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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Megadeth's Best And Most Atmospheric Album., February 7, 2002
Ever notice how a lot of metal fans tend to judge music solely by how accessable it is rather than how good it is? This is what happened when Megadeth released Youthanasia back in 1994. While the album met with strong reviews and very strong sales overall, some fans were unnecessarely disappointed when they found out how soft and moody it was compared to earlier releases.But if you listen to Youthanasia side-by-side with Countdown To Extinction, you'll notice Youth really isn't much softer nor more "pop-like." In fact, Youthanasia (in a lot of ways) has a decidely less commercial sound than Countdown. Probably because the guitars on Youth are decidedly heavier (remember how unusually plain they sometimes sounded on Countdown), and the mood quite a bit darker (don't expect all the sarcastic jokes and humor of Countdown here, ladies and gentlemen). And it isn't as if Megadeth was trying to cash in on what was popular back in late 1994. This album doesn't sound grungey nor alternative. Rather, it seems stuck somewhere between a heavy rock album and a heavy metal album. True, it does have the occasionally pop-like beats of a rock album, but a lot of solos are just as grinding as you would expect from a metal album, riffs just as heavy, and song themes just as disturbing. Disturbing enough that MTV actually refused to play the video for A Tout Le Monde because of what the song was dealing with (suicide). How's that for a sell out? As for the actual songs, I can't really think of any that I didn't like. Train of Consequences is definitely the album's highlight with its excellent drumming, catchy riff, and great solo. Addicted to Chaos has one of the most beautiful solos Megadeth has ever done, and one of the most powerful choruses they'd ever done. Elysian Fields has a catchy (almost hammer-like) beat, and Family Tree is among the darkest and most disturbing songs Megadeth has ever written (no, it's not a love song as its chorus may suggest, but actually a song about incest). In brief, Youthanasia is a great album. Especially if you liked the previous Countdown To Extinction. After all, there's really no major difference in accesability between the two albums.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Youthanasia - An uderrated masterpiece, March 17, 2004
I really don't understand why metal fans keep insisting in the useless paranoia speech of "selling out" every time a metal band releases an album who isn't bloddy 5000 beats per minute loud and noisy as their former ones! Let's face it, Youthanasia is one of the best Megadeth albums ever. Musically and lyrically speaking. The mood is heavier, though the pace is slower than Countdown or Rust. The guitars have been tune down half a step, so it contributes to that.
Musically, it is a killer! Mustaine's both vocals and riffing are amazing, very well produced and Marty does well with some amazing soloing.
Sure, it isn't as "Megadethish" as Peace Sells or Rust, but it sure as hell is a definite highlight in this outstanding band's carrer.
"Addicted to Chaos" is my favorite, but you can name every one of the songs in the album as quite good. Intricate, melodic, defying, dark and metalic. That sums up this masterpiece!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece...indeed!, October 12, 2000
Looking back at Megadeth's history book, clear is their musicianship, talent and above all their constant maturity and improvements.The band hit the top when they recorded Countdown to Extinction and then.....they stormed over the top with Youthanasia. The album features a more mature sound/riffing/solos from the band. The songs are shorter than those in Rust in peace (which is Megadeth favourite album by fans) but each song in Youthanasia is as heavy as those in Rust....The solos are more melodic here and the techniques used in riffing and solos is more complex and melodic(again!). The album opens with the wicked 'Reckoning day' which has a cool 'acoustic-like' solo. then comes the 'Train of consequences & Addicted to chaos'. what comes next is one of Megadeth's finest and most sincere moments....A tout le monde is a classic, with all the meanings that classic holds. the lyrics in this song are beautiful. The intro is one of my favourites and the bridge/chorus are among the best you can ever hear. Also on this album, there's the haunting 'Family tree' with its neat bass riff. The song 'Youthanasia' is also an excellent song advancing from the slow doomy-like riff to the typical Megadeth thrash riff. Then to add a magnificent final touch to the album, 'I thought I knew it all' comes to play. Everything in this song is perfect. The lyrics will haunt you for a long time. The riff will echo in your ears and the solo will complete this classic (too!)...The production on this album (like Countdown to extinction) is crisp and the sound is crystal-clear. All in all this album truley a masterpiece. I am not just writing down an opinion here just so you know that I'm a big fan of Megadeth, but good music should be appreciated anywhere and this album is surely one of music's finest hours, one of metal's greatest offerings and one of Megadeth's best albums...ever. It's an album to enjoy,keep and treasure...and that's a fact. Thank you.
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