^[23] The album showcased a much tighter sound, with Mustaine’s writing style adopting a rhythmically complex progressive edge, prompting All Music Guide to cite Rust in Peace as «Megadeth’s strongest musical effort».^[15] The album featured the singles «Holy Wars… The Punishment Due», ( sample) and «Hangar 18», ( sample) both of which received music videos, and remain live staples. Rust in Peace went on to sell more than a million copies in the US, and received Grammy nominations in 1991 and 1992 for Best Metal Performance.^[3]

In September 1990 Megadeth joined Slayer, Testament and Suicidal Tendencies for the European «Clash of the Titans» tour, and in October, they were added as the opening band on Judas Priest's Painkiller tour, culminating with a performance to 140,000 people in January 1991 at Rock in Rio 2 festival in Brazil. Following the success of the European tour, a «Clash of the Titans» US tour began in May 1991, featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax and opener Alice in Chains. In July, Megadeth’s «Go To Hell» ( sample) was featured on the Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey soundtrack, and shortly after «Breakpoint» was featured on the Super Mario Bros soundtrack. In 1991 Megadeth also released their first home video, Rusted Pieces, which contained all six of the band’s music videos, along with a video interview with the band.

[править] Countdown to Extinction

In January 1992, Megadeth entered Enterprise Studios in Burbank, California with co-producer Max Norman. Norman, who had mixed Rust in Peace, would be integral in Megadeth’s resulting musical makeover, pushing for shorter, less complicated, radio-friendly songs.^[24] The band spent four months in the studio with Norman, writing and recording what would become Megadeth’s most commercially successful effort, Countdown to Extinction. The album was the first to feature writing contributions from each band member, and was even named by drummer Nick Menza.^[25]

On July 14, 1992, Capitol Records released Countdown to Extinction. The album was an instant hit, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts in the US, and #5 in the UK.^[5] Anchored by the Mainstream Rock hits «Symphony of Destruction» (#29), sample «Foreclosure of a Dream» (#30), and «Sweating Bullets» (#27),^[26] the album quickly went double platinum in the US, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 1993.^[3] The album’s title song, «Countdown to Extinction» also gave Megadeth the distinction of being the only metal band to ever win the «Doris Day Music Award», presented to the band by the Humane Society of the United States in 1993 for «spotlighting species destruction and the horrific 'sport' of canned hunts».^[27]

The band released their second home video Exposure of a Dream, in November 1992, continuing in a similar to fashion to Rusted Pieces, the release featured all music videos previously released from Countdown. Megadeth began their world tour in support of Countdown to Extinction in December 1992 with Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies, followed by a North American tour beginning in January 1993 with Stone Temple Pilots. Just one month into the North American tour, however, the band were forced to cancel all remaining shows, including dates scheduled in Japan, as Mustaine again fell into substance abuse, and ended up in the hospital emergency room.^[28] After a seven week stint in rehab, Mustaine emerged clean once again, and the band returned to the studio to record «Angry Again», ( sample) a song which was featured in the 1993 film Last Action Hero, and later nominated for a Grammy in 1994.^[3]

In June 1993 Megadeth returned to the stage, appearing as «special guests» at Metallica's Milton Keynes Bowl Festival, marking the first time the former bandmates played the same stage in ten years. The pairing prompted Mustaine’s on stage announcement that «The ten years of bullshit is over between Metallica and Megadeth!», although problems would later resurface between the long-feuding camps.^[29] In July, Megadeth was added as the opening act for Aerosmith's Get A Grip US tour, but due to contractual disputes, and on stage remarks made by Mustaine about Aerosmith’s «advancing» age, Megadeth was removed from the tour after just seven dates.^[30]

Following their cancelled US tour, Megadeth returned to the studio to record «99 Ways to Die», ( sample) a song that appeared on The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience, a compilation album featuring songs intercut with commentary by Beavis and Butt-head, released in November 1993. The song was later nominated for a Grammy in 1995 for Best Metal Performance.^[3]

[править] Youthanasia

Early in 1994, Megadeth again teamed up with co-producer Max Norman to begin work on the follow up to Countdown to Extinction. With three members of the band now residing in Arizona, initial work began at Phase Four Studios in Phoenix. A few days into pre-production, problems with Phase Four’s equipment forced the band to seek out an alternative studio. Mustaine, however, insisted on recording at his home state of Arizona, and no suitable recording facility could be found in time. At the request of co-producer Norman, the band opted to construct their own recording studio inside of a rented warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona, later dubbed «Fat Planet in Hangar 18».^[31] For the first time in their career, the band wrote and arranged the entire album in studio, and included basic tracks recorded live by the whole band at the same time.^[32] Recording of the album was captured on video, and later released as Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia.

Альбом Youthanasia, 1994

Following eight months in the studio, Youthanasia was released on November 1, 1994, debuting at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the US.^[5] The album was certified gold in Canada in just thirty minutes, and was certified platinum in the US faster than any other Megadeth album. With producer Max Norman still pushing for a slower, more commercial sound, Youthanasia followed the stylistic shift that began with Countdown to Extinction.^[33] While still retaining core metal elements, the album focused on stronger vocal melodies and more accessible, radio friendly arrangements.^[34] The band even enlisted noted fashion photographer Richard Avendon to further their new image, dropping their jeans and t-shirts for more style conscious look.^[32]

A sticker on initial releases of Youthanasia advertised the then-new concept of a band website, affectionately known as «Megadeth, Arizona». Fans could chat in the «Mega-diner», correspond with the band through email, request songs to be played live, and read columns and tour diaries written by band members.^[35]

Youthanasia’s first single, «Train Of Consequences», reached #29 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, and in November 1994, Megadeth appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing the album’s second single, «A Tout Le Monde». ( sample) ^[35] «A Tout Le Monde» also received a music video, which was banned by MTV due to its lyrical content, thought to be a promotion of suicide.^[31]

Live support for Youthanasia began in South America in November 1994, and would span eleven months, becoming Megadeth’s most extensive tour to date. The band were joined by Corrosion of Conformity in Europe, and Flotsam and Jetsam, Korn and Fear Factory in the US. The tour culminated with an appearance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Brazil, co-headlining alongside Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. In January 1995, Megadeth appeared on the soundtrack to the horror film Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight with the song «Diadems». Megadeth also contributed a cover version of «Paranoid» ( sample) to Nativity in Black, the first Black Sabbath tribute album. The band’s version of «Paranoid» was nominated for a Grammy in 1996 for Best Metal Performance, Megadeth’s sixth nomination in as many years.^[3]

In March 1995, Megadeth released a special edition of Youthanasia in Europe, containing a bonus disc entitled Hidden Treasures. The bonus disc featured every one-off song by Megadeth, from film soundtracks, compilations, and tribute albums, including a new recording of the Sex Pistols' «Problems». Due to fan demand, the bonus disc was released as its own EP in the United States and Japan in July 1995.

Megadeth в 1996 году: Дэвид Эллефсон, Марти Фридмен, Дэйв Мастейн, Ник Менца

[править] Cryptic Writings

Following an extensive world tour in support of Youthanasia, Megadeth took time off late in 1995. Mustaine began work on MD.45, a side project with vocalist Lee Ving of Fear. The band underwent changes on the business side, signing with ESP Management, and hired a new «creative manager» Bud Prager, a previous manager of both Foreigner and Bad Company.^[36] As with Max Norman before him, Prager would go on to be highly influential in shaping the direction of the band. He pushed Megadeth further into the «commercial rock» field, and convinced the band work with Nashville pop producer and former Giant guitarist Dann Huff.^[37]

In September 1996, Megadeth began working on songs for their next album in Nashville, tentatively titled Needles and Pins. The writing process was closely supervised by new manager Bud Prager, who also contributed musical ideas and lyrics to the songs. Many lyrics, and even song titles were changed at the request of Prager. Regarding Prager’s writing influence, Mustaine later wrote «I figured maybe this guy (Prager) could help me get that intangible 'Number One' record I so badly wanted»^[37] Due to a problem with the album’s original artwork, the album cover was replaced with a «voodoo symbol», and renamed Cryptic Writings. The album remains the only Megadeth album not to feature band mascot Vic Rattlehead in any artwork.

On June 17, 1997, Capitol Records released Cryptic Writings. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200,^[5] and was Megadeth’s fifth consecutive studio album to be certified gold in the United States.^[38] Cryptic Writings scored Megadeth their highest charting single to date, the #5 Mainstream Rock Track, «Trust», ( sample) which was also nominated for a Best Metal Performance Grammy in 1998.^[3] Press response to the album was mixed,^[39]^[40]^[41] but the album would go on to score four top 20 Mainstream Rock Tracks, including «Almost Honest» (#8), «Use The Man» (#15), and «A Secret Place» (#19) sample.^[26] When asked about the eclectic nature of the album, Mustaine later said «We divided it into thirds. One part of the record was really fast and aggressive, one third of it was the really melodic, in between stuff, and then the final third was really radio orientated music like Youthanasia».^[42]

After more than a year away from the stage, Megadeth returned as a live act in June 1997, beginning a would tour with the Misfits, and later touring in the United States with Life of Agony and Coal Chamber. In July Megadeth joined Ozzfest 98, but halfway through the tour, drummer Nick Menza discovered a tumor on his knee, and was forced to leave the tour to undergo surgery. He was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso, temporarily at first. Following the tour, however, DeGrasso replaced Menza permanently, after Mustaine claimed that Menza had «lied about having cancer».^[43]

In 1998, computer game development company 3D Realms announced that they would be using two unreleased Megadeth tracks on their promotional album Duke Nukem: Music To Score By. First was a rendition of the Duke Nukem theme song «Grabbag», originally composed by Lee Jackson, and second was a Megadeth song originally recorded in 1995, «New World Order», which later appeared on the remastered edition of Youthanasia.

[править] Risk

Following the band’s first real radio success with Cryptic Writings, Megadeth opted to again work with country pop producer Dann Huff in Nashville on their eighth studio album, which began in January 1999. The writing of the album was again supervised by manager Bud Prager, credited with co-writing on five of the album’s twelve songs.^[44] Prager convinced Mustaine to grant producer Dan Huff more control over the recording process. "When it comes to Risk, " Mustaine later wrote, «there’d been people in there playing and I wouldn’t even know who they were or where the parts came from, and I’m not used to that. I was a little bit intimidated by the success we had with Cryptic Writings, so when it came to creating new material after that, it’s like being „power-drunk“ — you want more. After the success with „Trust“, I thought to myself „wow, we’ve had a number one hit“. We’d had four top five hits in a row, so why would I not want to give Dann even more control when it comes to the producing part on the next record? So I did, and it backfired».^[45]

Альбом Risk, 1999

Released on August 31, 1999, Risk was both a critical and commercial failure, and led to a backlash from many longtime fans.^[46]^[47]^[48]^[49] Although recent Megadeth albums had incorporated mainstream rock elements alongside a more traditional heavy metal sound, Risk was virtually devoid of metal, featuring instead dance, electronica, and disco influences.^[46] Risk was Megadeth’s first release since 1985 not to be certified gold or higher in the US.^[38] The album’s lead of single, «Crush Em», ( sample) appeared on the Universal Soldier: The Return soundtrack, and later became an official NHL song, played during hockey games.^[48]

Megadeth began their world tour in support of Risk in September 1999, playing alongside Iron Maiden during the European leg. However, just two months into the tour, longtime guitarist Marty Friedman left the band,^[1] citing musical differences. As Mustaine later explained: «I told (Marty) after Risk that we had to go back to our roots and play metal, and he quit».^[50] Megadeth enlisted guitarist Al Pitrelli, formerly of Savatage, Alice Cooper, and currently of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as Friedman’s replacement in January 2000.^[1] The new line up recorded a cover version of the Black Sabbath song «Never Say Die», which appeared on the second Nativity in Black tribute album.

Megadeth returned to the studio in April 2000, to begin work on their ninth studio release. However, one month into production the band was given the opportunity to join the «Maximum Rock» tour, alongside Anthrax and Mötley Crüe. Megadeth put the recording on hold, and toured North America throughout the summer of 2000.^[1]

Megadeth and Capitol Records parted ways in October 2000, after fourteen years. The label returned the band’s newest recordings, and in return released a greatest hits record, Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. The album also featured two new tracks, «Kill the King», and «Dread and the Fugitive Mind», ( sample) both of which showcased the band’s return to their metal roots following Risk.

[править] The World Needs a Hero

In November 2000, Megadeth signed with new label Sanctuary Records. The band returned to the studio in October to put the finishing touches on their next album, which had been near completion before the band joined the «Maximum Rock» tour six months earlier. Following the overwhelming negative response to Risk,^[51] Mustaine fired manager Bud Prager, and decided to self-produce Megadeth’s next album. The World Needs a Hero, the first Megadeth album since Rust in Peace to be written entirely by Mustaine (with one contribution from Al Pitrelli on «Promises»), was released on May 15, 2001 to mixed reviews.^[51]^[52] While the album marked a return to form following the attempted mainstream rock direction featured on Risk, some critics felt the album fell short of expectations.^[53]^[54] Mustaine himself likened the album to be the first major turn of a huge ship at sea, trying to right itself and get back on course. The albums lead off single, «Moto-Psycho», ( sample) reached #22 on the Billboard Mainstram Rock charts,^[26] also receiving regular airplay on VH1's Rock Show.

Megadeth в 2001 году. Слева направо: Эл Питрелли, Дэйв Мастейн, Дэвид Эллефсон, Джимми ДеГрассо

Touring in support of The World Needs a Hero began in the summer of 2001 in Europe supporting AC/DC, followed by an American tour with Iced Earth and Endo in September. The tour was cut short however, following the attacks on America on September 11, the band were forced to cancel all scheduled dates, including a DVD shoot set in Argentina. Instead the band played two shows in Arizona in November, which were filmed and later released as Rude Awakening, Megadeth’s first official live release. In February 2002, Mustaine remixed and remastered Megadeth’s first album, Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, with vastly improved sound quality, and added bonus tracks.^[1]

In January 2002, Mustaine was admitted to the hospital to remove a kidney stone. While undergoing treatment, he was administered pain medication, which triggered a relapse. Following his hospital stay, he immediately checked himself into a treatment center in Texas.^[55] While at the treatment center, Mustaine suffered a freak injury causing severe nerve damage to his left arm. The injury, induced by falling asleep with his left arm over the back of a chair, caused compression of the radial ulnar nerve. He was diagnosed with radial neuropathy, also known as Saturday Night Palsy, which left him unable to grasp or even make a fist with his left hand.^[4]

On April 3, 2002, Mustaine announced in a press release that he was disbanding Megadeth, officially due to his arm injury.^[4] For the next four months, Mustaine underwent intense physical therapy five days a week.^[55] Slowly, Mustaine began to play again, but was forced to «re-teach» his left hand.

In order to fulfill contract obligations with Sanctuary Records, Megadeth released a posthumous compilation album, Still Alive... And Well? on September 10, 2002. The first half of the album contains live tracks recorded at the Web Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 17, 2001. The second half of the album contains studio recordings taken from The World Needs A Hero.

[править] The System Has Failed

Following nearly a year of recovery, including physical and electric shock therapy,^[56] Mustaine began work on what was to be his first solo album. The new material was recorded with session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Sloas in October 2003, but the project was put on hold when Mustaine agreed to remix and remaster Megadeth’s eight album back catalog with Capitol Records. In addition to improving overall sound quality, Mustaine re-recorded some parts that were lost over time, or altered without his knowledge in the initial mixing process.

Альбом The System Has Failed, 2004

In May of 2004 Mustaine returned to his newest recordings, intended as a solo effort, but due to outstanding contractual obligations with the band’s European label EMI, he was forced to release one more album under the «Megadeth» name.^[57] Mustaine decided to reform the band, and contacted the fan favorite «Rust in Peace lineup» to re-record backing tracks on his latest songs. While drummer Nick Menza initially signed on, Marty Friedman and David Ellefson were both unable to come to an agreement with Mustaine. ^[57] Regarding longtime bassist Ellefson not returning to the band, Mustaine said: «David lied to me in the press, he said that my arm injury was fake, went around town and slandered me. We made him a really good offer (to rejoin the band) and he said no. I mean, if I give you an offer and you don’t take it, it means no, right?»^[56] The new album would be the first ever Megadeth recording not to feature Ellefson. To fill in for Friedman, Mustaine hired former guitarist Chris Poland to contribute guitar solos to the new album. Poland would only serve as a studio musician, however, as he opted to focus on his own jazz fusion project OHM.

On September 13, 2004 Megadeth released their comeback album, The System Has Failed on Sanctuary Records in the US and EMI in Europe. Heralded as a return to form,^[58] Revolver magazine gave the album four stars, calling The System Has Failed «Megadeth’s most vengeful, poignant and musically complex offering since Countdown To Extinction».^[59] The album debuted on the Billboard pop albums chart at #18,^[5] and was led by the single «Die Dead Enough», ( sample) which reached #21 on the US Mainstream Rock charts.^[26] Mustaine announced that the album would be the band’s last, followed by a farewell tour, after which he would focus on a solo career.

Megadeth began the Blackmail the Universe world tour in October 2004, enlisting touring bassist James MacDonough (Iced Earth), and guitarist Glen Drover (Eidolon, King Diamond). While in rehearsal for the tour, newly returned drummer Nick Menza once again parted ways with the band, as he was unable to prepare for the physical demands of a full US tour.^[60] He was replaced just five days before the first show by Shawn Drover, brother to new guitarist Glen Drover, and also a member of the Canadian thrash metal band Eidolon. The band toured the US with Exodus, and later in Europe with Diamond Head and Dungeon.^[1]

In June 2005, Capitol Records released a greatest hits album to replace the now out of print Capitol Punishment, entitled Greatest Hits: Back to the Start, which featured the new remixed and remastered versions of songs from the first eight albums.^[1]

[править] Гигантур

In the summer of 2005, Mustaine organized an annual heavy metal festival tour, dubbed Gigantour. Megadeth headlined the inaugural run with Dream Theater, Anthrax, Fear Factory, Dillinger Escape Plan, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex. Performances from the Montreal and Vancouver shows were filmed and recorded for a live DVD and CD, both of which were released in the summer of 2006.^[1]

Megadeth выходит на поклон на метал-фестивале Sauna Open Air в Тампере (Финляндия) в июне 2005 года. Слева направо: Шон Дровер, Джеймс Макдоноу, Дэйв Мастейн, Глен Дровер.

On October 9 2005, following the successes of The System Has Failed and the Blackmail the Universe world tour, Mustaine announced on stage in Argentina to a sold out crowd at the Pepsi Music Rock Festival that Megadeth would continue to record and tour.

In February, 2006 bass player James MacDonough parted ways with the band for what MacDonough called «personal differences».^[61] He was replaced by bassist James Lomenzo, who had previously worked with David Lee Roth, White Lion and Black Label Society.^[1] On March 16, 2006 the new Megadeth lineup made their live debut headlining the Dubai Desert Rock festival held in the United Arab Emirates, alongside Testament and 3 Doors Down.

On March 21, 2006, Capitol Records released a two disc DVD titled Arsenal of Megadeth, which included archive footage, interviews, live shows, and many of the band’s music videos. Due to licensing issues, movie soundtrack videos, as well as videos not released by Capitol Records were not included on the DVD.^[1]

[править] United Abominations

In May 2006 Megadeth announced that their eleventh studio album, entitled United Abominations was near completion. Originally scheduled for release by Roadrunner Records in October 2006, Mustaine announced in August 2006 that the band were «putting the finishing touches on it», and the album is now scheduled for a March 20, 2007 release.^[62] United Abominations will be the band’s first studio release to feature brothers Glen and Shawn Drover, as well as new bassist James Lomenzo.

[править] Темы песен

As Megadeth’s primary lyricist, Mustaine is known for his often controversial, political, and more recently, personal lyrics.^[58] War and nuclear war are common topics, including the military-industrial complex («Architecture of Aggression», «Hangar 18», «Take No Prisoners»), and the aftermath of war («Ashes In Your Mouth»). The name Megadeth is a deliberate misspelling of the word megadeath, a term coined in 1953 by RAND military strategist Herman Kahn to describe one million deaths, popularized in his 1960 book On Thermonuclear War.^[63] Politics are also a common theme to many Megadeth songs,^[58] ^[34] such as Mustaine’s scathing assessment of Tipper Gore, the PMRC, and music censorship in the song «Hook In Mouth».^[64] Mustaine takes an environmentalist stance in «Countdown to Extinction» and «Dawn Patrol»,^[65] and shuns dictators in songs like «Warhorse», and «Symphony of Destruction». Mustaine’s general cynicism regarding politics shines through on tracks like «Peace Sells»,^[11] «The World Needs A Hero» and «Blackmail the Universe».^[58]

Mustane also choses to make several of Marvel(r) comic’s characters the lyrical refernence points for some of his songs. Characters like «The Punisher» (Holy Wars… , Killing is my Bisness…) and «Deathlok» (psychotron)make appearances^[66].

Controversial and misunderstood lyrics have also caused problems for the band, as the music video for «In My Darkest Hour» was banned from MTV in 1988 when the music channel deemed the song to be pro-suicide.^[16] The music video for «A Tout Le Monde» was later banned by MTV, again wrongly interpreted as being pro suicide, when in fact it was written from the perspective of a dying man, saying his last words to his loved ones.^[31]

Addiction is also a common theme, as in «Use the Man», about a former substance abuse counselor who died of a drug overdose.^[37] Recently, some lyrics have taken on religious themes, including «Truth Be Told», which tells the biblical story of Cain and Abel, and «Shadow of Deth», with spoken lyrics taken directly from Psalm 23 of the King James Bible.

[править] Скандалы

Dave Mustaine is notorious for making inflammatory statements in the press,^[50] usually regarding feuds and problems with former bandmates and other bands, including Slayer and Metallica. Perhaps most well known is his long standing feud with Metallica members James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, stemming from his ejection from the band, and the method in which it was conducted, as well as disagreements on songwriting credits.^[29]

In July 2004, former bassist David Ellefson sued Mustaine for $18.5 million in Manhattan Federal Court. Ellefson alleged that Mustaine short changed him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth over to him when the band broke up in 2002.^[67] Ellefson also accused Mustaine of locking him out of merchandise and publishing royalties. The suit was dismissed in 2005,^[68] and Mustaine filed a countersuit, which was later settled out of court.

Also sparking minor controversy was Mustaine’s announcement that Megadeth will not play certain songs live anymore, due to Mustaine’s new identification as a born again Christian.^[69] In May 2005 Mustaine also threatened to cancel shows in Greece and Israel with extreme metal bands Rotting Christ and Dissection, due to the bands' perceived Satanic beliefs, which in turn caused the two bands to cancel their appearances.^[70]

[править] Наследие

Megadeth продала более чем 20 миллионов альбомов по всему миру; восемь альбомов группы вошли в число 40 лучших ^[5]; 18 синглов вошли в число 40 лучших^[26] и семь номинаций на «Грэмми»^[3], благодаря чему группа является одной из самых успешных хеви-метал группы всех времён.^[2] Вместе с группами Metallica, Anthrax и Slayer входит в так называемую «большую четвёрку» трэш-метала, уступая по продажам и коммерческому успеху лишь Metallica.

Альбом Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? считается важным событием в истории трэш-метала, All Music Guide называет его «одним из самых важных метал-альбомов десятилетия и одним из действительно определяющих альбомов для трэш-метала», а также «одним из лучших альбомов метала всех времен»^[71]. В мае 2006 года канал VH1 поставил композицию «Peace Sells» на 11-ую позицию в хит-параде 40 величайших песен метала^[72].

В 2004 году журнал Guitar World отдал Дэйву Мастейну и Марти Фридмену 19-ое место в списке 100 величайших гитаристов хеви-метала всех времен^[73].

В качестве одного из первопроходцев трэш-метала группа Megadeth повлияла на развитие движения экстремального метала в конце 1980-х и в начале 1990-х годов. Многие известные играющие метал коллективы более позднего периода, включая такие группы как Pantera, Arch Enemy, Lamb of God^[74], In Flames^[75], Machine Head^[76], Trivium^[77] и Avenged Sevenfold^[78], называют Megadeth в числе вдохновителей своей музыки.

[править] Популярная культура

Группа Megadeth упоминалась во многих фильмах и телевизионных шоу, включая «Симпсоны», «Без ума от тебя», «Шоу Дрю Кэри», «Секретные материалы» и «Duck Dodgers» (в этом мультсериале группа даже присутствовала на экране в мультипликационной форме в эпизоде 2005 года In Space, Nobody Can Hear You Rock.^[79]) Megadeth упоминается в кинокомедии 1993 года «Мир Уэйна 2», где Хони Хорни (Ким Бейсингер) спрашивает Гарта (Дана Карви) «Не хочешь послушать музыку?», на что Гарт отвечает «А у тебя есть Megadeth?». Группа также упоминается в фильме 1991 года «Новое приключение Билла и Теда», где во время пребывания главных героев в Аду Билл (Алекс Винтер) говорит: «Тед, знаешь, если я умру, ты можешь забрать себе мою коллекцию Megadeth».^[80]

Композиции Megadeth вошли в саундтреки к фильмам «Электрошок», «Новое приключение Билла и Теда», «Последний киногерой», «Рыцарь-демон», «Супербратья Марио» и «Универсальный солдат: Возвращение», а также музыка группы звучит в нескольких компьютерных играх. Песня Peace Sells звучит на радиостанции V-Rock в игре 2002 года Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, а также в игре 2003 года True Crime: Streets of LA. Symphony of Destruction присутствует в видеоиграх на платформе Playstation 2 - Guitar Hero и WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006. Специальная версия композиции Hangar 18 звучит в ещё одной игре на PS2 - Guitar Hero II.^[79] Megadeth написала песню Gears of War для одноимённой игры, выходящей в 2007 году на Xbox 360, также она выйдет на будущем альбоме United Abominations.

[править] Дискография

[править] Студийные альбомы

1985 — Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! (Combat Records)
1986 — Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (Capitol Records)
1988 — So Far, so Good... So What! (Capitol Records)
1990 — Rust in Peace (Capitol Records)
1992 — Countdown to Extinction (Capitol Records)
1994 — Youthanasia (Capitol Records)
1997 — Cryptic Writings (Capitol Records)
1999 — Risk (Capitol Records)
2001 — The World Needs a Hero (Sanctuary Records)
2004 — The System Has Failed (Sanctuary Records)

[править] Сборники

1993 — MegaBox
1995 — Hidden Treasures
1997 — Old Testaments
2000 — Capitol Punishment (Capitol Records)
2002 — Still, Alive... And Well?
2004 — Hell Wasn't Built in a Day
2005 — Greatest Hits: Back to the Start (Capitol Records)

[править] Концертные альбомы

2002 — Rude Awakening (Sanctuary Records)

[править] Состав группы

[править] Нынешний состав

Дэйв Мастейн — вокал, гитара (1983-)
Глен Дровер — гитара (2004-)
Шон Дровер — ударные (2004-)
Джеймс Ломенцо — бас-гитара (2006-)

[править] Бывшие участники

Гитаристы

Эл Питрелли (2000—2002)
Марти Фридмен (1989—1999)
Джефф Янг (1987—1989)
Джей Рейнольдс (1987)
Майк Альберт (участвовал в туре) (1985)
Крис Поланд (1984—1987, 2004)
Керри Кинг (участвовал в туре) (1984)
Грег Хэндевидт (1983—1984)

Басисты

Джеймс Макдоноу (2004—2006)
Дэвид Эллефсон (1983—2002)

Ударники

Джимми Деграссо (1998—2002)
Ник Менца (1989—1998, 2004)
Чак Белер (1987—1988)
Гар Самуэльсон (1984—1987)
Ли Рауш (1984)
Диджон Каррутерс (1983—1984)

[править] Сессионные музыканты