Youthanasia (Digitally Remastered) - Megadeth

Megadeth - Youthanasia

"Youthanasia" is the 6th studio album by American thrash metal band, Megadeth. It was released in 1994 on Capitol Records and produced by Dave Mustaine & Max Norman. The line-up for the album was Dave Mustaine (vocals/guitar), Marty Friedman (guitar), David Ellefson (bass) and Nick Menza (drums).

Introduction

This was the third of four Megadeth albums recorded with the classic line-up of Mustaine, Friedman, Ellefson & Menza, and peaked at No.6 in the UK album charts, with "Train of Consequences" reaching No.22 in the UK singles charts. It was also the second of three Megadeth albums to be co-produced by Max Norman.

Reckoning Day

This song gets the album off to an excellent start, as yet again Mustaine conjures up a magical and incredibly heavy riff. The song has no chorus as such, but for a very short couple of lines in the middle and near the end which are simply wonderful. The vocals sound great, and when you hear it for the first time, you begin to wonder how the album will take shape because of such a good first song. The track is about contradiction between two factions, be it religion v atheism or rap v metal, and how everyone will always argue their case believing they're right and the other is not. The drum outro is so simple, yet so effective, too.

Train of Consequences

This is a song about a man with a gambling problem, and in a clever twist in the tale the narrator is the system that always wins, taking the man's money. The guitars are strong here, especially Ellefson's bass which has a great riff to it. Also of note is the incredibly intricate solo by Marty Friedman, giving the solo master himself a run for his money, outdoing Mustaine.

Addicted to Chaos

This is a song about drug addiction; in this case, Dave Mustaine's own heroin problems, and how his sponsor who was clean and sober relapsed one day and overdosed. It relates to the conundrum then of who he can turn to for help when he needs it most. The lyrics, as you can imagine, are dark and moody, and once again the guitars of Mustaine and Friedman are so 'together', feeding off each other like seasoned partners can only do.

A Tout le Monde

This isn't just the best song on the album; it's one of the best Megadeth songs out there. It's another song which is personal to Dave Mustaine and centres around how he felt, or has felt, in certain points in his life. It's basically a suicide note by the narrator on the song, about how life is getting harder to live and that he can't cope with it any more. There is a verse in French (which is the note itself) and it goes like this:

For those that don't know French, it translates as:

However, it must be said that Mustaine has said it's not about suicide, but is about how you have a loved one who passes away and what you'd have wanted to say to them before they did. Either way, it's still a beautifully written song and the feeling that goes into it is stunning, especially the last riff.

Elysian Fields

This brings us full circle on the Megadeth thrash metal bus and pounds along with a crushing riff. I'm not sure if the backing vocals works on the song, though, but it's played well by guitars and drums. It's a song about human nature and how we still fight man to man for causes in which we believe. It's certainly not the best song on the album by any means.

The Killing Road

Another record which has an amazing riff is "The Killing Road". Add to that the incredibly catchy chorus, and you have a winner. While the Ramones said "Touring is never boring", Megadeth is saying that it can often be lonely, because you're missing being at home with family and friends. Out on the road you can't have any of that, and it becomes tiresome but it pays the bills so you keep on doing it.

Blood of Heroes

This is a heart-felt song about a company of soldiers who are locked in a battle and how even if they're cut down in their prime, they'll still be together in the afterlife. The song itself has a great main guitar riff, a driven solo and some outstanding drumming from Nick Menza. It may not be the best song on the album, but it's here where Megadeth is together as one and you can feel the energy in the chorus.

Family Tree

This is another of my favourites off the album. David Ellefson's bass playing shows through here, giving the fan a taste of how good he really is. There's some simple but good riffing from Mustaine and Friedman, and the chorus is incredibly catchy. So catchy, that I guarantee it'll be in your head for hours after listening to it. The lyrics, however, take on a more serious side to things, in that they're about a father molesting his child, telling her not to tell a soul. It must've been very difficult to write and record, but fair play to Megadeth for breaking the boundaries.

Youthanasia

The title track is up next and this is where it kinda loses its way a little, attempting to pull you into a more groove-orientated genre than plain old thrash metal. However, all that is forgotten about halfway through when a pulverising solo duel hits between the two guitarists. It's a play on words as the narrator is telling us that his country is doomed and would the last person out switch off the light.

I Thought I Knew it All

This is one of those songs which has an enjoyable hook in the chorus but it's about all it does. Those that like the softer approach to music will like it. Personally, it's not for me and I think it's a weak ending to what is the track on the album I wish hadn't been put on. It's a song about a man who's going through life thinking he knows everything when, in fact, he knows very little about the world around him.

Black Curtains

This reminds me of early Megadeth. I wouldn't say off their first album, but it wouldn't sound out of place on "Peace Sells... But who's Buying?" The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't really get going into a steady rhythm - it's too much like it's trying to work but misses the target. The upside is, there's some really enjoyable soloing going on near the end of the song.

Victory

The final song off the album, "Victory", is two fingers up to the critics that said Dave Mustaine could never crawl out of the shadow of his former band, Metallica, and also how he's changed his life since being clean from the heroin addiction which ravaged his body. The lyrics are a very clever take on numerous Megadeth songs, paying homage to the success and saluting the fans. The music is set to some classic riffs in that Megadeth style we've been accustomed to over the years.

Summary

A lot of people would say Megadeth's best was behind them when this album was recorded, but as far as I'm concerned the band's best never left, and "Youthanasia" is a continuation of more great Megadeth music. Don't just take my word for it, though, have a listen for yourself and buy this record. Mr. Mustaine can't put a foot wrong when he picks up a guitar and sings into a microphone.

Track Listing

1. Reckoning Day
2. Train of Consequences
3. Addicted to Chaos
4. A Tout le Monde
5. Elysian Fields
6. The Killing Road
7. Blood of Heroes
8. Family Tree
9. Youthanasia
10. I Thought I Knew it All
11. Black Curtains
12. Victory