History Of Metal: Megadeth
--by Borivoj Krgin, for Metal Edge Magazine
Megadeth came to life in 1983 when guitarist Dave Mustaine, fresh from his gig with Metallica, took off for Los Angeles and met up with an 18-year-old bassist named Dave Ellefson. After numerous personal shuffles that plagued much of the first couple of years of the band's existance, Megadeth inked a deal with New York's Combat Records and issued their first sonic assuult, Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! ( 1985 ).
1986's Peace Sells... But Who's Buying produced Megadeth's first "hit" in the shape of the title track, which received extensive MTV airplay and is still one of the group's more requested live tunes.
So Far, So Good... So What! followed in early 1988, further expanding the group's fanbase and signaling yet another lineup change as drummer Chuck Behler and guitarist Jeff Young were relieved of their duties soon after the band's completion of all touring commitments in support of the record.
After ridding themselves of substance-abuse habits that, in Mustaine's words, ruled their lives for much of the earlier years, the two Daves acquired axe-god Marty Friedman ( ex-Hawii/Cacophony ) and former roadie Nick Menza, and began to work on Rust In Peace , their third Capitol Records effort. A much more mature album than the band's earlier recordings, Rust In Peace ( September 1990 ) opened new doors for the L.A. quartet, as they embarked on an extensive world tour that saw them supporting Judas Priest as well as taking part in the "Clash Of The Titans" package in Europe and the States.
The success of R.I.P. was quickly followed up by Countdown To Extinction ( 1992 ), a more streamlined effort that showcased a more "commercial" side of the group's songwriting while attempting to retain the "bite" of the earlier releases. Having attained platinum status for the first time in their careers with their last outing, Megadeth are currently in Arizona working on the sixth full-length release, which is expected some time in late 1994.
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