Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American thrash/heavy metal band, Megadeth. The album lasts a duration of 47:26. It was released on July 6, 1992, under the record label known as Capitol Records.
Lineup:
Dave Mustaine – Rhythm guitar, lead guitar, lead vocals
David Ellefson – Bass guitar, backing vocals
Marty Friedman – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Nick Menza – Drums, backing vocals
Production:
Produced by Max Norman and Dave Mustaine
Engineered and mixed by Max Norman with Fred Kelly, Jr.
Additional engineer: Micajah Ryan
Background:
Following the huge success of Rust in Peace, Megadeth would shift to a more arena style metal sound like Metallica did on The Black Album. I really enjoy Countdown to Extinction because it showed more mature song writing and improved vocals from Mustaine.
Countdown to Extinction features songs with environmental, military, and politically charged lyrics that are memorable and important. The actual music is simplified and slowed down to make a more groove based metal record as well.
Countdown to Extinction reached number 2 on the Billboard 200. The album has since gone 2x Platinum in the United States. Each track will be rated as follows: Awful, Very Poor, Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Great, and Superb. Here are my thoughts on each track:
Track Listing:
1. "Skin o' My Teeth" 3:14
I love the guitar riffs and the guitar solo as well. Dave's voice has definitely continued to get better as well. The lyrics are speculated to be about suicide, but it's up to the listener's interpretation. This is well placed as the opener.
Grade: Great
2. "Symphony of Destruction" 4:02
The guitar riff in this song is probably the most famous from the band. I can hum it at any time. The guitar solo is also one of the band's best and lyrically I enjoy this song a lot. The chorus is phenomenal. The bass is nice as well. This is my favorite Megadeth track of all time.
Grade: Superb
3. "Architecture of Aggression" 3:34
I love how the song opens up with machine gun fire and then goes into an absolutely sick guitar riff. Dave's vocals are very unsettling like Dave always seems to be able to do. The guitar soloing is excellent throughout. Lyrically, it shows more maturity for the band when it comes to song writing.
Grade: Great
4. "Foreclosure of a Dream" 4:17
This is definitely one of Megadeth's best songs lyrically that they have ever done. The chorus is very memorable and Dave's voice is so memorable. The guitar riffs during the chorus are simple, but are really memorable. The guitar solo is short and sweet.
Grade: Great
5. "Sweating Bullets" 5:03
Now comes the weirdest track that Megadeth has probably ever done. It deals with Dave Mustaine's inner demons and his constant fight to ignore the voices in his head. Dave's voice is so unique and the guitar riff that occurs during the verses is very catchy. The chorus is upbeat and really contrasts the rest of the song. The guitar solo is fantastic as usual. I think this track demonstrates some of Megadeth's most genius song writing.
Grade: Superb
6. "This Was My Life" 3:42
I love the opening guitar riff in the song and it puts you right into the action of the song. Again, Megadeth delivers another terrific chorus with great guitar work. The chugging riffs are a great touch. The guitar solo is just fantastic. Dave's voice sounds great as well.
Grade: Great
7. "Countdown to Extinction" 4:16
The opening is one of the best from the album thanks to its terrific bass. I love Dave's voice as well as the terrific lyrics. The chorus is basically perfect thanks to its intricate riffing and a great vocal delivery. The guitar solo is amazing in its simplicity. This one of the best the band has ever written both lyrically and musically.
Grade: Superb
8. "High Speed Dirt" 4:12
I love the opening to this track. It's fantastic thanks to its more fast and thrash oriented guitar riff. The quicker pace reminds me of the more thrash oriented Megadeth. The guitar solos are definitely the best part of the entire song. For me, this is the weaker tracks from the album, but it is still an enjoyable listen.
Grade: Above Average
9. "Psychotron" 4:42
I love the riff that opens this track. The drum beat will have your head nodding as well. The guitar licks are used well during the exact right times. The chorus is definitely the most memorable part of the entire song. I do not like Dave's vocal delivery that much during the verses, but they aren't bad. The first guitar solo is terrific for the short time that it lasts and the second definitely closes the song on a high note.
Grade: Above Average
10. "Captive Honour" 4:14
This song has a very dramatic feel to it, but I really love it. I enjoy the unique more progressive song writing showed at the beginning during the court room themed scene. The guitar riffs are absolutely fantastic. The chorus is instantly memorable as well. The first guitar solo is great sounding and has some serious bite to it. Lyrically, I really enjoy it a lot. The second and third solos are just as good as the different techniques are displayed.
Grade: Good
11. "Ashes in Your Mouth" 6:10
I love the beginning riffs to this track and the speed they demonstrate. This is definitely the thrashiest song on the entire album. I love Dave's gritty vocal delivery because of his menacing sound. The chorus is really good and is so memorable. The guitar soloing on this track is so brilliant. It may be the best from the entire record.
Grade: Superb
My Verdict:
Megadeth's Countdown to Extinction is one of the most iconic heavy metal albums of all time and matched Metallica's Black Album in many ways. This may be my favorite Dave Mustaine vocal performance on any record and the other band members perform to their fullest abilities as well. This is one of my favorite Megadeth albums because of its consistentency all the way through its entirety.
