Countdown To Extinction

This has to be without doubt the best Megadeth album they have ever released.

OK, so it may not be a thrash album, which is really what Megadeth were about. So they've moved on. But the move is for the better, and I'm sure that you'll agree with me when you hear this album.

Its starts off with the upbeat "Skin O' My Teeth", with a classic main riff, and some excellent soloing from Mustaine and Friedman. It then moves on to the most famous song on the album, "Symphony of Destruction". This is a fairly slow and heavy song, and is considered one of the best heavy metal songs of all time. You have to listen to it to believe it.

The also famous "Sweating Bullets" is 5th on the album. I'll have to be honest, when I first heard this song, I didn't like it that much. However, it soon grew on me, and now I consider it to be one of the best on the album.

Next song worth mentioning is the title track, "Countdown to Extinction". Although this song doesn't really contain any memorable lyrics, amazing riffs, or long and complicated solo's, it still delivers the sort of style Megadeth have now adopted.

The last track on the album worth mentioning has to be my favourite of all Megadeth songs, "Ashes in your Mouth". The timing in the song is somewhat different for Megadeth, but it's the sort of thing that Marty Friedman is famous for doing, you only have to listen to his solo albums to hear that. The solo's in this song have to be some of the best I have ever heard, and I'm a big Metallica, Guns N Roses etc... fan, so that really means something.

Overall, this album is an essential album for any metal fan. Buy it!

From the start this album pulls no punches. Dave Mustaine's voice is truly tortured as he tries to deliver some tortuous lyrics. Rust In Peace may have been Megadeth's peak as far as speed thrash is concerned (mighty solos & highly recommended), but Countdown To Extinction is a far more mature offering. The songs are better crafted and the production is excellent. Definitely worth splashing out for.

Ok picture the scene Metallica produce and realise Black (Metallica) in 1991 all eyes go on Megadeth. Can they match this??? Can they oh yes they can!!!! Im listening to the album as i write this review Symphony of destruction you know how it goes lovely harmony cut short by Dave Mustaines ripping guitar action and David Ellefson's heaviest bass line But it doesnt end here from song one to eleven this album just gets better and better."Sweating Bullits" probably Megadeths moct commercial success in my own opinion is not the stand out best song on this album dont get me wrong i still love it who could forget that kick drum and that riff which Mustaines beautiful unforgetable and haunting voice. But in my and only my opinion song seven "Countdown to Extinction" is the stand out track on this album listen to it once and youll be hooked. This album quite seriously is one of the greatest Heavy/Rock Albums of all time when you think of the greats "Seasons in abyss, Master of Puppets, Among the living Coyboys from hell" This still delivers the goods every time and doesnt get old. Dont take my word for it jus go out and buy this you wont be ripped off i gurantee forget your sh**y pop rock nu metal this is the heavy stuff.Mustaine as usual gives his all a proper rock god ! the man is a living legend! SIMPLY A MASTERPIECE thanks for reading!

Disappointing.
I didn't realise this wasn't the original album so was highly miffed to find it contained remixed versions of tracks from what is undoubtedly their best album.
In the sleeve notes Dave Mustaine is quoted as saying the only way to better their most successful album was to remix it. Well, fair enough, it's his album. And yes, it is very shiny and bright, softer, and warmer-sounding than the original, but the addition of lavish reverbs to tracks such as Symphony Of Destruction merely serve to remove the crushing, raw relentlessness of the original. More is less.
This is definitely a case, Dave, of 'It wasn't broke - didn't need fixing'!

Here I go again!!! ( In the immortal lines of 'Sweating Bullets'!).. I ranted about how bad the remastered version for So Far So Good So What..was, and the same has to be said for Countdown. Another classic butchered..why oh why was this done?? I bought the remastered having owned the original, thinking, 'this'll be interesting', maybe heavier, something extra? some added sleeve notes? Well, it had some of that, and to be completely frank, the bonus tracks are the best thing on the remastered version. The album itself has been butchered beyond belief, and I have to agree with one of the other comments, Dunc, in that all the aggression and heaviness has been removed, and replaced with tinny trebly innocence, and bright fluffy drums!! It all sounds too high end, polished to the point of smiling pearly whites rather than 'its gapped tooth grin!!!!!' like in the original.
You know what, and it's maybe a bit of an obvious one, but I think Daves ego really got carried away with him during the remasters of these albums..It was a time to go 'these are mine, and f@ck what anyone else thinks, I'm gonna have a play!!' like some spoilt kid having a tantrum. He never liked Nick Menza that much, and it really shows on this album as he completely destroyed any density his drum sound had from the original! I thought Nick was possibly one of the best techinically brilliant drummers the band ever had, truly unique sound, but Dave in his infinite wisdom for a cash-in throws in a nice tinny echoey slap to the drums..it sounds..well, rubbish in my opinion.
So, this, probably my second or third favourite Megadeth album, close shave with So Far So Good, or Peace Sells..is turned into the 'MegaDave'album.. A real shame as this was a defining classic that had them take the world by storm at their peak!!