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Megadeth resurrects a classic and cranks things up live

© Caroline Paone

For diehard metal fans Megadeth is the real deal. They were the underdogs of metal who made it to the playoffs; and could now be considered hall-of-famers. After guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica in 1983, he formed Megadeth with a loud, maniacal vengeance. The original lineup consisted of Dave Ellefson on bass, Chris Poland on guitar and Gars Samuelson on drums. Guitarist Mustaine became their singer by default and spearheaded the band's signature sound and statement-heavy lyrics.

Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good, was released in 1985 on the independent label, Combat. The album was a hit for metal audiences and more and also got the attention of Capitol Records, who later signed the band. Other recording highlights for Megadeth were Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? in 1986, Countdown to Extinction in 1992 and Youthanasia in 1994, which all went Platinum.

Megadeth has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide since 1985 and has had seven Grammy nominations. After a series of lineup changes over the years the band forged on and is still a thriving attraction touring the world. Drummer Jimmy DeGrasso later entered the band and the millennium saw the addition of veteran rock guitarist Al Pitrelli. The guitarist added his signature style to the mix and live shows, while staying true to the band's sound. Megadeth released The World Needs a Hero in 2001 on Sanctuary Records, garnering a successful tour and debuting in the Billboard Top 15.

What's Old is New Again
New on the Mega front is a re-release of their vintage album Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good-with a few surprises. Loud Records will be handling the release, which will be available February 5, 2002. The album marks a milestone in metal history and is worthy of a full-fledged come back. Due to business and creative conflicts the original album was released with incomplete songs and mixes, minus Mustaine's original artwork. Resurrecting the original tracking tapes allowed Megadeth and producer/engineer Bill Kennedy to remix the entire album, with the initial vision the band had for it.

A cover of Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walkin' resurfaces, which caused some controversy this time around. It was finally included after some of Mustaine's added lyrics were bleeped out. Mustaine's original cover concept for Killing Is My Business has been restored, and beefed-up liner notes by Mustaine and Ellefson have been integrated. Three unreleased bonus tracks (which were on the original demo tape the band had submitted to Combat records) will see the light of day on the re-released version.

Mega Classic

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