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)
Victory
Megadeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I was hung like a martyr
For "Looking Down the Cross" my "Skull Beneath the Skin"
Prophesied "Last Rites/Loved to Death" my friends
Then I started seeing "Bad Omens" in my head
"Good Mourning/Black Friday," will I "Wake Up Dead"?
If "I Ain't Superstitious" then this won't mean a thing
But some crazy shit has happened since "The Conjuring"
Had fingers in my eyes, had needles in my veins
A knife right through my heart, I am a victory
Came "Anarchy" to "Set the World Afire"
Pain of "Hook in Mouth," "In My Darkest Hour"
Corruption of the world, "Peace Sells... But Nobody's Buying"
Ignorant religion, "Holy Wars" and the dying
"Tornado" nearly got me by the "Skin O'My Teeth"
"This Was My Life," "Foreclosure of My Dreams"
May the past "Rust in Peace" in "Hangar 18"
And "Countdown to Extinction" just be a bad dream
"Lucretia" said...
The lyrics of the song "Victory" by Megadeth are a reflection on the life and experiences of the singer. The song starts with the singer talking about his past experiences in the music industry where he used to tell everyone that "Killing is My Business". He then talks about the backlash he received for his previous music releases such as "Looking Down the Cross" and "Skull Beneath the Skin" which were considered controversial. The singer goes on to talk about how these experiences led to his prophesying "Last Rites/Loved to Death" for his friends who were also involved in the music industry.
The singer then starts seeing "Bad Omens" in his head and becomes fearful of death as he questions whether he will "Wake Up Dead". He talks about the craziness in his life that started since the release of "The Conjuring". The lyrics then shift to a reflection on life and the struggles that the singer has faced, including drug addiction, needles in his veins, and a knife right through his heart. Despite these struggles, the singer declares himself a "Victory" as he overcomes them.
The rest of the song touches on themes of corruption, religion, and death. The singer criticizes religious institutions and their involvement in wars and dying. The song ends with a reference to a character named Lucretia, who is believed to have influenced the singer's life in some way.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, one day I started telling everyone that "Killing Is My Business..."
I once proclaimed to all that I was exceptionally good at taking lives without being caught.
And I was hung like a martyr
I was punished and sacrificed for my beliefs like a religious martyr.
For "Looking Down the Cross" my "Skull Beneath the Skin"
I faced criticism and condemnation from others for my spiritual beliefs, which I held dear.
Prophesied "Last Rites/Loved to Death" my friends
My loved ones and I predicted my tragic fate as I struggled with extreme emotions.
Then I started seeing "Bad Omens" in my head
I began experiencing terrifying visions of misfortune and tragedy.
"Good Mourning/Black Friday," will I "Wake Up Dead"?
I am haunted by the fear of waking up dead one day and the ominous reminders of past tragedies.
If "I Ain't Superstitious" then this won't mean a thing
If I didn't believe in the supernatural, then these omens and prophecies wouldn't scare me.
But some crazy shit has happened since "The Conjuring"
Despite my skepticism, I have experienced unusual and frightening events since being involved in dark magic rituals.
Not even close... To overdose!
Despite flirting with death and tragedy, I have not yet succumbed to self-destruction.
Had fingers in my eyes, had needles in my veins
I have been tortured and abused in unspeakable ways, particularly through means of invasive procedures and drugs.
A knife right through my heart, I am a victory
Even though I have faced immense pain and hardship, I have emerged stronger and victorious.
Came "Anarchy" to "Set the World Afire"
Chaotic and destructive forces have come into play, threatening to destroy society and the world as we know it.
Pain of "Hook in Mouth," "In My Darkest Hour"
I have experienced deep emotional torment, especially in times of darkness and despair.
Corruption of the world, "Peace Sells... But Nobody's Buying"
The world is consumed by greed, violence, and corruption, and even the idea of a peaceful existence is viewed with skepticism.
Ignorant religion, "Holy Wars" and the dying
Religion has become a source of conflict and destruction, causing wars and sacrificing innocent lives in the name of misguided beliefs.
"Tornado" nearly got me by the "Skin O'My Teeth"
I have narrowly escaped death and other disasters, coming out only by the skin of my teeth on several occasions.
"This Was My Life," "Foreclosure of My Dreams"
I have often felt trapped and restrained by my circumstances, unable to realize my full potential or achieve my goals.
May the past "Rust in Peace" in "Hangar 18"
I hope that the troubles and regrets of the past are finally put to rest and forgotten.
And "Countdown to Extinction" just be a bad dream
I hope that the fears and worries of impending doom for humanity turn out to be nothing but a bad dream.
"Lucretia" said...
A person or entity, referenced as Lucretia, delivered a message or acted as a guide during these challenging times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE ELLEFSON, DAVE MUSTAINE, DAVID ELLEFSON, MARTIN FRIEDMAN, MARTY FRIEDMAN, NICK MENZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind