Heavy Metal Greats:

Megadeth

It’s Malcolm, once again, with a new installment of Heavy Metal Greats. This week, I’m discussing Megadeth, a very famous heavy metal band, and one of the participants of the Big 4. The band's wild success and popularity has landed them among metal stardom, and has earned them both a fan base and a legacy that is sure to continue. For their signature sound, notorious front man and fascinating album artwork, Megadeth has earned their reputation as one of the best.

Anyone who knows Megadeth has heard their signature riffs and chord progressions. The albums released by the band are also backed by the themes of nuclear fallout, warfare, and death. Though these themes may seem harsh or too extreme for the more peaceful types of people, the music is not abrasive, so much as intense and exciting. The prime example of this sound can be found in the band’s most famous album, Rust in Peace. The album is laced with heavy riffs, solos and artistic anger, and became a huge hit with the heavy metal crowd in its release year, 1990.

The front man has always been (and will likely continue to be) Dave Mustaine, lead guitarist and vocalist. There is much controversy surrounding the front man, most notably his mild, yet continuous antagonism towards another famous heavy metal band, Metallica. Dave Mustaine was, in fact, lead guitarist for Metallica before Kirk Hammett. Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica for his excessive violence, created by his and the rest of the band’s drinking. Following this expulsion, Mustaine and Metallica have had tense relations, yet keep their composure in front of the fans. Aside from this expulsion and antagonism, Mustaine has been notorious in front of the press for his controversial lyrics and religious turnaround. These factors have dubbed him as a highly infamous front man, as opposed to his seemingly normal band mates.

Megadeth has always had a signature character to represent them as a band. This character is Vic Rattlehead, a bald man with bony fingers. He can be found with iron staples, a metal visor, and ear blots, ans is so named for his representation of a victim (hence "Vic"). Vic appeared on each of the band's first 4 albums, respectively: Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, Peace Sells...but Who's Buying?, So Far, So Good, So What?,and Rust In Peace. Megadeth's albums often contain artwork that satirizes political issues, both past, present and what could be, such as Area 51 found in Rust In Peace, or a view of the destroyed United Nations building, found in Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

Megadeth’s signature sound, notorious front man and unique album artwork make them valuable inspirations to current metal core and post core bands, the new waves of heavy metal. Long have they played among the other greats, and will continue to serve as gifts to the headbangers and thrashers of the world.

Coming up Next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth

http://hioth-rock.blogspot.com/2012/01/slayer.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RnWeznlU58

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Rattlehead

http://metalodyssey.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/megadeth-rust-in-peace-large-album-pic.jpg

http://www.wallpaperup.com/25114/megadeth_bands_groups_heavy_metal_thrash_hard_rock_album_covers.html

Heavy Metal Greats:

Anthrax

Welcome back to Heavy Metal Greats. My name is Malcolm, and I’d like to welcome you to the second installment of this series. This week’s Great is Anthrax, another groundbreaking band in the heavy metal scene. This band’s first album, Fistful of Metal, debuted in 1984, paving their way to success. Like Metallica, Anthrax’s albums have, more often than not, become great hits, selling over 15 million records worldwide in under a decade. Their plethora of albums, huge fan base and hit songs rocketed them into heavy metal glory.

Anthrax, as of 9/12/14, has released 10 studio albums: Fistful of Metal, Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, and 7 others. Their most recent album, Worship Music, was released in 2011, and ranked #12 on the U.S. Billboard 200. This is just one example of the multiple successful albums the band has released. The most successful album released to date is Among the Living. Their least successful album was We’ve Come for you All, released in 2003, which still ranked 122nd on the top 200 list.

As for their fan base, Anthrax has over 2,500,000 likes on Facebook, and counting. This is not surprising, considering that the band formed in 1981 and has been touring and releasing records ever since. As with many other bands, Anthrax has their own website, where fans are notified of upcoming tour dates and album release dates; the website is simply called anthrax.com.

Anthrax is a band that continues to retain its unique sound, unlike so many bands that fall short of this quality and frequently change their styles around, confusing their fan bases. Because of their signature sound, Anthrax has managed to create multiple international hits. Their top 3, from 3rd to 1st, are as follows (according to loudwire.com): Caught in a Mosh, Armed and Dangerous, and I am the Law. These hits debuted from 1985-1987, the pinnacle of the band’s popularity. That is not to say that the band’s fame is at an end. On the contrary, the band’s most famous concert to date was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, where Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica (in casting order) performed before a crowd of tens of thousands of loyal fans.

For all their past, present, and expected future success, Anthrax is widely considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands to have ever existed. The Big 4 event was so monumental in heavy metal history that it is likely a similar event will take place in the future, with Anthrax performing, once again, as the opener. In the next installment, I will discuss Megadeth, another one of the Big 4, and in my opinion, another one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.

Coming up next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)

http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=507866901&found=1&search=anthrax+among

http://facebook.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_discography

http://loudwire.com/best-anthrax-songs/

http://www.bhsrampage.com/2013/11/20/megadeth-continues-their-legacy/

http://www.examiner.com/article/anthrax-guitarist-says-band-not-working-on-covers-album

Heavy Metal Greats:

Metallica

Hello, my name is Malcolm, and I’d like to discuss Metallica, the groundbreaking heavy metal band that inspired 3 generations of bands everywhere. The band formed in 1981, and has been a huge hit since. Because of their quality music, rock ‘n’ roll attitude,  and fantastic live performances, Metallica is considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands in existence.

Not all people favor this kind of music, but those who do are very adamant about it. The number of likes on their Facebook page and the number of albums sold by the band demonstrates the quality of their music. Their “Black Album” alone sold over 16 million copies. Their wild success clearly reflects their quality as a band.

Famous for their drinking on tour, Metallica’s members were inebriated during most of their live shows. They would often throw Solo cups (among other items) into the audience, just for fun. People became hooked upon this lifestyle and the accompanying attitude, so much so that at one point, Metallica began selling out every concert seat everywhere they went. Their dedication to rock ‘n’ roll is so fierce that they continue to go on tour, even when most of them have reached age 50.

Every show performed by Metallica sells out with record speed. They fill every seat in the house, and have unique tour shirts named for their albums, such as “Tour Magnetic,” named after their most recent album, Death Magnetic. I attended one of their concerts myself, during that very tour, and it was fantastic. The crowd was wild, the music loud, and the props very unique (designed to represent their albums’ cover art). After the concert, I snagged a T-shirt, and wore it frequently after that.

Although I have outlined a broad spectrum of the band’s best qualities, there is much more to be said than just how successful the band was and is. In my next installment, I’ll discuss the history behind another very famous band, Anthrax. This band is one of a select few to gain such popularity, which is why I look forward to discussing it.

Coming up next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

http://www.wallpicsize.com/hd-wallpapers/metallica-black-album-wallpaper-2820.html

http://collider.com/metallica-3d-nimrod-antal/

http://www.merch2rock.com/anthrax/