Megadeth

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983 by Dave Mustaine after his departure from Metallica. The group is one of the best-known names in American thrash metal and is usually grouped with Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica as one of the genre’s “big four”. Its line-up changes frequently, but Mustaine remains the only constant member.

Style and themes

The band is known for fast, precise rhythm work, complex guitar arrangements and dual lead guitar lines. Its lyrics often deal with war, politics, religion, mortality and personal relationships. Across its career, Megadeth works in heavy metal, metal, rock, speed metal and thrash metal.

Career

Megadeth releases its debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, in 1985 on Combat Records, which leads to a contract with Capitol Records. Its second album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, follows in 1986 and becomes a strong underground success. The band then issues a run of commercially successful albums including So Far, So Good... So What!, Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction.

Later studio albums include Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, Risk, The World Needs a Hero, The System Has Failed, United Abominations, Endgame, Thirteen, Super Collider, Dystopia and The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!. The group continues to tour internationally.

Line-up and members

Megadeth has a long history of personnel changes. Past and present members include Dijon Carruthers, Kerry King, Greg Handevidt, David Ellefson, Chris Poland, Lee Rausch, Gar Samuelson, Jay Reynolds, Chuck Behler, Jeff Young, Nick Menza, Marty Friedman, Jimmy DeGrasso, Al Pitrelli, James MacDonough, Glen Drover, Shawn Drover, Jimmie Lee Sloas, James LoMenzo, Chris Broderick, Kiko Loureiro, Dirk Verbeuren and Teemu Mäntysaari.

The current lineup includes Dave Mustaine, James LoMenzo, Teemu Mäntysaari and Dirk Verbeuren.

Achievements and other work

Megadeth receives platinum certification in the United States for five studio albums and earns twelve Grammy nominations. It wins its first Grammy Award in 2017 for “Dystopia” in the Best Metal Performance category. The band’s mascot, Vic Rattlehead, appears on album covers and in stage productions.

Outside its albums, Megadeth organises the Gigantour festival several times between 2005 and 2013 and launches the MegaCruise in 2019. The group sells more than 50 million albums worldwide.