Customer Reviews

Hidden Treasures

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The 1995 EP Hidden Treasures collects the various tracks that Megadeth contributed to soundtracks and tribute albums throughout the early 1990's. Here's what you get:

1. No More Mr. Nice Guy - This one is a cover of the Alice Cooper classic, and comes from the soundtrack to the movie Shocker.

2. Breakpoint - This is an original Megadeth track, and comes from the soundtrack to the movie Super Mario Brothers.

3. Go To Hell - Another original Megadeth track, this time from the Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey soundtrack.

4. Angry Again - Another original Megadeth song. This one is from the Last Action Hero soundtrack.

5. 99 Ways to Die - Yet another Megadeth original, this time from the Beavis & Butthead Experience CD.

6. Paranoid - An ultra-fast cover of the Black Sabbath classic, taken from the Sabbath tribute album Nativity in Black.

7. Diadems - Another original Megadeth song. This one comes from the soundtrack to the movie Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight.

8. Problems - A Sex Pistols cover that is exclusive to this EP.

This is a nice collection of material that saves Megadeth fans from tracking down half a dozen otherwise crappy albums (though to be fair, the Last Action Hero soundtrack was pretty good). I fully expected these songs to be included on the recent Megadeth remasters, but to my surprise they were not. Hidden Treasures remains the best way to get these songs. It's too bad the disc is out of print.

NOTE: There is a Japanese import version of Hidden Treasures that contains a few demos as bonus tracks. They're just demo versions of existing Megadeth tracks, so they may not be worth the Japanese disc's hefty price tag.

This fan pleasing C.D. is comprised of eight "hidden" Megadeth gems, which are rarities, covers, and b-sides/songs from soundtracks. If you're new to Megadeth, I wouldn't recommend starting here, but every song on here is enjoyable, making this a great and essential inclusion in your collection. The album opener, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" is an Alice Cooper cover, and it is quite catchy. Next, "Breakpoint" (from the "Super Mario Brothers" movie) has four nice, but very brief guitar solos, and "Go To Hell" (from the movie "Bill And Ted's Bogus Adventure") which kind of sounds like a b-side from "Countdown to Extinction," has a great, five part solo. But "Angry Again" is the real highlight, here. It's from the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack and is one of Megadeth's most recognizable songs, because it is also very catchy. This song (which remains a staple of Megadeth's live shows) also has a nice solo (this one has four parts to it). "99 Ways To Die" has another guitar solo which flares up, and uses (what sounds like) arpeggio guitars. "Paranoid" originally appeared on the first Black Sabbath tribute album, and this Megadeth cover is probably the best version of this song ever recorded (aside from the original, of course). "Diadems" is taken from "Tales From the Crypt Presents Demon Knight" soundtrack. This cut is rather unremarkable (if you ask me), except for the speed change around the middle. Finally, "Problems" is quite fast and catchy. The only problem with this EP is that it's short (less than half an hour long!) Plus, it's pretty rare now-a-days, so I'd order it online if you don't already own it. All in all, however much "Hidden Treasures" costs, it's worth it if you're a Megadeth fanatic and/or collector.

These are four guys who can write great music. The people that don't like megadeth's music are the ones who don't have an ear for music, they just like banging their head. 99 ways to die rocks all the way through the song and never stops. Angry again is awesome. The rest speaks for itself....Great.

Hidden Treasures (1995. (Re-released 2007.)), a collection of Megadeth rarities

The year 2007 has seen a number of great releases for the thousands of Megadeth fans out there. The band's new studio album, `United Abominations', is a fantastic release and the `That One Night, Live In Buenos Aires' DVD is excellent concert footage. To put the icing on the cake, the band's rarities collection `Hidden Treasures' was given a remaster and re-release. `Hidden Treasures' was originally released in 1995 however it had eventually gone out of print and had become increasing difficult to get hold of in CD format. The re-release (albeit only currently available outside the US) gives a new lease of life to very much an excellent `Megadeth fans' release. The work has been certainly remastered - the first eight tracks which formed the basis of the original CD sound crisp and clear with excellent bass depth and intensity. 3 Demos and a radio of `A Tout Le Monde' are also included on the CD. The tracks themselves span very much the `classic' period of Megadeth's career from 1989-1995 and are mostly releases for film/computer game soundtracks. Apart from the first song on the album, each track features the line-up of Dave Mustaine, Dave Ellefson, Nick Menza and Marty Friedman. Below is a little about the songs.

`No More Mr. Nice Guy' opens the collection. This is a fantastic cover of the 1970's Alice Cooper classic and is the only Megadeth song recorded as a 3 piece. It was recorded in 1989 during the band's search for a second guitarist to replace Jeff Young. Megadeth's version is faster than the original and contains some excellent vocals and guitar work from Mustaine. `Breakpoint' is a good follow up with some express riffs and a humorous interlude mid-way through. `Go To Hell' is an interesting song, in many ways very much Megadeth's take on Metallica's `Enter Sandman' as it features the `Now I Lay Me Down...' lyrics. I'm not sure if Megadeth released this before Metallica brought out their self-titled or if it is a humorous dig at Mustaine's former band but either way it is a pretty good and funny song. ` Angry Again' is for me the best track on this rarities CD. One of my personal favourite Megadeth songs, it contains some great melodies and an amazingly great chorus which really sticks inside your head. There also some Friedman guitar solo excellence in the song. '99 Ways To Die' is another CD highlight, with plenty of energy and another mint chorus line. The band's cover of Black Sabbath's `Paranoid' is well worth a listen as is the much more mellow and stately `Diadems'. `Problems' is a very well done version of the original Sex Pistols song. The most worthwhile song in the bonuses is the demo of `Symphony Of Destruction' which has an excellent extended solo section (the song can also be found on the `Countdown To Extinction' remaster bonuses). The demo/edit extras `A Tout Le Monde', `Architecture Of Aggression' and `New World Order' are all good versions of the songs in their own right.

Overall this is another Megadeth release which is well worth getting hold of if you're a big fan of the band. Personally I think the CD is worth it for `Angry Again' alone but the rest of the CD is a further collection of Megadeth excellence. The CD will no doubt be available in the US soon, this great CD is a fan must which has thankfully received a much deserved re-release and makeover!

MY RATING: 8/10

Collecting seven tracks from various soundtracks and tribute albums, and a cover of the Sex Pistols' "Problems" recorded specifically for this disc, Megadeth's "Hidden Treasures" is an awesome EP that features some fantastic songs. Covers include a ripping cover of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" (from the Shocker soundtrack) and the absolute best cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" (from the first Nativity in Black tribute album) you'll ever hear. Also here is "Breakpoint" (from the Super Mario Bros. movie), "Go to Hell" (from Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey), the amazing "Diadems" (from Tales From the Crypt Presents Demon Knight), and last but not least, a little song called "Angry Again" (from the Last Action Hero soundtrack) which is one of the best songs Dave Mustaine has ever written, and remains a concert favorite to this day. All in all, if you can find this EP and your a Megadeth fan, new or old, this is an absolute must own.

Had the songs on this cd not been from movies and various compilation albums, this could very well have been the most popular Megadeth album to date. Every song on this cd stands out and is fun to listen to. Three of the songs on this cd were also nominated for grammys, more than any other Megadeth album, and it is a shame this cd is often over looked and forgotten. This was the first Megadeth album i ever heard, and is still one of my favorites.

This album has the voracity and angst that metal fans everywhere yearn for. Although commercially appealing, it is one of metal's finest products. There's plenty here to keep any rock enthusiast entertained, and then some. Megadeth's version of Alice Cooper's 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' is unique and, dare I say, more powerful than Alice has ever done it. Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid is mind blowing with it's attitude and speed. The 'Diadems' slow intro and, out out of nowhere, killer riff is a classic. Finally, 'Angry Again' is a hard hitter the will satisfy any metal lovers appetite. Megadeth has always offered hefty crunch, speed and outstanding lyrical content, no matter the album, but if I had to choose one which contained the best they had to offer it would be this one. Anyone wishing to delve into the deliciously satisfying world of REAL heavy metal should cut their teeth on this!

Yes these are covers minus one song but still they are good covers. I especially like Paraniod... Ozzy couldn't have played it harder himself. The only time I heard this come out as hard and fast was when Randy Rhodes was with him.

This is a great CD for die hard fans and a good one for those not to familiar with the group's musical talents. The reason only 4 stars have been given is well. I like the group but original music goes alot farther that cover songs do.

I found this CD used yesterday. I was amazed when I saw it. I thought I would never find it. Anyway... I was very pleased with the CD. Every song is worth listening to. The highlights would have to be Go To Hell, Angry Again, and 99 Ways to Die.

1: No More Mr. Nice Guy - Catchy and enjoyable, but not very thrash worthy

2: Breakpoint - Good thrash from Megadeth.

3: Go to Hell - Kind of a cross between the Rust in Peace era and the Countdown to Extinction era. Good song none-the-less.

4: Angry Again - Great Megadeth song. VERY catchy.

5: 99 Ways To Die - I was always skeptical about this song. I did not think the hype would amount. It did. Awesome Megadeth thrasher.

6: Paranoid - Great cover of a classic.

7: Diadems - Well I liked it. The beginning was kind of like something from Iron Maiden.

8: Problems - Not that impressed. It was an okay song, but the end was just way too repetative.

If you like Megadeth, I do not see how you would not like this album. (Unless all you like is Risk... which would be really weird)

"Real album" or not, this is one of my favorite Megadeth CDs - and one of my favorite CDs in general. Every song is at or close to five stars. The cover of No More Mr. Nice Guy is great in a fun, goofy kind of way. Breakpoint and Angry Again are both heavy songs that have BRILLIANT lyrics. Go To Hell is probably my least favorite song on the CD, but it's nothing horrible. 99 Ways To Die has great lyrics and one of the best Marty Freidman guitar solos ever. Diadems is another great song with great lyrics referring to the Biblical prophecies of the end of the world, and Problems sounds great as thrash metal while Dave sounds cool growling "Prrrrrrrahbluhmmmmmssssssss". A great CD.