YOUTHANASIA is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994. It saw Megadeth continuing a trend toward slower, more melodic hard rock songs which began with their commercial breakthrough album, COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION. Lyrically, the album displays a variety of influences: mythology ("Elysian Fields" and "Blood of Heroes"), rape and incest ("Family Tree"), nuclear war ("Black Curtains"), gambling ("Train of Consequences", which can also be seen on the video), and a hit about the last moments in life, "À Tout le Monde". The title is a pun on euthanasia, implying that society is euthanizing its youth, which would be consistent with bandleader and principal songwriter Dave Mustaine's views. The closing track, "Victory", refers to many of the band's previous songs throughout its lyrics.
Megadeth's previous album, COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION, was tremendously successful and the band was faced with the daunting task of making an album to follow it. It was a time of problems and conflicts for Megadeth, in that every two weeks or so according to Mustaine, there were "outrageous emotional interventions" in order to make the group a democracy. Many band meetings during this period concerned Mustaine's creative control over a "successful formula", so that the band could better exercise their creativity. Another problem was the indecision on where the recording would take place. Mustaine did not want to record in Los Angeles, so the band eventually decided to record in Phoenix in the home state of the majority of the band, Arizona. They began recording in Phase Four Studios in March 1994, but due to problems they left and decided to find another studio. There were no likely choices in Phoenix, so producer Max Norman suggested building a studio of their own. The construction process was recorded on EVOLVER - THE MAKING OF YOUTHANASIA. As of 2007, this is the only Megadeth album recorded in E-flat guitar tuning (guitar strings tuned down half a step). All preceding and subsequent albums are in standard tuning, with the exceptions of a few songs on other albums. Live performances of the songs from the album are also played in standard tuning.
The unnavoidable spiritually-damaged roar is audible immediately. Before even a single lyric of YOUTHANASIA's lead track "Reckoning Day" is uttered, the fierce twin guitar attack and the pounding double-bass drums betray the band's poetic motives. By the time Mustaine admits that "Life's fabric is corrupt/Shot through with corroded thread" on YOUTHANASIA's second track - and first single - "Train Of Consequences," Megadeth's plan of action is more than obvious. Disillusionment is at the core of life, Mustaine warns today's youth, recognize it early on before it grinds you down.
While such themes are an every day part of the speed-metal genre, YOUTHANASIA tackles the subject of maturing in the face of adversity with the skill of knowing professionals. Fitted into the album's sleek and streamlined production are arguments that straddle the border between complexity and naivete, but whose overall thesis is just as important to its alienated audience as gangsta rap is to its own. And while the grandeur of tracks like aformentioned "A Tout Le Monde" or "Elysian Fields" can be off-putting, they ultimately become life-affirming gestures for those who actually listen.
Megadeth:
Dave Mustaine - vocals, guitar Marty Friedman - guitar Dave Ellefson - bass Nick Menza - drums
All songs written by Megadeth & arranged by Megadeth & Max Norman.
Recorded at Fat Planet In Hangar 18, Phoenix, AZ.
Produced by Max Norman & Dave Mustaine for Zeus Produce.
Track Listing:
1. Reckoning Day - 4:34 2. Train of Consequences - 3:31 3. Addicted to Chaos - 5:27 4. A Tout le Monde - 4:22 5. Elysian Fields - 4:02 6. The Killing Road - 3:51 7. Blood of Heroes - 3:49 8. Family Tree - 4:11 9. Youthanasia - 4:07 10. I Thought I Knew It All - 3:42 11. Black Curtains - 3:37 12. Victory - 4:29
Youthanasia (1994) (CAPITOL RECORDS) (12 TRACKS)
ReplyDeleteMegadeth
Album Description:
YOUTHANASIA is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994. It saw Megadeth continuing a trend toward slower, more melodic hard rock songs which began with their commercial breakthrough album, COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION. Lyrically, the album displays a variety of influences: mythology ("Elysian Fields" and "Blood of Heroes"), rape and incest ("Family Tree"), nuclear war ("Black Curtains"), gambling ("Train of Consequences", which can also be seen on the video), and a hit about the last moments in life, "À Tout le Monde". The title is a pun on euthanasia, implying that society is euthanizing its youth, which would be consistent with bandleader and principal songwriter Dave Mustaine's views. The closing track, "Victory", refers to many of the band's previous songs throughout its lyrics.
Megadeth's previous album, COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION, was tremendously successful and the band was faced with the daunting task of making an album to follow it. It was a time of problems and conflicts for Megadeth, in that every two weeks or so according to Mustaine, there were "outrageous emotional interventions" in order to make the group a democracy. Many band meetings during this period concerned Mustaine's creative control over a "successful formula", so that the band could better exercise their creativity. Another problem was the indecision on where the recording would take place. Mustaine did not want to record in Los Angeles, so the band eventually decided to record in Phoenix in the home state of the majority of the band, Arizona. They began recording in Phase Four Studios in March 1994, but due to problems they left and decided to find another studio. There were no likely choices in Phoenix, so producer Max Norman suggested building a studio of their own. The construction process was recorded on EVOLVER - THE MAKING OF YOUTHANASIA. As of 2007, this is the only Megadeth album recorded in E-flat guitar tuning (guitar strings tuned down half a step). All preceding and subsequent albums are in standard tuning, with the exceptions of a few songs on other albums. Live performances of the songs from the album are also played in standard tuning.
The unnavoidable spiritually-damaged roar is audible immediately. Before even a single lyric of YOUTHANASIA's lead track "Reckoning Day" is uttered, the fierce twin guitar attack and the pounding double-bass drums betray the band's poetic motives. By the time Mustaine admits that "Life's fabric is corrupt/Shot through with corroded thread" on YOUTHANASIA's second track - and first single - "Train Of Consequences," Megadeth's plan of action is more than obvious. Disillusionment is at the core of life, Mustaine warns today's youth, recognize it early on before it grinds you down.
While such themes are an every day part of the speed-metal genre, YOUTHANASIA tackles the subject of maturing in the face of adversity with the skill of knowing professionals. Fitted into the album's sleek and streamlined production are arguments that straddle the border between complexity and naivete, but whose overall thesis is just as important to its alienated audience as gangsta rap is to its own. And while the grandeur of tracks like aformentioned "A Tout Le Monde" or "Elysian Fields" can be off-putting, they ultimately become life-affirming gestures for those who actually listen.
ReplyDeleteMegadeth:
Dave Mustaine - vocals, guitar
Marty Friedman - guitar
Dave Ellefson - bass
Nick Menza - drums
All songs written by Megadeth & arranged by Megadeth & Max Norman.
Recorded at Fat Planet In Hangar 18, Phoenix, AZ.
Produced by Max Norman & Dave Mustaine for Zeus Produce.
Track Listing:
1. Reckoning Day - 4:34
2. Train of Consequences - 3:31
3. Addicted to Chaos - 5:27
4. A Tout le Monde - 4:22
5. Elysian Fields - 4:02
6. The Killing Road - 3:51
7. Blood of Heroes - 3:49
8. Family Tree - 4:11
9. Youthanasia - 4:07
10. I Thought I Knew It All - 3:42
11. Black Curtains - 3:37
12. Victory - 4:29