Since 1983, Megadeth have been doing things their way, taking risks and
reaping the benefits of their staunch individuality. Along the way, the band has
amassed a diehard following, played to sold-out audiences around the world
and generated over $20 million in record sales. Indeed, Megadeth has become
an institution amongst fans of hard guitar rock. With the release of their
platinum 1997 album, "Cryptic Writings," Megadeth had four chart topping
rock radio hits, co-headlined OZZfest, were nominated for their seventh
Grammy, performed for Howard Stern's Birthday Bash, and recorded the
ESPN X-Games theme song. They were also featured on the soundtracks,
"Mortal Kombat: Annihilation," "Strangeland," "ESPN XGames Vol.1," and
"Songs of the WitchBlade."
Megadeth is not a call for Armageddon. It's a name that was built 16 years
ago upon a foundation of cold war politics, economic upheaval and cutthroat
capitalism. "When I left my previous band, I was looking for paper to write
lyrics on because I was trying to keep myself from going insane on a four-day
bus ride," explains Megadeth vocalist, lyricist and bandleader Dave Mustaine.
"I found a handbill from Senator Allan Cranston that was talking about the
danger of nuclear armament. It said, 'The power of megadeath can't be rid,'
and I thought, 'What a fantastic name, it represents extreme power.'"
Fans have flocked to Megadeth in growing numbers, inspired and excited by
the band's constant desire to evolve and mature without straying too far from
their signature sound. The group's ninth (eighth studio) and latest album,
appropriately titled "Risk," is its greatest creative stride since "Countdown to
Extinction" in 1992, on which Megadeth broke from their pure thrash metal
roots and delved into the art of heavy, melodic songwriting. In an era where
established hard rock and heavy metal acts are being swallowed up by the
new breed of cutting edge bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Rage Against the
Machine, Megadeth continue to blaze bold, new trails.
"I think the song is something that people aren't going to expect," says
Mustaine. "It was inspired by a lot of the English rave and techno bands, but
at the same time, it's pretty heavy. It's talking about insomnia, but it's really a
tongue in cheek song about my life during the '80s, something that anyone
who has ever been into staying up all night partying can relate to."
The tune sets the scene for the rest of Risk to unfold. In truth, Megadeth
could easily have shifted into autopilot and cranked out a dozen or so
dynamic numbers in the vein of their hugely successful last album Cryptic
Writings, but that wouldn't have been creatively fulfilling, and it wouldn't have
proven challenging enough for their demanding fans, who have grown to
expect sonic evolution and unpredictable musical twists. Instead, they
decided to push the envelope and dive headlong into a number of textures and
styles previously unexplored. As a result, Risk is a compelling, contemporary
disc -- an explosive melange that runs the gamut from instantly infectious to
wonderfully experimental. And in between, there's plenty of crunchy, distorted
riffs and sneering vocals on songs like "Prince of Darkness," "Seven" and
"The Doctor's Calling" that will prove immediately familiar to longtime fans and
casual listeners alike.
"Last album, Lars Ulrich from Metallica said something to me through the
press," explains Mustaine of the album's title. "He said he thinks I am
talented but that I should take more risks, which I took as good advice. As
this new record evolved, it became more and more appropriate to call it Risk.
And after all, the band is called Megadeth - we aren't afraid to take chances."
"We are heading in a much more melodic direction with this record," says
Mustaine. "We've played fast and heavy for so long that I think that we would
be painting ourselves into a corner if we continued to do that. We can't make
Rust In Peace for the rest of our lives and I think our fans will understand that.
We've been able to constantly grow, and at the same time, most of our
records have gone platinum, and I'm extremely proud of that."
Another breakthrough track for Megadeth is the first single, "Crush 'Em," a
celebratory hard rock anthem featured in the film and soundtrack of Universal
Soldier: The Return starring superstar WCW wrestler Goldberg and martial
arts/actor Jean Claude Van Damme. "I made that song out of a love for
hockey," says Mustaine. "I go to a lot of Phoenix Coyotes games, and
whenever they score a goal, they play "Rock and Roll part II" by Gary Glitter,
and I'm just tired of that song. I thought, 'maybe we can do something that is
celebratory and inspiring. So we did "Crush 'Em," which we also felt would be
good for any sport."
Once again Megadeth worked with producer Dan Huff, who has had a major
impact on the band's growth since Cryptic Writings. Huff's experience has
taught him that impulse and improvisation are as vital to creativity as
premeditated songwriting. The process helped Megadeth turn Risk into their
boldest, most personally expressive album to date.
One of the areas Huff helped Mustaine out with most, was the singer's vocal
delivery. This time, he exhibits a dynamic display of style and technique that
ranges in tone from soft and sentimental to raw and ravaging. "Sometimes it
was something as simple as changing the position of the vocal mike in the
studio so I wasn't straining my vocal chords," Mustaine says. "I also took
vocal lessons before I went into the studio, which helped me to improve my
posture and technique."
Also providing Megadeth with fresh blood was new bandmember, drummer
Jimmy DeGrasso. DeGrasso had previously worked with Alice Cooper and
Suicidal Tendencies, and he first worked with Mustaine four years ago, when
the two played together in the side project MD45. DeGrasso was raised on
sheer, unadulterated rock 'n' roll, providing Megadeth with a granite-solid
rhythmic foundation to build upon. "Jimmy is a very professional drummer,
and he fits in really well," says Mustaine.
There's an old clichι that goes "nothing ventured, nothing gained." On Risk,
Megadeth have ventured to the outermost reaches of the hard rock universe,
and returned with their most ambitious record to date. Whether tinkering with
drum machines, experimenting with soaring melodies, or grinding away on
eerie, minor-key rhythms, Megadeth demonstrates a hunger for progress and
a knack for quality songwriting. And as catchy as it is, the album contains
many levels both musically and lyrically that will drive the band well beyond
the new Millennium. "It's one of those records that you can listen to on the
first spin and sort of get it, but you have to listen to it a few times to hear
everything," says Mustaine. "That's what has worked so great for us. Risk
was one of the records we had the most fun making and I think it comes
across - it continues to come alive every time you play it."
