Youthanasia was released in 1994 with the following lineup:
Dave Mustaine: vocals, guitar
Marty Friedman: guitar
Nick Menza: drums
David Ellefson: bass
With Countdown to extinction coming out 2 years prior, and being one of the best selling albums of their time, It may have been a little stressful trying to top it. When I first put the CD in, I figured "Ehh, it's the old 'Deth but it still lacks the 'zing' CTE had." Nope, I was wrong. As with most Megadeth albums, the second time through is always best. The following are individual song reviews:
1. Reckoning Day - Starts off with a pretty cool/heavy riff. Mustaine starts it off talking, while fades into his signature tone. Mini solo's here and there really add to the song. -
4/5
2. Train of Consequences - Pretty cool rythm guitar, and lyrics to go along with it. The Chorus picks it up from being a low-toned song. The solo is really fitting, and sounds great. One of my favorites on the album because of its 'easy-to-listen-to' feel. (The video is pretty cool too, if you get a chance to see it). -
5/5
3. Addicted to Chaos - Nick Menza's drumming starts this song out to be a great one. The main riff of it is also an instant classic. The main solo is awesome, and makes for a great, calm tone. Awesome lyrics along with stunning vocals -
4/5
4. A Tout Le Monde - The albums signature song, basically. Awesome lyrics and vocals (Even in French!). A semi acoustic sounding intro fades into a semi-heavy mid-chorus makes for a perfect transition. The solos fit perfectly, but it's the lyrics and vocals that make it excellent. Probably the best song of the album, I love it! -
5/5
5. Elysian Fields - A great distorted Megadeth tone to this one. Vocals and rythm guitars go hand in hand to make for a really cool song. No guitar solos in this one, but a harmonica solo makes up for it pretty well. -
3.5/5
6. The Killing Road - Again, the main riff is an instant classic that you'll probably want to learn. The lyrics are really cool, and would only work with Mustaine's voice. The solo in this song is pretty amazing. Great song. -
4/5
7. The Blood of Heroes - I'm not too into this one, but you have to appreciate the instrumental value of it. Starts off with some gong-drum things, and the guitar is pretty cool. A semi-dark tone to it, and even the solo is pretty low pitched at the start, but it picks itself up into a screaming recovery for the song. -
3/5
8. Family Tree - Good guitaring, even though it takes a bit to pick up. Another lyric based song, even though Marty's soloing easily over-powers it. Kind of bland, but it's cool to listen too. -
3.5/5
9. Youthanasia - A Very, very cool opening/rythm riff from the guitar. I loves Mustaine's vocals, but these are just kinda odd. It picks up around the mid/end song with a cutting solo from Marty, and a cool backing to it by Mustaine. Not a bad song, just kind of wierd. -
3/5
10. I thought I knew it all - Pretty cool, with more mini-soloing everywhere. The lyrics are cool, and the solo is even better. The vocals are much better than in Youthanasia. -
4/5
11. Black Curtains - The rythm guitar gives the song a kind of speedy and distorted sound. Lower in tone, and a little faster in tempo the some of the others, but the solo picks it up from being a low toned grungy song. Rythm guitar riff is pretty cool, vocals are good. -
3.5/5
12. Victory - Starts off with fast vocals, and Megadeth puns everywhere like '...Because killing is my business', 'By the Skin of my Teeth', 'May the Past Rust in peace in Hangar 18' etc... Really cool when you hear all of the Song titles being used as puns for the songs. The solo in this one is brilliant, and gives the song a true Megadeth signature feel. -
4.5/5
-There you have it. The album is heavier than things like 'Risk' but, a little calmer than the speed metal of 'Countdown to Extinction'. Deffinetley a perfect album to pop in and hear the old Megadeth again. If you're into lyrical values, this one is also perfect for you. It's pretty hard to review this one without wanting to use reference to the Making of.. Video, Revolver. If you get a chance to check that out, then do so. It really adds to the album, and a great addition to your collection. Overall, the album will recieve a
4/5 from me.
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Pros - Heavier Megadeth than some later albums
- Good lyrics
- The solos of every song are pretty amazing
- A really f*ckin' cool album cover!
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Cons - Just doesn't have possess the true cutting guitar work they're capable of.
Thanks for reading, and feedback is definitely welcomed!
