Product ReviewsCountdown to Extinction by Megadeth (CD, Jul-1992, Capitol/EMI Records)

Easily one of the top 5 best metal records.....of ALL TIME!!!!!!!!

As a DIE HARD metal fan and dedicated guitar player, I have seen, listened to, experienced and even created more metal than just about anyone I've ever met...and certainly more than your average Joe, Mike, Tim and Jonny put together. I have "studied" the genre for over 20 years and can say with confidence that I know what I'm talking about when I say that this record is a Top 5 metal record!!!! Of course everyone has their favs and what not and it can be argued but I dare anyone to come up with 4 or more albums that have the creative, powerful, dynamic, and melodic composition that this album has. Master Of Puppets by Metallica....Rust In Peace also by Megadeth but then what??? Each song is masterfully arranged by everyone's favorite metal-head to hate Dave Mustaine who is superbly supported by one of metal's most gifted guitarist in Marty Friedman. Menza's drumming is as fantastic as it was on Rust In Peace and Ellifson's bass lays a solid blanket on which Mustaine uses as a back ground to deliver some of the most amazing music the metal genre has ever seen. Countdown To Extinction, Captive Honor and Ashes In Your Mouth are my personal favorites for the intricate dance of dynamics that no one but Mustaine could conjure up. Sweating Bullits and the hit single Symphony of destruction are of course classics but less know tracks like Foreclosure Of A Dream,Architecture of Agression and Skin Of My Teeth are also jewels that get lost in a sea of unforgetable riffage that is Countdown To Extinction. I can't say enough about this record because it has a sound and texture that no one prior or since has even come remotely close to capturing. Say what you want about it being not as heavy or fast as Megadeth's earlier work to which I answer WHO CARES!!! I love the fact that Mustaine is sooo freakin AWESOME and that he had the intelligence and guts to expand his sound and evolve his songwritting while maintaining an edge and attitude that is unparralleled. The album is heavy, fast, slow, soft, and most importantly UNPREDICTABLE!!!! Should you want to get into a album with more twist and turns than a Dean Koontz novel, will keep you headbanging until your head falls off and won't EVER get old...Countdown To Extinction will certainlly do the trick and then some.Read full review...

Classic Metal At It's Best

I am proud to say I've owned this album since it was released. Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica for his drug use and alcoholism. He wishes he had made better choices and was still in Metallica, but I hate to wonder what life would be like without this gem. Symphony of Destruction, Sweating Bullets, Foreclosure of a Dream, and the title track are pure metal mayhem that are as good if not better than Metallica's tunes. It's like apples to oranges. I prefer Megadeth's best tunes personally to Metallica's best tunes, but Metallica's longevity with good music has eclipsed Megadeth, which may be the reason Dave Mustaine is apathetic. I mean which would you rather be? A pawn in a much bigger scheme, or the King of a smaller one? I don't know the answer to that, I guess Dave would've rather been the pawn, but I prefer him being the King. Maybe without him getting kicked out of Metallica, he would have never been able to have as much creative control as he has had with Megadeth. Thank you Metallica for kicking him out, because otherwise these exceptional albums (especially this one) may have never seen the light.Read full review...

Pinnacle of a Metal Band

Every band, no matter what kind of band they are, has a high water mark. and for Megadeth this was it. Countdown to Extinction brought Megadeth more fame, money and problem then any of their other albums. They combined all that they had learned and all their desire to out do Metallica (Dave's old band), and shot it off in this album. Foreclouser of a Dream; Sweating Bullets and Symphony of Destruction, the title track, and my personal favorites This Was My Life and Ashes In Your Mouth all give high powered energy and at the same time leave a message.

While their albums after that left a lot to be desired, this was the album that cemented them in Metal Ledgen. Peace Sells...gave them a foot up, and this album pushed them over the top. Maybe it was the constant personel changes, or Mustane's over controlling ways, or maybe evern the had injury he suffered. But they never seemed to reach the heights of this album ever agian. And if you want to know what it is like to really feel Megadetn at their best, then get this album, you won't be disapointed.Read full review...

Its great*

Iḿ so grateful for this CD! I needed to replace my other one its been played for so many years. Iḿ so happy for another new cd of this. Thank you! :-)

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: musicanduniquef...

This was my Life.

1. Skin O' My Teeth
2. Symphony Of Destruction
3. Architecture Of Aggression
4. Foreclosure Of A Dream
5. Sweating Bullets
6. This Was My Life
7. Countdown To Extinction
8. High Speed Dirt
9. Psychotron
10. Captive Honour
11. Ashes In Your Mouth

I was 18 when this got wore out on Tape, yes I said tape. You couldn't read either side of it as much as I played it. True Headbanging experice. #6 was great cause it sounded like the life I was living. #7 sounds so scary that it might be true and the rest just rock^m^Read full review...

Thrash Metal Greats ! A Must for Metalheads !

One of their most popular albums to date , Has very catchy songs ( High speed Dirt , Countdown to Extinction) and thrashing Skin on My Teeth ! Throughout a great album ! Some might argue they were starting to go more commercial , but really, how many did you here on the radio ? A great gateway album, to those who have heard a few songs they like of Megadeth ! Buy This, then once you love it , It will be time for Rust In Peace , Peace Sells ...But Who's Buying , and The System Has Failed ! Truly a Great Metal Band that Continues to Deliver !Read full review...

Countdown to Extinction, one of the few heavy metal bands who could persist

This is one one of the finest albums produced by Megadeth. Unique sound and lyrics blended of what we expected from bands such as this in the early 90's. Always a fan of heavy metal. This just happens to be one of the few bands who have persisted throughout the years.Read full review...

Great CD, Price, and Shipping time!

Classic Album. Can't go wrong with Symphony of Destruction

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

I love this CD

We love it this is so cool.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooksusa

Classic Megadeth

All great songs. Symphony of Destruction a great prediction of the current administration and the video even looks like him.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: seattlegoodwill...