Top 10 Best Megadeth Songs
Since their formation in 1983, Megadeth has become one of the most iconic and influential bands in the genre, with their unique blend of speed, aggression, and technical skill winning over legions of fans across the world.Over the years, the band has released countless classic albums and hit singles, earning critical acclaim and a place in the hearts of metalheads everywhere. From the raw power of "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" to the intricate melodies of "Dystopia," Megadeth has constantly pushed the boundaries of what's possible in metal, and their songs have inspired generations of musicians to follow in their footsteps.
So, what are the best Megadeth songs? That's a question that's been hotly debated among fans for decades, with everyone having their own favorite tracks and albums.
1. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
2. Symphony of Destruction
3. Hangar 18
4. Peace Sells
5. Rust In Peace... Polaris
6. Take No Prisoners
7. Washington Is Next
8. Good Mourning / Black Friday
9. Dawn Patrol
10. United Abomination
The reason for my top ten list is: holy wars is a really the best thrash metal song in the world, it has the coolest guitar riff and Nick Menza's most famous drum beat, no other thrash metal song can beat it, Metallica is overall better than Megadeth (what I think), but Metallica hasn't got a single song that can match Holy Wars, and this song is the one that made megadeth really famous! Symphony Of Destruction is also great, because Dave Mustaine's amazing vocal, and how the riff and drum beat fit the song. Hangar 18 has better riff and guitar solo than holy wars (maybe), the polly rhythm drum beat is also good.
Peace Sells: this song gave me Goosebumps, every time I listen to it, I felt like I just watched a horror movie. ...more
Everything about this song is perfect thrash metal. It starts off fast with an instantly recognizable opening riff, and it goes through a bunch of different riffs before getting to the slow paced breakdown. After that, it comes back with a new heavy and fast riff and a blistering guitar solo. The guitar work is unbelievable and the drumming and lyrics add to this incredible thrash metal staple.
Strong lyrics, amazing guitar work, an extreme solo and an intro that is too awesome not to enjoy! This is Megadeth at their finest and deserves to be as high as it is. The lyrics are heavy yet serious, which is matched perfectly with the guitar and bass work. The solo is suprising and is completely amazing. All in all, a testament to how good a composer Dave is and just what metal can be!
1. Holy wars the punishment due
2. Tornado of souls
3. Hangar 18
4. Good mourning black friday
5. United abominations
6. Never walk alone a call to arms
7. Public enemy number 1
8. Peace sells but who's buying
9. Devils island
10. Wake up dead
I love rust in peace. It's a great album. I would also rate Peace sells at Great too. But Nothing is as good as rust in peace the solos for the songs I have listed are just pure epicness. Enough said
Finally something that is in nearly in its proper place on this website. Hangar 18 - Megadeth's most uber song with a slightly slow tempo that builds up into a load of insanity, with solos all over the place. Mustaine's last solo in this song remains my most favourite Mustaine solo to this day.
Just brilliant... Hands down the Greatest Heavy Metal album of any/every genre ever made. Time has proven that Megadeth are better than Metallica... One quite literally faded to black, the other gave us Rust in Peace (thank you Dave, Marty and co! )
That song is almost, if not perfect. The way the main riff blends into the solos is amazing. Every single riff on the song is the kind of riff that would get the greatest riff ever award. Flawless metal song.
WOW! amazing song. Great bass, solos rain and the sweetest vocals by Mustaine. But still there are some mistakes in the list like what Good mourning black friday doing on no. 11 and where the hell is Blood of heroes.
This song is just perfect. The quintessential Megadeth song. Holy Wars, Hangar 18, Symphony Of Destruction and Peace Sells are all awesome songs, but none of those, and no other song beats this in my opinion.
My favorite song. It has everything a song should have: it's METAL at it's finest. The lyrics are so deep and well-written. It's emotional and aggressive at the same time. Has a dee meaning behind it. The solo is so awesome that it can't be described by mere words. Dave's vocals rule in this. Prominent bass and superb drumming.
Tornado Of Souls isn't just a song. It's THE song.
I agree that the solo is amazing; Not only does it sound awesome, but it was also put together incredibly well. Did anyone else notice that the solo lasts exactly 60 seconds and is subtly structured into 6 equal parts at 10 second each? Just a little trivia I realized while listening closely one day. Anyway, it flows very well, too. Best Megadeth song overall!
This song is so sad that my dad grabbed a butter knife a cut out his fingernails after listening to this song. this song made me cry, and the only other thing that has was when my grandma vomited blood all over the floor. Dave Mustane really shows that he is a sex god with this song. I have a strong memory of my mother playing this song during a car trip. it was so sad that my mum decided to ram head on to the bus in front. we went underneath the bus and the front right wheel carved my mothers ribcage to pieces and her brain and skull came shooting out, respectively. now that's dedication. I love this sad ballad.
This is the reason why Megadeth will always be superior to Metallica. Tornado of Souls is a STUPENDOUS song! I especially love the solo near the end of the song, though it is hard to play it.
This is the song that got me into liking Megadeth! I like Holy Wars and Hangar 18 too, and I also really like A Tout le Monde, but I think this has to be one of my favorites, and I kinda feel like this should be my vote since it is the song that got me into Megadeth in the first place.
"What Do You Mean I hate Megadeth,
I listen to it everyday. "
Classic thrash metal album
Classic song, one of the first thrash metal songs to get play on popular radio. Intelligent song, very political, and shows Megadeth's talent and intelligence that they write about stuff other than demons and devils.
This was my very first Megadeth song I started listening to metal in February 2009. My friend bought the greatest hits collection and this was the ver first song he played I was hooked and megadeth ever since
My Favorites From Worst To Best
9. A Toute La Monde
8. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
7. In My Darkest Hour
6. Countdown To Extinction
5. Peace Sells
4. Hangar 18
3. Sweating Bullets
2. Mechanix
1. Symphony Of Destruction
Runner Ups:
Symphony Of Destruction
Symphony Of Destruction
Symphony Of Destruction
Symphony Of Destruction
Did I mention Symphony Of Destruction?
Holy Wars is overrated and the riffs are too complicated. This song has a better solo. I don't judge solos based on how impressive they are or how hard they are to play. I judge them by how good they sound. Which is why this one is better. Mechanix was very close; VERY close.
Its one of those kinda underrated songs. The meaning about taking a average person and giving him power which then changes him is true and amazing. Maybe not as good as holy wars or peace sells. But its getting my vote!
One of Megadeths Best and well known songs. This song is what first got me into megadeth in the first place. Like others have said, the solo is great, lyrics are top notch and the solo is amazing.
This is there best song to me. People talk about guitar riffs and solos and stuff like that, but this is the best cohesive piece of music I think that Megadeth has.
I like to think of my stepfather when I here this song. He took his own life recently after a long battle with MS and every time I hear this song the feelings resurface except this time I'm almost left with a small taste of bliss. Amazing song with heartfelt lyrics that can be relatable to some.
The most earnest, honest Megadeth song to date. No military, no politics, just honest feelings and genuine concern for the world while still being more heavy than any other band as Megadeth does
This is one of the only Megadeth songs that I can actually listen to if I'm not in the mood for their heavy stuff (even though that rocks just as hard). I thought 'Time: The Beginning' is a very underrated song.
In my opinion A tout le monde is the finest song with In my darkest hour of Megadeth's songs. It is slow and from 1994's Youthanasia, the lyrics are awesome as the guitars are.
So Far, So Good... So What? Is considered sort of a disappointment. I really don't know why. Mary Jane and the cover of Anarchy in the U. K aren't very good but the rest is fantastic and with great songs like Set the world afire, hook in the mouth, Into the Lungs of Hell, and of course this classic In My Darkest Hour. Amazing song!
Numb-Broken-cold-dark is the theme and the mood this song will bring to the listeners. Masterpiece and a golden evidence of finest Thrash Metal of 80s. This Songs has 3 progressive Tempos and Medolic Yet evil guitar solos. This song missed recognisation when it came out but later it won and inspired many artistic musicians. Surely Megadeth's one of the best and fan favourite.
For me:
1. In my darkest hour
2. Tornado of Souls
3. Holy wars... The punishment due
4. Five Magics
5. Rust in Peace... Polaris
6. Hangar 18
7. Peace sells
8. Wake up dead
9. She wolf
10. The conjuring
11. Symphony of destruction
12. Sweating bullets
13. Lucretia
14. Poison was the cure
15. Take no prisioners
16. A tout le monde
17. Mechanix
18. Devils island
19. Skin o' my teeth
20. Killing is my business
This song is just a masterpiece. The lyrics are strong, the riffs are catchy, and the solos are unique. Not to mention the part where Mustaine says "you just laughed" as he makes a laughing noise with his guitar... Classic Megadeth
I think people are not really listening; otherwise this song would have been high up in the list. For those who voted Holy Wars, and only listened to Tornado and things like that: give this song a try. Give the whole album a try really. Let go of the preconceived notions about how you want this band to sound like or how you want metal to sound like for that matter. And listen. You will be surprised.
This and Hangar-18 are two of the best Megadeth songs I've ever heard but I believe, Wake up Dead is highly underrated.
Six different amazingly crafted riffs, simple lyrics and the 'Megadeth' feel to this song make it my favourite.
This is 4 songs worth of some of the best metal riffs ever written! The solos are badass too. Not the best megadeth song ever but underrated on this list!
Contains one of my most favourite riffs of all time. The entire song sounds so badass. Definitely not number one but it's certainly my favourite.
From the eerie intro all the way to the last notes, this song rocks and is without a doubt the best song to sing along to. The lyrics are such a blast and trying to imitate Dave's voice is such a fun experience and the entire song is just 5 minutes of awesome.
Amazing song with dark but meaningful lyrics and as always, great instrumentals. This is the song that turned me onto Megadeth and I truly think that it should be a little higher up on the list.
Of the 11 tracks on this album, There's not a single riff/instrumental I didn't like. Despite lyrics and voice... This album had the best riffs of all Megadeth (for an album)...
Love the way the singing doesn't go with the guitar playing at all. Also think the lyrics are kinda funny. In my top five no doubt.
Peace Sells... The album where Megadeth was at the top of their game.
My Top Ten
1) Good Mourning / Black Friday
2) My Last Words
3) Devils Island
4) Bad Omen
5) The Conjuring
6) Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
7) Tornado Of Souls
8) Five Magics
9) Take No Prisoners
10) Hangar 18
As you can see I'm kind of hooked to two of their albums, although I do like everything they released apart from Risk, all their best songs just happen to be on those two albums.
One of the most beautifully written songs by the band. In the beginning, it starts out with a bit of a sad tone, but eventually it conjures up (no pun intended) and becomes one of the most legendary songs in thrash history. Easily Megadeth's greatest song. Also, a song from The System Has Failed passing this masterpiece?
Knock off a 1 here. This should be first. Older fans will appreciate this from the mists of time. A sinister opening, relentless speed and energy with raw thrash sound. Up there with the iconic slayer, Metallica tunes. What a powerful song. Megadeth at their very best!
I love this song so much, I thought that it would have been at least top 5. I love the guitar and the vocals. It just makes me think of my life experiences. Megadeth is the best group there is. I'm doing a music project on them and to find out how they started is amazing!
Mustaine's lyrics are always awesome, the guitar sound is great too, this song has something special that makes it different to the other songs of cryptic writings, I like it and the first time I heard it, I knew it would be one of Megadeth's favorite songs. I also think this album is better compared to the new era, this is far better than Super Collider, Endgame, The System Has Failed, United Abominations, For me it has a better music technique and sound, I'll say I would place it in the top 5 best Megadeth albums.
As a huge Megadeth fan, for some reason I still end up gravitating to this song more than the others. Granted, it isn't as technical/thrashy as their stuff in Peace, RIP or Endgame (which are their best albums in my opinion) but the harmonic layers in this are nothing short of divine. Beautifully crafted, this song is proof that sometimes less is more.
EVERYTHING about this single exudes Dave's gift for music making. The drumbeat, intro, riffs and vocals are all top-class, and recorded with the greatest Megadeth lineup ever. Instant classic.
This song shows that Megadeth doesn't need to play at 1000 mph to create a masterpiece. Megadeth paved the way for many of todays metal bands, and this was one of the songs that contributed to that.
I'm not a huge Megadeth fan (Mustaine's vocals are a dealbreaker for me), but I do enjoy the Rust in Peace album and its title track. It has some of Dave's least annoying vocals, and its got great riffs.
Note: Dave Mustaine is not God, nor is he the creator of speed metal. Motorhead has got that honor. He is not the creator of thrash either, because so many different bands began writing thrash metal at the same time, like Metallica, Venom, Anvil, Slayer, etc. Besides, Dave is a bigot who blamed the Aurora shootings on Obama and said that America is becoming "Nazi America. " He also told African women to "put a plug in it" and stop having children.
The masterful drums and blend of lead and rhythm guitar, combined with excellent song writing and structure, are what drive this song and make it one of, if not the best Megadeth song. I would've picked Holy Wars, but that song already gets plenty of recognition, so I decided to go with one of the underdogs.
Better than hanger 18 and Symphony combined. Amazing sections, very diverse, honestly, best megadeth song off of that album! Only competitors to this song in awesomeness in my opinion is tornado and wake up dead!
My favorite guitar riff ever! And man, that drum intro is too badass for this world. The solos, the lyrics, Dave's vocals, really everything about this song is great.
I refer to the first three songs of Peace Sells as "the triumvirate". It is the best opening to a metal album (while the actual best album would be Master of Puppets, or The Number of the Beast).
Wake Up Dead -> The Conjuring -> Peace Sells. And the centerpiece of that triumvirate is, well, in the center: The Conjuring.
This is a hard core tune in topic and musicianship. Despite Mustaines feelings about not wanting to play this song live anymore, its one of the greatest thrash metal songs ever and deserves to be played just for the amazing guitar, bass and drums.
One of the best songs of Megadeth, it at least deserves the Top 5 list... The strarting riffs, and solos in between are awesome, really deserves a top spot..
Incredible song, I'm surprised its not ranked higher. In my opinion this is the best song on the Peace Sells album. MEGADETH!
How can this song be so low on the list?
I know it has a bit radio-friendly sound to it, but it still kicks ass!
It is the perfect shot at man's urge to feel 'powerful' by killing innocent animals ruthlessly (Point blank, you're so courageous! ) and Dave has shown why he is "The" Dave Mustaine.
He said this in an iterview in The Warchest:
"Countdown to Extinction is more or less about how we kill off all our animals, the hunters are only going to be able to kill off one last animal, that's man! "
This song definitely deserves to be in the top 10.
It's a tough call between this and Addicted to Chaos but I'm have to go with this. The last chorus kicks serious ass.
How is this so low?
This song is amazing!
Amazing song! Best song on that album
At first Megadeth was just a classic metal band with only a couple of songs like symphony of destruction or hangar 18 but after listening to this song it opened my eyes to a whole new classic rock
Megadeth are the kings of classic rock not slayer not anthrax not pantera and not Metallica. Megadeth
I wasnt a real big fan of Megadeth until this album, and Angry Again is what sold me into them, so this is definitely Top Ten, great riff, great vocals, great theme.
How is this so low? Jack Slater is gonna kick your big ass if he comes back and this isn't in top 15! "I'll be back!"
Great song. Nice pace, Awesome chorus.
Great song, it never leave my top 10 Megadeth song list. Hearing them play it a few years back on tour when they played Rust in its entirety was a heavy metal high point for me. This along with Ashes in your Mouth are the two most under rated Megadeth songs!
Probably one of the best songs to ever be heard by mankind, I thoruoghly believe that the song originated from Mt Olympus, until one day when dave mustaine step down from the heavens, took on a human form and presented five magics as a gift to the human race.
Its unbelievable the way they can mix power and melody at the same time. It brings many different feelings at the same time. I think it should be on the top ten, this song is epic
This is the Real Song that got me into metal, so I have a real Intimacy with this one, but to see it so low on the list is just heartbraking. I know it deserves better. It will get better.
This is honestly one of the most original songs I've ever heard, Sod cannot compare to this song. This song has every reason that makes megadeth amazing.
One of the all time greatest riffs in heavy metal. Awesome song... Great lyrics, definitely one of Megadeths top 10 songs ever. Just brutal!
Just a great song and one of Megadeth's top 5 riff's ever!
Mustaine shows his incredible talents in this song.
This is one of my favorite Megadeth songs, I love the flow to it and the duet is incredible. Should be way higher
How about a little respect for the title track to the album that started it all for THE greatest band in the history of speed metal? Awesome riff and solos, fun vocals... It's my theme song!
How is this song not even in the top 100? Easily the best track on the first album. Raw, fast-paced, and one of the best Megadeth riffs. Maybe not number 1, but definitely in my top 10.
Their best song, it is brutally fast and is one of the hardest (heaviest) riffing songs ever made. The song just is pure badass
So well paced and a good overall song worthy of beating out anything from countdown.
Pure old school metal at its finest. A magical piano touch in the intro to Killing is My Business level metal. In my top 10 for sure.
Damn it, 98 place? It's got awesome intro, with greater vocals and riffs
Best song from their debut album.
This song deserves to be within the top 10. Deep lyrics, cool riff, three awesome solos, even the drumming is top notch. AND it won the band a Grammy.
Its Just Hangar 18 all over again, why even bother putting it up so high.
This song has the most epic outro I've ever heard!
This entire album is just amazing
I don't like much megadeth, but this album is in my top 10 metal albums of all time
And this song defines the album
Kiko destroyed that solos
One of the best head-banging songs, it deserves to be in top 5
Anyone who wants a reason for a leave, should certainly listen to this song.
U will surely get your neck sprained listening to this, got mine.
Speed metal at its best.
This is how the Four Horsemen should've been. Mechanix is much better because its faster and the little riff at the beginning that wasn't in The Four Horsemen.
This should be in the top tens in my opinion. Way better then Metallica's version by far.
Get this beast higher, lads!
This song is an amazing song from one of their best albums it has a badass bass fill and awesome solos. It migration not be as good as Holt wars but this song deserves a higher ranking
Have you all even heard this song? This is some heavy-duty thrash metal at it's peak. From the start to the end the songs is hell exhilarating and is a perfect soundtrack for headbanging
Take No Prisoners Is My Favorite Megadeth
Song. I went to see them in concert and when they didn't do that song I was dissapointed.
I like the Head Banger Stuff
This song is under rated, the drum fills, bass solo, amazing riffs and lyrics. Probably my top 5.
Sick opener to a classic heavy metal album. This song set the tone for this whole album and the riffs are amazing! It's the first megadeth song I learned on guitar and it's an absolute classic and is quite underrated. Should be top ten!
Not Top Ten? Come on! Mind you, My Megadeth top ten has about 40 songs in it! Awesome band.
Actually I could have voted for any of about 5 songs on this album. This and Peace Sells.
But Who's Counting?
Oh, you are.
Skillful playing, great drums, amaZing bassline, solo, and message. Easily the best of their songs.
Starts off with a smoking riff and just a great story about Mustaines wild ways and struggles.
As good as any other Megadeth classic! Mind blowing tune, rhythm, melody, solo, tempo... I keep going back to it after decades.
Amazing song. This was one of the first songs by them I heard and learned on guitar. Should definitely be ranked higher.
It just makes a perfect combination of powerful lyrics with powerful riffs, definitely one of the top ten.
Great song, great ending solo, heavy as hell... I'm surprised it's not in the top 10...
Would have to go with this one. I think Holy award is the best but come on that doesn't need moving up, it's at the top. Honestly what really boosted it for me was the solo. Nailing that down in a 2 1/2 hour gruelling practice on guitar for me was very difficult. Marty and Dave were geniuses together. One of the best RIP songs
A very good song from their best album.
It has the same mystical/fantasy style as Five Magics from the same album.
The last two minutes of the song (I.E. the second half), purely instrumental, is very well constructed, as well as the intro.
I call Marty's solo on this song the best Megadeth solo there is. It just fits so well with a great groove to it. It reminds me of oldschool video games soundtracks for some reason. Definitely one of my favourite Megadeth songs. Very underrated.
The Top 10 is this album in its original 9 track entirity plus Symphony of Destruction... How this song isn't Top 5 I don't know!?