Top 10 Best Megadeth Albums

Formed in '83 by the one and only Dave Mustaine, following his infamous exit from Metallica, Megadeth didn't just take the thrash metal world by storm—they became a force of nature. With a battle-hardened history spanning over four decades, and a trophy case filled with 12 Grammy nominations and a win for Best Metal Performance, Megadeth isn't just a band, they're thrash metal royalty. They stand tall in the "Big Four," right there with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.

Need proof? Dive into Megadeth's monumental discography. Every album is a blistering display of what makes this band a titan - face-melting guitar riffs, politically scathing lyrics, and Mustaine's signature snarl that could wake the dead. No wonder they've built an army of die-hard fans and have kept their steel-clad boot on the neck of the music scene for so long.
The Top Ten
1 Rust in Peace

The only album good enough for me to buy the vinyl, the CD, the T-shirt, and the guitar. This album is pure thrash perfection, a lot better than the Black Album that surpassed it. This album has a voice; Holy Wars... The Punishment Due is about religion and the violence it causes, Hangar 18 about government conspiracies, Take No Prisoners about political corruption, Five Magics is about interpretation itself, Poison Was the Cure is about drug abuse, Lucretia is about personal demons, Tornado of Souls is about lost love, Dawn Patrol is about the future we create and Rust in Peace... Polaris is about the end of it all. This album escalates like no other album, almost as if going in chronological order (with a few exceptions) from ancient times to the end of the world. Anyway, I could go on about how much I love this album, and I'm going to say this: This is their Magnum Opus.

2 Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

Perfect album. I'd say this to be their best, followed by Rust in Peace. The album starts off with Wake Up Dead, a song 3:37 seconds long, and has great progression. The second track is called The Conjuring, a very evil and wicked but yet amazing song, and the hardest on this album.

The third song is everybody's favorite, featuring one of the most memorable metal intros, and is simply an awesome song - PEACE SELLS! The fourth song is Devils Island, a very catchy and, once again, awesome song that you can't avoid headbanging to. Which song could easily compete with the awesomeness of Devils Island? Good Mourning/Black Friday just did, AKA the fifth song on this album.

Then comes Bad Omen, the sixth track, probably, I hate to say, my least favorite song on this album. However, it is still awesome! Number seven is a great remake of a classic Blues song - I Ain't Superstitious. The last track, AKA number eight, is My Last Words, just simply an awesome song with an amazing guitar and bass riff.

3 Countdown to Extinction

Dave Mustaine has a gift. No other metal artist has produced so many great songs with such reliability. This album is evidence - track after track of amazement. When Metallica relaxed its sound with the "Black Album", Megadeth answered with this tight, powerful, supremely tailored masterwork. Unlike the frenetic compositions of the masterpiece "Rust in Peace", this album is controlled and focused like the strikes of a prize fighter, and with familiar, comfortable arrangements for the musically timid.

It's a shame because people who think the "Black Album" was so great probably can't even name three tracks off the cuff. Fans of Countdown can name almost every track, because Mustaine made every one unique while maintaining stylistic similarity. Meanwhile, Marty punctuated each composition with face-melting leads. Nick Menza slammed his kit so hard that Lars felt it miles away, and David Ellefson does what he does best: smoke the fretboard like the virtuoso he is.

Flawless victory.

4 So Far, So Good...So What!

Why is this album so underrated? There are so many amazing songs on this album. It may not be the best, but it is way better than Endgame and Youthanasia. "Into the Lungs of Hell" is one of the best instrumentals ever. It feels like you are going into hell. "Mary Jane" is just epic. "502" is really fast and awesome. "My Darkest Hour" is touching, and I like how it is dedicated to Cliff Burton (R.I.P.). The other tracks aren't quite as good, but there are no songs on this album that I would not call good.

This album is so underrated. The opener, 'Into the Lungs of Hell,' is a prime example of this album's strengths. Namely, supreme technicality, blistering speed, and attitude. The debut had the speed, Peace Sells and Rust in Peace had the technicality, but none of those albums had attitude.

'Set The World Afire' and 'Anarchy in the UK' are prime examples of this album's political edge, which was to become a Megadeth staple in later years. The eerie 'Mary Jane' and the suicidal 'In My Darkest Hour' prove that this album is diverse - Mary Jane is the eeriest thing Dave ever wrote, and In My Darkest Hour is truly depressing. '502' is the weakest track here, yet it is an example of straight thrash, harkening back to 'Killing is My Business...'. Also, kudos for that cool stereo effect.

'Liar' and 'Hook In Mouth' demonstrate the extreme venom of this album, unmatched by any thrash outfit of the time. Liar is the furious rant directed at Chris Poland, and Hook In Mouth is the blunderbuss that smashes the PMRC. So, an excellent tracklist, each showing this album's strengths.

Finally, that rough-as-hell production means this album sounds dirtier, darker, and much heavier than just about any 80s thrash album, and certainly more than Peace Sells, let alone Rust In Peace. This is their best album, and that is that.

5 Endgame

Come on! This has to be in the top 3 at least! There's not a single 'okay' song. With absolute masterpieces like Head Crusher, 44 Minutes, How The Story Ends, Bodies, Bite The Hand, The Hardest Part..., The Right To Go Insane, Endgame... (literally the entire album), you really can't ignore the fact that this is easily one of the best metal albums of the decade. Give the ENTIRE album a listen before voting. You will see it automatically rising to the top (at least top 3). If this album was released in 1986, it would be as well-respected as PSBWB currently is, and you will know that this is not a joke after you give it a shot.

6 Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!

This is one of, if not the very best debut of all time! This album is so raw and thrashy that it is unbelievable. Imagine listening to this when it first came out. This was the fastest music around.

Last Rites/Loved to Deth has such an awesome scream at the beginning, and the riffs are amazing. "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" has one of the coolest choruses ever. "The Skull Beneath the Skin" is a really cool, slower song. "These Boots" is a really funny and upbeat cover of the Nancy Sinatra song, but probably the worst on the album.

"Rattlehead" is just so awesome and iconic. "RATTLE YOUR HEAD!" "Chosen Ones" is probably my least favorite of the original songs, but it is still great. "Looking Down the Cross" has a chilling intro, and it's a great song.

"The Mechanix" was an awesome song that Dave wrote before he was even in Metallica, and this version, "Mechanix," with the sped-up tempo, is one of Megadeth's best songs of all time. Amazing album all around.

7 Youthanasia

So many great songs, amazingly melodic and powerful, and not a dull moment. This is definitely their best album, followed closely by Countdown to Extinction. I love Rust in Peace and Peace Sells..., my next favorites, respectively, but this album is Megadeth at their finest.

I love the songs on this album. They sound awesome. The only album that is better is Rust in Peace. If you like this album, you should check out The System has Failed. My favorite track on this album is all of them.

There are some great songs on this album. It's sort of underrated. A Tout Le Monde expresses feelings and is a heavy metal song that's combined. Addicted to Chaos is excellent, and The Killing Road, Youthanasia, and Reckoning Day. All those songs are what make this album epic!

8 Dystopia

Definitely dark like Endgame, but heavy and punchy like no other release. Chris A. is a machine on his kit, and Kiko is without a doubt the Brazilian Marty.

I was apprehensive about this release, but I was blown away from the first track. Amazing work! Mustaine is an unbelievable talent, and Megadeth is a force of nature. You might not like Mustaine's politics, but he laid it down and showed up the rest of the trashers. Watch them step up their game with their next releases.

This is the BEST album since Youthanasia!

Old Megadeth is back!

Great riffs, awesome solos, Kiko kicks ass, and Adler is a beast at the drums. The Daves are great as usual. No fillers in this album. Although the last song ('Foreign Policy' from punk band Fear) feels out of place, and it is an odd way to close this album.

If you are a die-hard fan of Megadeth, you WILL love this album. Thrash enthusiasts will be pleased as well.

They did it again!

HAIL MEGADETH!

9 The System Has Failed

Just as perfect as Countdown or Rust in Peace. If you want to see Mustaine's full potential as a songwriter and a guitarist, then you should give this album a listen. It certainly shows off Dave's classically influenced guitar playing and his diversity as a musician. Highlights include: Back in the Day, Die Dead Enough, Kick the Chair, Of Mice and Men, The Scorpion, and Blackmail the Universe.

Rust in Peace is Megadeth's best album, but this one is far better than Endgame. It is the best album of the new century, and much better than a few from the last century. Now, Dystopia sounds awesome as of Fatal Illusion, so let's wait and see. For now, The System Has Failed earns the title of best album of the 21st century.

10 Cryptic Writings

How come United Abominations and Thirteen are before this amazing masterpiece? Obviously, it is different, but all the songs are great. I think Dave really put all his creativity into the music of this album. It's really easy to listen to. Let's be honest, after a while of listening to loud noises like thrash metal, your ears get tired. Don't get me wrong, I love thrash metal, but it's not the type of music you want to listen to all day. I listen to all kinds of music depending on the mood, but this album is more melodic and still heavy. My favorite is Vortex.

The Contenders
11 United Abominations

This is my second favorite album, and it really shows what is happening with our twisted government. Sleepwalker and Washington is Next are awesome.

It features Cristina Scabbia, who has one of the most beautiful voices in the history of music.

Enough said.

Killer, and Christina Scabbia is hauntingly beautiful!

12 Th1rt3en

My favorite so far by Megadeth. This album shows a great comeback from a great band. It showed Megadeth is still going strong and can still kick ass. I think it's highly underrated for its worth.

Seriously, what is wrong with the internet generation!? This is almost certainly one of the best records the band has ever released. 13 is as epic as A Tout Le Monde, and Public Enemy Number 1 is stunning. This needs to move up the list... A lot!

What the hell? This album deserves to be in the top ten list. Just listen to Thirteen and Public Enemy No. 1, and you'll get what I'm saying.

13 Hidden Treasures

Should be above Abominations, Collider, 13, System, in fact, any album after Cryptic Writings. An awesome album-compilation.

Definitely worth being in the top 5, even if it's not a real album, more of a compilation of movie soundtracks, B-sides, and covers. It will blow your mind!

Why is this one so low? Should be about 6-7 positions higher. Contains so many classics!

14 The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!

Best new age Megadeth album, in my opinion.

15 Risk

I was skeptical at first, back in the day when I bought this album, simply because of the name "Risk". I was instantly intrigued by the sound. This is a top 5 album for Megadeth in my own personal opinion. It's not what fans were expecting, and obviously, the band knew this was going to be the case, so they threw in a "No Risk Disc" with 6 previous hits on it just to appease those who would be dissatisfied with the new material.

Just listen to Dave's voice! He sounds like someone who is finally at peace with himself and content with who he has become. This, for me, is an excellent album from start to finish, and I've only grown to love it more and more as time goes on! My recommendation is that you give it another listen and see if you aren't pleasantly surprised!

16 The World Needs a Hero

The first album after Marty's departure really brings out Mustaine's guitar work. The album as a whole is very diverse. Disconnect is one of the best Megadeth songs, along with Return To Hangar and Promises.

This album needs way more credit for its amazing tracks. There are a few tracks that aren't that good, but besides that, it is awesome. The actual song The World Needs a Hero is right on!

An extremely underrated album, with a few unappreciated gems like Disconnect, 1000 Times Goodbye, Return to Hangar, Promises, and Dread and the Fugitive Mind.

17 Super Collider

This album gets way more hate than it deserves. There's not a bad song on this album, and it's fairly diverse. It had the right amount of experimentation, while Risk had a little too much. I've even seen complaints about the banjo in The Blackest Crow. Really? What's wrong with a banjo intro? Nothing, in my opinion.

This just released, and criticism from fans and reviews are very negative. Maybe not their best, but this album is not bad at all. There are some parts in this album that can be considered good, and you haven't heard it yet.

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