"Wake Up Dead" is a song by 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 is the only single released from their second album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?

Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

-25th Anniversary 2-CD reissue:-25th Anniversary box set:Disc 5 contains both the original album, and the above listed 1987 show in hi-resolution audio....

, and additionally the first single ever launched by the band. Along with the title track, "Peace Sells

Peace Sells

"Peace Sells" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth from the 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, written by Dave Mustaine. It, along with Wake Up Dead from the same album, has been a staple at Megadeth concerts. Lyrically, it deals with negative stereotypes about...

", this song is a live staple at almost every Megadeth show. It starts with a fearsome drum intro, guitar chords and descending bass intro and then more sustained chords, followed by Dave 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...

's singing. The song is not instrumental, it has lyrics and an extended bridge before the outro lyrics and is about Mustaine fearing revenge from his girlfriend after he cheats on her. It describes him sneaking into his bedroom trying not to wake her up, because she will kill him.

This was also the song that Megadeth played when guitarist 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...

 was auditioning for the band.

The music video for this song features the band playing at a rock concert enclosed in a cage. As the video progresses, the fans go crazy and begin to jump around and climb the metal cage.

American melodic death metal band World Under Blood

World Under Blood

World Under Blood is a melodic death metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in late 2006 by CKY frontman Deron Miller and Divine Heresy drummer Tim Yeung.-Early Years:...

 recorded a cover version for their debut album Tactical

Tactical

-Personnel:Musicians*Deron Miller – vocals, guitar*Tim Yeung – drums*Luke Jaeger – lead guitar*Risha Eryavac - bass*James Murphy – guitar solos & bass on "Wake Up Dead"-Release details:...

. Vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller

Deron Miller

Deron John Miller is the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for World Under Blood and CKY , which has been through various incarnations since being founded in 1998. CKY's most recent release was 2009's Carver City....

said "Our cover of 'Wake Up Dead', one of my favorite songs ever, is gonna scare the shit out of Dave Mustaine."

Track listing

7" Wake Up Dead

1. "Wake Up Dead"
2. "Good Mourning/Black Friday" (live)

12" Wake Up Dead [with Deth Certificate]

1. "Wake Up Dead"
2. "Good Mourning/Black Friday" (live)
3. "Devil's Island" (live)

(Live tracks were recorded for the Tommy Vance Show on Radio One in London, in 1986)