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Track Listing: Symphony of Destruction Architecture of Aggression Foreclosure of a Dream Sweating Bullets Countdown to Extinction High Speed Dirt Psychotron Captive Honour Ashes in Your Mouth

"Countdown to Extinction" is one CD that truly stands the test of time, not just for Megadeth, but for metal CD's in general. This was Megadeth's fifth studio release, which sold over two million copies, went double platinum, and increased their fan base without compromising their integrity. Almost half the songs were hit singles, and the rest could have been.

The entire CD is raw, aggressive, and in your face. The guitar hooks are powerful, and so catchy they seem to permanently stick in your head. Many of the songs themes are political, or about the military. They also use samples in several songs, of gunfire and news programs.

Any metal fan knows the famous hook in "Symphony of Destruction" ...dun na na, da da da dun na na....I even learned to play it on guitar back in the day, and I don't even play guitar!

"Foreclosure" is the 'ballad' on the CD, and it holds true to Mustaine's outspoken political views. The lyrics to this song almost seem more relevant today than when they were written back in 1992.

I think everyone can relate on some level to the schizophrenic "Sweating Bullets." Dave is arguing with himself! Some of the lyrics include: "hello me, meet the real me, in my misfits way of life" and "hello me, it's me again, you can subdue me, but never tame me."

The title track, "Countdown to Extinction" is another song that may be even more relative today than when it was written. This song even won Megadeth the "Genesis Award" from the Humane Society of the United States for its dealings with animal welfare issues!

"Captive Honour" is another song that always stood out to me. It starts out slow, with just Mustaine and guitar. Then the band kicks it into full gear, right before the famous court case where Mustaine is found guilty on all accounts of crimes against humanity and is incarcerated for life!

Overall, "Countdown" is an amazing CD. It is one the best Megadeth CD's that have been released to date, and the issues that it deals with are still relevant...eighteen years after this album's release. In August of 2004, Capital Records released a re-mastered version of "Countdown to Extinction," which included four bonus songs. If for any reason this CD isn't part of your collection, I strongly suggest you get it now.

Keep Rockin'

Alison

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Megadeth's Countdown to Extinction came out while I was in Junior High School. Most of my friends were already on board with the Megadeth movement, but I was late to join. This album changed that. At the time, "Symphony of Destruction" was one of the coolest things I had ever heard (how little did I know at the time!). There were commercials, videos, word of mouth and so on. If a similar campaign to promote a song and album happened today, critics would say that it was being pushed down our throats, but in this era- it was the norm. "Sweating Bullets" was also a big deal and is another perfect example of the era. I look back at the song and video now and laugh. At the time- it was huge. The video, featuring Dave Mustaine talking to himself in a mirror, used some effects that were state of the art at the time, but looking back now seem ridiculous. I can still stomach the song, but when I think of myself at that age I cringe. Countdown to Extinction was a hell of a release at the time. 20 years later it is solid, but I doubt anyone will ever confuse it as some of Megadeth's best work.