Megadeth

Youthanasia

"Youthanasia" Gives Heavy Metal A Decent Name

Review Score:

(10/10)
In most ways, heavy metal foursome Megadeth is a more intelligent and musically flexible version of Metallica; this is not made surprising (or derivative), as guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine was the former's original lead guitarist, and his writing influence was even felt by Metallica to their second album--all after he had been fired from the band. Relevant comparisons aside, Mustaine, Nick Menza, Marty Friedman, & David Ellefson continue to prove their dominance of heavy metal (and give Metallica a run for their money when it comes to merit) with their 1994 masterpiece, the inventive, yet underappreciated, "Youthanasia."
The tracks contained on this disc are pure heavy metal, and still hold a powerful musical and lyrical element of classical arrangements, as heard in the intro of 'Blood Of Heroes' (which also displays great vocal mixing) and the harrowing 'A Tout Le Monde.' 'Train Of Consequences' sounds like an updated rock version of Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman" while other songs like the title track, 'Family Tree,' and 'Addicted To Chaos' are so genuinely real they are nearly heartwrenching.
"Youthanasia" remains a surreal heavy metal accomplishment, though slightly obscured by some of Megadeth's more often-noted albums. The band attributes its label as "below standards" to producer Max Norman's theory that the tracks had to be 250 beats a minute in order to get on the radio (as they contend in an interview with the magazine "Maximum Guitar"). Nonetheless, "Youthanasia" is solid, and its heavy metal foundation is both blistering and gutwrenching.

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