Upon purchasing Megadeth’s Youthanasia, I had very low expectations. After reading Mikesn’s lovely review, and doing a bit of pondering, I finally decided to go out and spend some money on it. The fact that it was released in the mid-nineties scared me a little, and I knew that I didn’t always agree with the opinion of Mikesn(no offense whatsoever). Maybe I enjoyed it so greatly because of my low expectations. I am not sure, but I am sure that Youthanasia is a great album.
Megadeth is generally considered thrash metal, but this album is not thrash. It’s more of a lighter metal sound. This is a good thing though. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of heavy moments. The opening track, entitled
Reckoning Day, is quite heavy, and it is one of the highlights of the album. The evil and bitter vocals of Dave Mustaine fit with the song very well, as well as the evilish lyrics. Some say that Mustaine’s vocals are annoying, and they can be on this album, but mostly, the fit with the music. Mustaine’s singing style is, like I said before, is very bitter sounding. In many of the songs, he just sounds like some angry guy speaking in the microphone. His guitar style is very good as well. He is quite underrated. Dave’s guitar skills are not spectacular. He is no Dave Murray, no Adrian Smith, no Kirk Hammett, but I do enjoy his playing very well. What about the bass playing and the drumming? Megadeth is Dave Mustaine’s band. So of course, Dave is the one you’re paying attention to most of the time. The bass and drums are there, but they are not spectacular in any way whatsoever. Another good thing about the album is its catchiness.
Train Of Consequences is one of the more laid-back tracks on the album, but it is a very good track and it is insanely catchy. It has a more “radio-friendly” feel to it, yet that is no problem, because it still remains a good track. The main problem with that song is Dave’s somewhat annoying vocals. On the first couple of listens, it sounds stupid, but after a couple of listens it grows on you very well.
A Tout Le Monde is one of the other highlights of the album. It begins with Dave Mustaine singing over an acoustic intro, and then the heaviness kicks in. It may be one of the more “radio-friendly” tracks on the album, but like with Train Of Consequences, this is not a problem at all. The riffs are solid, and the chorus is very catchy. Mustaine sings most of the chorus in French, which is quite obvious by the title of the song. Like I said before, the riffs are very well-done and quite solid. A different version of the song is on Megadeth’s lastest effort, United Abominations.
Addicted To Chaos is another highlight, as well as the final track on the album,
Victory. The riffs are catchy and very well-played, and this is one of the catchiest songs on the album.
Youthanasia is not a perfect album.
Blood Of Heroes is probably my least favorite song on the album, yet it is still enjoyable. And my main complaint with the album is that it’s just too short. It’s just ten minutes short of an hour, but after the final second of Victory passes by, you just crave more. And more. And more. Listening to the album two or three times in a row is quite fun, and to feel fully satisfied, it is needed.
Overall, Megadeth’s Youthanasia is an excellent album. If you are expecting an insanely heavy masterpiece, you need to look for something else. If you want a fun and catchy album that is very enjoyable and still heavy, you’re in the right place. If you don’t like lighter and more mainstream Megadeth, don’t listen to this. But you’re missing out, because Youthanasia is quite good. Go out and buy it. It will most likely be cheap, and it is certainly not a waste of money.
Downloads:
Reckoning Day
Addicted To Chaos
A Tout Le Monde
Victory
4/5
