Countdown to Extinction
Encyclopedia
Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal
band Megadeth
. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records
. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status. The album also produced the band's most successful hit singles, "Symphony of Destruction
", "Sweating Bullets
", "Skin O' My Teeth
" and "Foreclosure of a Dream
", videos were made for all singles and also for "High Speed Dirt".
Countdown to Extinction was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 1993 Grammy Awards and the title track of the album won the Humane Society
's Genesis Award, making Megadeth the only heavy metal band to be given this honor.
/Dave Ellefson/Nick Menza
/Marty Friedman
line-up. It was produced by Mustaine and Max Norman
at The Enterprise in Burbank, California
. It was pre-produced by Ryan Greene.
The band's change in musical style meant that many songs on the album follow a more traditional hard rock structure, with verses and choruses (unlike many of the band's previous albums). The album is the band's most commercially successful album to date.
magazine's top ten list of guitar albums of 1992.
comic book character Deathlok
. Other political songs include "Captive Honour", a song about prison and the consequences of crime, "Countdown to Extinction", a song about canned hunt
s (which many believed was a jab at Metallica frontman James Hetfield
and his love for hunting), and "Foreclosure of a Dream", a song that looks at rise and fall of political and economic ideologies, which also includes the infamous 1988 "Read my lips
" quote by George H. W. Bush
(and on a more personal level, about Ellefson's parents who allegedly lost their jobs under the Reagan Administration
). The title song "Countdown To Extinction" also won Megadeth the Humane Society of the United States
"Genesis Award" for its dealings with issues of animal welfare
.
The rest of the songs' undertones are more spread around. "Skin o' My Teeth
" is about Mustaine's numerous attempts at suicide but "just couldn't get the fucking job done" as Mustaine said during a 1992 concert. "Sweating Bullets" has been referred to be about schizophrenia
. Before the song is performed, Mustaine tells the audience it's about schizophrenia and has described it as a song "about me... and me." "This Was My Life" refers to a failing relationship where that despite wanting to kill your spouse, you'll be sent to the electric chair
regardless for your actions. The slow melodic section at the end of "This Was My Life" is the same chord progression as Mustaine's contribution to the breakdown section in the middle of his former band Metallica's "Phantom Lord" from Kill 'Em All
. "High Speed Dirt" is about skydiving.
Video games
released a remastered version for ordinary compact disc playback systems, with four bonus tracks.
According to the 2004 remastered version liner notes, Mustaine
was upset with the album only reaching number two on the charts (behind Billy Ray Cyrus
), and thus set out to make a number one album.
In June, 2006, two audiophile remasters of the album were released, an Ultradisc II Gold CD version by the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
, and a 180 gram vinyl 2LP version, both mixed by Dave Mustaine.
("On tue un homme, on est un assassin. On en tue des millions, on est un conquérant. On les tue tous, on est Dieu").
Singles
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status. The album also produced the band's most successful hit singles, "Symphony of Destruction
Symphony of Destruction
"Symphony of Destruction" is a 1992 single by American heavy metal band Megadeth, taken from their 1992 double platinum selling album, Countdown to Extinction. The lyrics explores the hypothetical situation where an average citizen might be placed into a position where he can run the country while...
", "Sweating Bullets
Sweating Bullets (song)
"Sweating Bullets" is a song by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released in 1993 as the third single from their fifth album, Countdown to Extinction. The song charted at #29 on the US Mainstream Rock chart and at #26 in the UK....
", "Skin O' My Teeth
Skin o' My Teeth
"Skin o' My Teeth" is the third single from Megadeth's multi-platinum album Countdown to Extinction. The song, written by Dave Mustaine, deals with the theme of a failed suicide attempt. It's one of the fastest songs of the album, with a pace of 196 bpm...
" and "Foreclosure of a Dream
Foreclosure of a Dream
"Foreclosure of a Dream" is a song by the heavy metal band Megadeth, from their album Countdown to Extinction. It was released as a single and charted at #30 on the "Mainstream Rock Tracks" Billboard chart....
", videos were made for all singles and also for "High Speed Dirt".
Countdown to Extinction was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 1993 Grammy Awards and the title track of the album won the Humane Society
Humane Society
A humane society may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals...
's Genesis Award, making Megadeth the only heavy metal band to be given this honor.
Production and marketing
Countdown to Extinction was the second album featuring the Dave MustaineDave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
/Dave Ellefson/Nick Menza
Nick Menza
Nick Menza is an American drummer best known for his work in Megadeth from 1989 to 1998, appearing on four of the band's studio albums.-Early life:...
/Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
line-up. It was produced by Mustaine and Max Norman
Max Norman
Max Norman is a retired record producer and recording engineer in the 1980s and 1990s. He produced many acclaimed heavy metal releases, and was renowned for his top notch production. Max got his "big break" while he was the resident engineer at Ridge Farm Studios in London, England...
at The Enterprise in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
. It was pre-produced by Ryan Greene.
The band's change in musical style meant that many songs on the album follow a more traditional hard rock structure, with verses and choruses (unlike many of the band's previous albums). The album is the band's most commercially successful album to date.
Reception
In October 2011, the album was ranked number six on Guitar WorldGuitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
magazine's top ten list of guitar albums of 1992.
Lyrical themes
Like its predecessor, many of the songs on the album have political and military undertones. For example, "Symphony of Destruction" is a song about military dictators, "Architecture of Aggression" focuses on the military-industrial complex, and "Ashes in Your Mouth" concentrates on the negative aftermaths of war ("sweet taste of vindication, it turns to ashes in your mouth"). In a similar vein, "Psychotron" details a merciless cyborg killing machine of the same name, and is based on the MarvelMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
comic book character Deathlok
Deathlok
Deathlok is a fictional cyborg published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Astonishing Tales #25 , and was created by Rich Buckler and Doug Moench...
. Other political songs include "Captive Honour", a song about prison and the consequences of crime, "Countdown to Extinction", a song about canned hunt
Canned hunt
A canned hunt is essentially a trophy hunt in which the animal is kept in a more confined area, such as in a fenced-in area, increasing the likelihood of the hunter obtaining a kill...
s (which many believed was a jab at Metallica frontman James Hetfield
James Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
and his love for hunting), and "Foreclosure of a Dream", a song that looks at rise and fall of political and economic ideologies, which also includes the infamous 1988 "Read my lips
Read my lips: no new taxes
"Read my lips: no new taxes" is a now-famous phrase spoken by then presidential candidate George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Republican National Convention as he accepted the nomination on August 18. Written by speechwriter Peggy Noonan, the line was the most prominent sound bite from the speech...
" quote by George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
(and on a more personal level, about Ellefson's parents who allegedly lost their jobs under the Reagan Administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
). The title song "Countdown To Extinction" also won Megadeth the Humane Society of the United States
Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States , based in Washington, D.C., is the largest animal advocacy organization in the world. In 2009, HSUS reported assets of over US$160 million....
"Genesis Award" for its dealings with issues of animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
.
The rest of the songs' undertones are more spread around. "Skin o' My Teeth
Skin o' My Teeth
"Skin o' My Teeth" is the third single from Megadeth's multi-platinum album Countdown to Extinction. The song, written by Dave Mustaine, deals with the theme of a failed suicide attempt. It's one of the fastest songs of the album, with a pace of 196 bpm...
" is about Mustaine's numerous attempts at suicide but "just couldn't get the fucking job done" as Mustaine said during a 1992 concert. "Sweating Bullets" has been referred to be about schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
. Before the song is performed, Mustaine tells the audience it's about schizophrenia and has described it as a song "about me... and me." "This Was My Life" refers to a failing relationship where that despite wanting to kill your spouse, you'll be sent to the electric chair
Electric chair
Execution by electrocution, usually performed using an electric chair, is an execution method originating in the United States in which the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes placed on the body...
regardless for your actions. The slow melodic section at the end of "This Was My Life" is the same chord progression as Mustaine's contribution to the breakdown section in the middle of his former band Metallica's "Phantom Lord" from Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on July 25, 1983. Since its release, it has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA, having sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone.-Music:...
. "High Speed Dirt" is about skydiving.
Cover versions and usage
Cover versions- "Symphony of Destruction" by Arch EnemyArch Enemy (band)Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist to name a few. It was founded by Carcass guitarist Michael Amott along with Johan...
, on the EP Dead Eyes See No FutureDead Eyes See No FutureDead Eyes See No Future is an EP by melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. It was released on November 2, 2004 through Century Media Records.The title track is taken from Arch Enemy's Anthems of Rebellion album....
. - "Symphony of Destruction" by Michael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
, on the album Hands Without Shadows 2 – VoicesHands Without Shadows 2 – Voices-Personnel:*Michael Angelo Batio – guitars*Warren Dunlevy, Jr. – vocals*Joe Babiak – drums-External links:*...
. - "Symphony of Destruction" by NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
, on the single The SirenThe Siren (song)The Siren was the fourth and last single of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish's fifth studio album Once. The song was recorded with the London Session Orchestra and includes many exotic instruments, for example an electric violin and a sitar....
. - "Symphony of Destruction" by Paul Di'AnnoPaul Di'AnnoPaul Andrews , better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981....
(formerly of Iron Maiden), on the album The Living Dead. - "Skin o' My Teeth" by KalmahKalmahKalmah is a melodic death metal band from Oulu, Finland that formed in 1998. In less than a year after its formation, Kalmah was signed by Spinefarm Records. The word "kalmah" is Karelian and could be translated as "to the grave" or "to the death."-History:...
, on the album They Will ReturnThey Will Return-Personnel:* Pekka Kokko − Rhythm guitar and vocals* Antti Kokko − lead guitar* Timo Lehtinen − bass* Pasi Hiltula − keyboard* Janne Kusmin − drums...
. - "Sweating Bullets" by Eyes of the DeadEyes of the DeadEyes of the Dead is a thrash/death metal band from New Haven, Connecticut. They are signed to indie label Black Picket Fence Records. They were formed in 2004, and have since recorded and released two full length albums, two EP's, and one single...
on their EP "Lets Play Drink the Beer!!"
Video games
- Guitar Hero (a cover version of "Symphony of Destruction")
- WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 , is a professional wrestling video game released on the PlayStation 2 console and the PlayStation Portable handheld console by THQ and developed by Yuke's. It is part of the WWE SmackDown vs...
("Symphony of Destruction (Steve Tusher Remix)") - FlatOut 2FlatOut 2FlatOut 2 is a racing video game developed by Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive and Vivendi Universal Games. It is the sequel to the 2004-2005 releaseFlatOut....
("Symphony of Destruction") - Guitar Hero 5Guitar Hero 5Guitar Hero 5 is a music video game and the fifth main entry in the Guitar Hero series. The game was developed by Neversoft and published by RedOctane and Activision, and released internationally in September 2009 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, 3 and Wii consoles...
("Sweating Bullets", plus a master recording of "Symphony of Destruction" was released as part of the Megadeth track pack on both this game and Guitar Hero: Warriors of RockGuitar Hero: Warriors of RockGuitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is a music video game and the sixth main entry in the Guitar Hero series for the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 consoles. The game was released September 24, 2010 in Europe, September 28, 2010 in North America and September 29, 2010 in Australia...
) - Brütal LegendBrütal LegendBrütal Legend is an action-adventure/real-time strategy game created by Double Fine Productions and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released during October 2009 in North America and Europe...
("High Speed Dirt") - Full Auto 2: BattlelinesFull Auto 2: BattlelinesFull Auto 2: Battlelines is the second Full Auto game and is available on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. It is developed by Pseudo Interactive on PS3 and by Deep Fried Entertainment on PSP and published by Sega.- Gameplay :...
("Symphony of Destruction")
Reissues
In August, 2004, Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
released a remastered version for ordinary compact disc playback systems, with four bonus tracks.
According to the 2004 remastered version liner notes, Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
was upset with the album only reaching number two on the charts (behind Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
), and thus set out to make a number one album.
In June, 2006, two audiophile remasters of the album were released, an Ultradisc II Gold CD version by the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is a company known as an innovator in the production of audiophile-quality sound recordings. All releases are advertised as being produced from the first-generation analog master recordings, and using proprietary technology, which MFSL claims allows for improved sound...
, and a 180 gram vinyl 2LP version, both mixed by Dave Mustaine.
Track listing
Personnel
Megadeth
|
Production
|
2004 Remix Remix A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song .... and Remaster Remaster Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
|
In popular culture
Parts of the opening lyrics of Captive Honour ("Kill a man and you're a murderer, kill many and you're a conqueror, kill them all, you're a god") are in fact a quote from the French biologist and philosopher Jean RostandJean Rostand
Jean Rostand was a French biologist and philosopher.Active as an experimental biologist, Rostand became famous for his work as a science writer, as well as a philosopher and an activist...
("On tue un homme, on est un assassin. On en tue des millions, on est un conquérant. On les tue tous, on est Dieu").
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
2 |
| UK Album Charts | 5 | |
| Australian Album Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
14 | |
| Austrian Album Charts | 12 | |
| Canadian Album Charts | 25 | |
| German Album Charts Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
18 | |
| Japanese Album Charts | 6 | |
| Swedish Album Charts | 10 | |
| Swiss Record Charts | 16 | |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "Foreclosure of a Dream Foreclosure of a Dream "Foreclosure of a Dream" is a song by the heavy metal band Megadeth, from their album Countdown to Extinction. It was released as a single and charted at #30 on the "Mainstream Rock Tracks" Billboard chart.... " |
US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 30 |
| "Symphony of Destruction Symphony of Destruction "Symphony of Destruction" is a 1992 single by American heavy metal band Megadeth, taken from their 1992 double platinum selling album, Countdown to Extinction. The lyrics explores the hypothetical situation where an average citizen might be placed into a position where he can run the country while... " |
US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
71 | |
| US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 29 | ||
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
15 | ||
| 1993 | "Skin O' My Teeth Skin o' My Teeth "Skin o' My Teeth" is the third single from Megadeth's multi-platinum album Countdown to Extinction. The song, written by Dave Mustaine, deals with the theme of a failed suicide attempt. It's one of the fastest songs of the album, with a pace of 196 bpm... " |
UK Singles Chart | 13 |
| "Sweating Bullets Sweating Bullets Sweating Bullets may refer to:*"Sweating Bullets" , by Megadeth from their 1992 album Countdown to Extinction*"Sweatin Bullets", a song by Brand Nubian from their 1994 album Everything is Everything... " |
US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 27 | |
| UK Singles Chart | 26 | ||
RIAA Certifications
| Date | Certification |
|---|---|
| September 9, 1992 | Platinum |
| December 13, 1994 | 2x Platinum |