Megadeth

It has often been noted that revenge is sweet and for Megadeth founder, songwriter and frontman Dave Mustaine, a contentious yet constant rise to fame, has quenched his thirst for revenge all that much sweeter. Originally with the heavy metal band Metallica, Mustaine had several conflicts with the group, mainly over his alcohol problems and when he was fired from the group in 1983, he determined his music would be faster and harder than his previous group.

A slew of band member changes plagued the group throughout its 20-plus year history and the ever-changing line up did not slow down until Mustaine was ordered into substance abuse therapy in 1989. He also dissolved the band in 2002 following an accident that caused nerve damage in his left arm, but following two years of intensive physical and shock therapy, brought it back together in 2004 and rebuilt their commercial success.

In spite of the internal problems and constant crew changes, Megadeth is considered one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all times in the United States as well as in Europe. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide with a string of gold or platinum releases along with Grammy nominations in seven consecutive years. Having gone through 14 of 18 official band members, Mustaine remains as the sole survivor of the original group.

His rough vocal style as lead singer, a role he assumed after a months-long search failed to reveal a lead vocalist, is partly credited to their success. Along with lyrical themes on politics, war and addiction, to which the fans can relate, their style and sound is proving a mainstay in the heavy metal circuit. They remain in contention with three other groups, Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer as one of the top trash metal bands in the world.

Their first platinum album released in 1985, Killing is My Business…and Business is Good was recorded on Combat Records, but a thin production budget irritated Mustaine and he went looking for another label. Of course, spending half of the initial budget of drugs and alcohol, forced some of the production qualities to be compromised. The second album Peace Sells…But Who's Buying, was released by Capital Records, beginning a 14-year relationship, was also certified platinum.

Their commercial success continued with other Capital releases such as So Far, So Good…So What, in 1988 and Rust in Peace in 1990, both certified platinum followed by the mega-hit album Countdown to Extinction which went double platinum. It also earned the band the Doris Day Music Award, present by the Humane Society of the United States for spotlighting the extinction of certain species as well as putting a spotlight on the sport of hunting in fenced preserves.

Another platinum release, Youthanasia from Capital and Cryptic Writings may have been the beginning of an and to their relationship with Capital as Mustaine, reviewing their success with producers, gave more production control while recording Risk in 1999 in Nashville and the album tanked, rebuked by critics and fans alike, it was going to take self-examination and a return to their heavy roots to get them back on the favorite side.

Moving to Sanctuary Records for The World Needs a Hero in 2001, it looked as though it may be their last commercial attempt when Mustaine suffered his arm injury. However, he re-emergence as a major player following rehabilitation in 2004, was cemented with the release of The System has Failed, which debuted at number 18 on Billboard's top 200 albums.

The 2007 release of United Abominations on Roadrunner Records, is bringing the group back into the mainstream heavy metal with a fury, continuing their run on the music scene.