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Megadeth is an American heavy metal band formed in 1983, and disbanded in 2002
Shortly after lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica due to drug use and personality conflicts, Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson formed Megadeth. Mustaine became the band's singer and primary lyricist as well as playing guitar. The band soon added drummer Lee Rash and temporary guitarist Slayer's Kerry King. Later the same year, Rash was replaced by Gar Samuelson, and Chris Poland took over for King.
In late 1984, they were signed to Combat Records, and in May 1985 they released their first album, entitled Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good. In November 1986 they released their second album, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying. Later the same year Megadeth signed with Capitol Records, who also bought the rights to Peace Sells... from Combat.
Gar Samuelson and Chris Poland were fired from the band after a tour in Hawaii. Replacements were Chuck Behler (drums) and Jeff Young (guitars).
In March 1988 Megadeth released their next album, So Far So Good... So What?. In 1989 the lineup changed yet again, as the new members Jeff Young and Chuck Behler were fired. In July the same year, Chuck Behler was replaced by Nick Menza on drums, and Marty Friedman took over Jeff Young's role.
In 1990 Megadeth released their fourth album, entitled Rust in Peace, regarded by many Speed metal-fans as one of the most technically fulfilled and exciting speed-metal albums of all time.
In July 1992, Megadeth released the album Countdown To Extinction. It became an instant hit, reached #2 on the Billboard album charts, and went multiplatinum. The following album, Youthanasia was delivered in 1994, and it also became a great success.
Their next album, entitled Cryptic Writings was released in 1997. This album had more pop influences than the previous ones, but its sound was still unmistakably Megadeth's. Nick Menza left the band in 1998, and was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso.
The pop influences were even more evident on the following album, 1999's Risk. Shortly after its release, Marty Friedman left the band, and was replaced by Al Pitrelli. Risk was not the success they were hoping it would be. Looking for a way to end their contract with Capitol Records, they released a greatest-hits collection entitled Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years (2000). This compilation included two new tracks that they were contractually obliged to give to Capitol.
In 2001 Megadeth signed a deal with Sanctuary Records. Shortly thereafter, they put out a new album, entitled The World Needs A Hero, on which most of the pop sound of the two previous albums was eliminated.
On April 3, 2002, Mustaine announced in a press release that he was leaving the band, officially due to an injury that caused nerve damage to his left arm. The remaining members decided to dissolve Megadeth as a result. This marked the end of the band's nearly twenty-year career.
See Also: Metallica
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