Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction review
| Band: | Megadeth |
| Album: | Countdown To Extinction |
| Style: | Heavy metal, Thrash metal |
| Release date: | July 1992 |
01. Skin O' My Teeth
02. Symphony Of Destruction
03. Architecture Of Aggression
04. Foreclosure Of A Dream
05. Sweating Bullets
06. This Was My Life
07. Countdown To Extinction
08. High Speed Dirt
09. Psychotron
10. Captive Honour
11. Ashes In Your Mouth
12. Crown Of Worms [2004 re-release bonus]
13. Countdown To Extinction [demo] [2004 re-release bonus]
14. Symphony Of Destruction [demo] [2004 re-release bonus]
15. Psychotron [demo] [2004 re-release bonus]
"Oh my God, really?!?! It's number 2?' is what came out of my mouth, but inside, I was pissed. I wanted that number one spot." (from commentary in the remastered version)
These words are the perfect exemplification of the spirit in the making of this album. The drive to make good music was leaving, and replacing it was a drive for commercialism. Now don't get me wrong, this is a good album, but it was also the beginning of the decline in Megadeth's music, a decline that would last for for the span of four albums respectively, until their redeeming 2004 release of "The System has Failed." But enough about this, let's talk about the quality of the album.
Guitar for this album, though while not quite up to par with "RIP" is still quite good. The traditional thrash strong structure is notably altered, but the spirit of thrash is still present, with trade off solos and strong rhythms to back them. However, the alteration in the sound can clearly be heard in the rock influence of the guitar playing, and more simplistic structures/time signatures. There's even a blues solo in the song "High Speed Dirt" performed by none other than Mr. Marty Friedman himself.
The drumming is very good, right around the same level as their previous release, except that certain simplistic passages can be found on "Symphony of Destruction" and "Sweating Bullets." The intro to the song "Skin O' My Teeth" is pretty good, and the fills on "Architecture of Aggression" are pretty clever.
Bass? Well, read my last four Megadeth reviews, and you'll see that I share a similar opinion for this one. The bass on the title track is probably my favorite, with a leering intro that makes love to your ears, and carries through strong for the entirety of the track. The bassline on "Foreclosure of a Dream" too, is quite impressive.
Lyrically, I would call this album Sub-Par. There are lyrics which are, quite frankly, a lot worse than they could have done. For instance, why write a song about skydiving? There ARE good lyrics on the album though, such as Symphony of Destruction, Sweating Bullets, Foreclosure of a Dream, and Countdown. For the most part, However, I was unimpressed.
To re-iterate a point: while this album may be the start of their decline, it's still a worthwhile purchase. Certainly it isn't the same ol' thrashtastic Megadeth that we're used to, but the songs are still very good, and worth looking into. Just make sure that if you get this album, you have their previous four first, just so you have priorities out of the way. Either way though, through the release of this album, Megadeth began their own countdown to a temporary, but real extinction.
Album Highlights: Skin O' My Teeth, Architecture of Aggression, Countdown to Extinction, Captive Honor.
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
8.9
8.9
|
Rating: 8.9 |
Megadeth, band with multiple personalities. Like a schizophrenic family member, you just have to love it. All Megadeth albums have strong identities, some of them being softer and more melodic - ok, commercial - and some of them more raw and thrashy. Dave Mustaine has always recreated Megadeth's skin over and over again, but the biggest leap in Megadeth's musical evolution happened between albums So Far, So Good... So What! (1987) and Countdown To Extinction (1992). Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 12
Visited by: 106 users
| Richard Posts: 4862 From: UK  |
This is probably my second favourite Megadeth album (after Rust In Peace). I don't have the remastered version, I bought the original when it came out, so I don't have the bonus tracks.. But there are some damn good songs on here, despite it being noticeably more accessible. Ashes In Your Mouth is a real grower and standout for me, and could be considered more in keeping with their older style. Symphony of Destruction is one of those songs that everyone likes when they hear it, and Sweating Bullets sounds a bit like 'Sweaty Bollocks'. Agreed about the song about skydiving, very silly!
---- 
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| terrorist Posts: 358 From: Serbia  |
My favorite album,definetly one of the best in Metal.Song, Countdown To Extinction is my favorite one,it sounds so dark when Dave starts to sing,and the lyrics are awesome!!!
---- Will the ones who live after our end Worship the goddamn cross again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnlG0h7YN_8&feature=related
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2570 From: Czech Republic  |
I wonder what that commentary you mentioned in the beginning is. My CD seems to not have it.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 From: USA  |
Written by K✞ulu on 04.03.2009 at 07:11 It's included in the re-released version. Dave has comentary/events happening during the time of the recording at the begining of every re-release.
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2570 From: Czech Republic |
Written by Arian Totalis on 04.03.2009 at 16:45 that's weird... i've a got the re-released version, but it has a booklet which starts from the track list and goes on with lyrics, with some pictures between them. But that's it... no commentary. But the CD seems to be the original CD, not a bootleg...
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
Written by K✞ulu on 04.03.2009 at 17:36 Are you sure you have the 2004 re-release by Captial Records? It also features 4 bonus tracks. And like Arian said the booklet starts with commentary on the album by Mustaine which he signs off with "love and bruises, dave mustaine" then it is followed by megadeth is: original credits: original thanks: remix and remsater: then some thanks and the tracklist and then commentaryon the bonus tracks and only on page 7 do the lyrics start
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2570 From: Czech Republic |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 04.03.2009 at 18:03 The above description only applies to Peace Sells record, but both Countdown and Youthanasia don't have any of that stuff. However they are definitely the 2004 Capitol Records re-release and they are marked with "remixed / remastered" in the margin. The designs of the back covers are the same and all have bonus tracks... weird, ha?
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands |
Written by K✞ulu on 04.03.2009 at 18:56 Yes, weird indeed, cause the Youthanasia & So Far, So Good... So What! 2004 Capitol re-releases I have also have the same set-up as my Countdown re-release.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Arian Totalis The Philosopher Posts: 3351 From: USA |
Yeah, all my Megadeth albums are Capitol Records re-releases with the exception of "The System Has Failed." Which I should probably review soon....
---- "For the Coward there is no Life For the hero there is No Death" -Kakita Toshimoko "The Philosopher, you know so much about nothing at all." _Chuck Schuldiner.
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| Syk myspace/bonerama Posts: 1504 From: New Zealand  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 04.03.2009 at 19:00Regional variants, perhaps? I think I've seen two different versions of remasters for at least one of the 85-90 albums (yes, ignoring the 2002 KIMB) at one store here in NZWritten by K✞ulu on 04.03.2009 at 18:56Yes, weird indeed, cause the Youthanasia & So Far, So Good... So What! 2004 Capitol re-releases I have also have the same set-up as my Countdown re-release. Crappy album, decent review, and High Speed Dirt is fine. It's my favourite track after Ashes... the other songs can Go to Hell
---- death ? thrash ? death/doom/prog ? Hail Zoldon! he's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays
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| Angry Chair Posts: 153 From: UK  |
Really good album, this is their second best album after Rust in piece (obviously) Symphony of destruction is very catchy and addictive aswell.
---- "Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest." - Denis Diderot
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 60958 From: Sweden  |
I have 4 bonus track version and actually those 4 bonus tracks killed all, its best, maybe wrong word but its different, it nailed to me all here. I like those 4 bonus.
---- Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!! Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''  apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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