Megadeth
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Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—along with Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica—and is credited with helping to develop and popularize the genre. Their music features intricate arrangements, fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes such as war, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships.
In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including So Far, So Good... So What! (1988), Rust in Peace (1990) and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums, along with worldwide tours, brought them public recognition. Megadeth's most recent album, The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!, was released in 2022. On August 14, 2025, Mustaine announced that the band's upcoming seventeenth studio album and 2026 tour will be their last.
Megadeth has undergone frequent lineup changes throughout its 42-year career, with Mustaine being the sole consistent member of the band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megadeth's current lineup includes Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
Megadeth earned platinum certifications in the United States for five of its sixteen studio albums, and has received twelve Grammy nominations. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category. The band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, regularly appears on album artwork and live shows. Megadeth hosted their own music festival, Gigantour, several times from July 2005 to August 2013, and held its first MegaCruise in October 2019. As of 2023, the band sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.
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- The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Life In Hell - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Night Stalkers - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Dogs Of Chernobyl - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Sacrifice - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Junkie - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Psychopathy - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Killing Time - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Soldier On! - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Célebutante - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Mission To Mars - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- We’ll Be Back - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Police Truck - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- This Planet’s On Fire (Burn In Hell) - The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! - Megadeth
- Blackmail the Universe - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Set the World Afire - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Skin of My Teeth - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Wake up Dead - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- In My Darkest Hour - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Die Dead Enough - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- She Wolf - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Reckoning Day - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- à Toute Le Monde - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Angry Again - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Hangar 18 - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Return to Hangar - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- I'll Be There - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Tornado of Souls - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Trust - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Something That I'm Not - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Kick the Chair - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Coming Home to Argentina - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Symphony of Destruction - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Peace Sells - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
- Holy Wars...The Punishment Due - Live at Obras Sanitarias Stadium, Argentina, 2005 - That One Night: Live In Buenos Aires - Megadeth
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