Risk [Enhanced]

Megadeth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000JYY7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (289 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,446 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Insomnia

2. Prince Of Darkness

3. Enter The Arena

4. Crush 'Em

5. Breadline

6. The Doctor Is Calling

7. I'll Be There

8. Wanderlust

9. Ecstacy

10. Seven

11. Time: The Beginning

12. Time: The End

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Album that Split the Fans, June 24, 2002

By 

Graham Lacey (Dublin 14, -- Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Risk (Audio CD)

I think it's fair to say that if "Risk" did split the fans, it probably split them about 75/25 in favour of loathing this album. Not being that emotionally attached to Megadeth (I do own all their albums but would not consider myself a die-hard fan), I'm not that concerned with sell-out claims if the music is still enjoyable. As a comparison, the Metallica "sell out" turned me off them as I thought "Load" and "Re-Load" were utterly hopeless albums.

As far as "Risk" goes, 'Insomnia' and 'Crush Em' are excellent rockers, industrial tinges evident for the first time. Although more mainstream, the melodic 'Breadline' is one of the more addictive tunes that the band have written, while the alternative, Eagles-inspired 'Ecstasy' and the edgy 'Wanderlust' are credits to their catalogue.

Less impressive are the dated 'I'll be There' and plain awful 'Seven'. Concept tunes, 'Time: The Beginning' and 'Time: The End' are interesting and 'The Doctor is Calling' is a passable rock tune. 'Prince of Darkness' is amusing metal parody but Mustaine does it well.

I like "Risk" but if you already have doubts then perhaps stay away.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars My Overall Thoughts On Risk., February 26, 2002

By 

Martin Alther (Ferndale, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Risk (Audio CD)

Risk seems to be an album most Megadeth fans would like to forget. It showed the band finally breaking out of the heavy metal mold and into alternative rock territory (with a little industrial thrown in for good measure), which logically turned a lot of fans off (the album's decidedly low sales figures speak for themselves). One day, I was curious to see how bad/different the album really was, so I went ahead and borrowed it from a friend. Well, after giving it quite a few listens, I can say that it isn't as bad as people say it is. In fact, I can't really think of anything here that I would classify as "horrible." Unfortunately, with the exception of one song, I can't really think of anything that I would really classify as "great" or even "good" either.

Interestingly enough, the one song on here that I really liked also happens to be its most famous: the energetic sports anthem Crush'em. The song has a nice little groove, and even a bit of a Red Hot Chili Peppers flare at some parts. Mustaine also has a very low-key style of singing that makes the song all the more interesting and catchy.

Unfortunately, with the exception of Crush'em, there's nothing on Risk that really stands out from the rest of the crowd (both heavy metal and not). You would be shocked by how commercial a lot of these songs really sound. I'll Be There, for example, is a very Creed-like track while Breadline sounds almost like something from Godsmack. Again, Risk is not a heavy metal album. It's a basic, no-frills alternative album, fitting in perfectly with a lot of the modern alternative music MTV plays. Pretty much all that's missing from Megadeth are the Carson Daly haircuts.

The band does try to throw a little innovation into the album with some techno/industrial twinges. Unfortunately, they end up detracting from the songs rather than enhancing them. Insomnia, example, is a promising song that is ruined by messy synthesizers and annoying vocals.

This isn't a terrible album, and I'd say it does have the edge over a lot of the similar music MTV plays these days. It certainly isn't a great album, however, and is not recommended unless you're a fan of modern alternative music or are curious to see how Megadeth would sound playing such a style. Listen to some audio samples before you shell out $14 for it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It Really Isn't So Bad, January 13, 2002

By 

Sean Ares Hirsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Risk (Audio CD)

For those of you who gave this record low ratings, I understand your disappointment. Granted, this is not Megadeth's best record or even 2nd best. But, there is value to be found in it. Now, don't get me wrong. I WANT to hear more songs like 'Good Mourning Black Friday,' 'The Conjuring,' 'Set the World Afire,' 'Hangar 18,' and 'The Tornado of Souls.' But remember, Dave Mustaine is an artist. Ofcourse he is going to try some different things now and then. In all honesty, this record has some memorable tracks like 'Insomnia,' 'Wonderlust,' and 'Time.' If you only want the essential Megadeth, I suggest you stick with 'Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?,' 'Rust In Peace,' and 'The World Needs A Hero.' But if you are open to hearing the different sides of Dave Mustaine, then "Risk" should be in your collection. Keep in mind, Dave Mustaine DID NOT sell out. His latest record "The World Needs A Hero" shows that he still cares about what us heavy metal fans want.