Dave Mustaine was an early member of the band Metallica, and helped pen tracks that wound up on their first two albums. In 1983, Mustaine was let go from the group by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield due to personal conflicts and substance abuse. He would be replaced by Kirk Hammett, guitarist for the Bay Area thrash band Exodus, who remains with the band to this day. Dave felt slighted and vowed to make his own band, which would be even faster and heavier than Metallica. Mustaine picked the name "Megadeth" from a pamphlet by California senator Alan Cranston that read: "The arsenal of megadeath can't be rid no matter what the peace treaties come to."
In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including So Far, So Good... So What! (1988), Rust in Peace (1990), and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums, along with worldwide tours, brought them public recognition.
Megadeth has had numerous guitarists, drummers and bassists throughout its 39-year career, with Mustaine being the only remaining original member of the group. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against him. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megadeth's current lineup includes Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
Megadeth earned platinum certifications in the United States for six of its sixteen studio albums, and has received twelve Grammy nominations. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category. The band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, regularly appears on album artwork and live shows. Megadeth has hosted its own music festival, Gigantour, several times since July 2005, and held its first MegaCruise in October 2019.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth
Studio albums
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Rust in Peace (1990)
Countdown to Extinction (1992)
Youthanasia (1994)
Cryptic Writings (1997)
Risk (1999)
The World Needs a Hero (2001)
The System Has Failed (2004)
United Abominations (2007)
Endgame (2009)
Thirteen (2011)
Super Collider (2013)
Dystopia (2016)
The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)
Elysian Fields
Megadeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope the end is less painful than my life
I stand on trial before the gods
On Judgment Day
A blink of an eye between
The cradle and the grave
One last look at visions of flesh
The last best hope of man on earth
The world don't want to be saved
Only left alone
Elysian Fields...
We are storming the heavens
To raise our swords and shields
We ascend to our destiny
To the Elysian Fields
Soaring to the sun
With blood upon their wings
Superstitious dust left twisting in the wind
Man still has one belief,
One decree that stands alone
The laying down of arms
Is like cancer to their bones
The lyrics to "Elysian Fields" by Megadeth explore the concept of life, death, judgment, and the afterlife. The opening verse expresses a sense of hopelessness and a desire for a less painful end to life. The singer then imagines standing before the gods on Judgment Day, realizing the brevity of life between birth and death. The second verse references the biblical figure Pontius Pilate, who infamously washed his hands of responsibility in the trial of Jesus. The line "The world don't want to be saved, only left alone" suggests a pessimistic view of society's desire for salvation or redemption. The chorus portrays the idea of ascending to the Elysian Fields, a Greek concept of an afterlife reserved for the heroic and virtuous.
The bridge of the song paints a vivid image of warriors storming the heavens, ready to fight and die to reach their ultimate destiny. The lyric "soaring to the sun with blood upon their wings" is a powerful image of the cost of such lofty aspirations. The final verse points out that despite technological and societal advancements, man still clings to the belief that violence is a necessary evil. The act of laying down arms is likened to a disease that weakens society's very core.
Line by Line Meaning
Uneasy feeling, burning out my eyes
I feel uncomfortable and my eyes are sore due to the circumstances that surround me.
I hope the end is less painful than my life
I anticipate that the end of my life will be less distressful than my current state.
I stand on trial before the gods
I feel as though I am being judged by a higher power.
On Judgment Day
I will face the ultimate judgment on the day of reckoning.
A blink of an eye between
Life is fleeting and passes by in a moment.
The cradle and the grave
From birth to death, life is the same.
One last look at visions of flesh
Taking a final glimpse at the physical realm before leaving it behind.
The last best hope of man on earth
Humanity's final chance at redemption on this planet.
Pontius Pilate still washing his hands
People are still trying to absolve themselves of guilt and responsibility for their actions.
The world don't want to be saved
Society is indifferent to the idea of salvation and rescue from a higher power.
Only left alone
Everyone is isolated and has to deal with their problems on their own.
Elysian Fields...
A reference to the afterlife where souls go to rest.
We are storming the heavens
Humans are attempting to reach and conquer the heavens.
To raise our swords and shields
Preparing for battle and taking up arms for the fight.
We ascend to our destiny
Rising up to fulfill our ultimate fate.
To the Elysian Fields
Going to the afterlife after death.
Soaring to the sun
Flying higher and higher towards the sun that represents knowledge and enlightenment.
With blood upon their wings
Stained with the consequences of their actions and the violence that transpired.
Superstitious dust left twisting in the wind
Beliefs and rituals of superstition dispersing and fading away.
Man still has one belief,
Humans still cling to one faith despite everything else.
One decree that stands alone
One law or commandment that remains significant and unchanged.
The laying down of arms
Disarming and giving up the fight, signifying defeat.
Is like cancer to their bones
Giving up and surrendering is as detrimental and fatal as cancer to one's being.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE ELLEFSON, DAVE MUSTAINE, DAVID ELLEFSON, MARTIN FRIEDMAN, MARTY FRIEDMAN, NICK MENZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind