Cryptic Writings

Megadeth

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (June 17, 1997)
• Original Release Date: June 17, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U5E
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #279,977 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In 1996, after Dave Mustaine released his experimental side project, MD.45's The Craving, there were scattered reports about how the metal veteran was turning over a new leaf with a new band. But any circulating rumors of Megadeth's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The group's seventh album Cryptic Writings is its strongest release since 1990's Rust in Peace. Not only are the songs crunchy and confrontational, they're suffused with crafty hooks that make them memorable without detracting from their primal power. Add some acrobatic guitar solos from Mustaine and Marty Friedman, and you've got a record that will unfurrow the brow of anyone who thinks Metallica sold out with Load. Granted, there's not much innovation on Cryptic Writings, but in an age of self-centered angst and watered down Nirvana riffs, Megadeth's unapologetic metal fury is as refreshing as a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. --Jon Wiederhorn

Product Description
Japanese edition of their 1997 album with 'One Thing' added as a bonus track 'One Thing'. 13 tracks total, also featuring the single 'Trust'. An EMI release. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good God........., June 14, 2001

By	N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cryptic Writings (Audio CD)

In 1997, Megadeth followed Metallica's lead. After Metallica ventured into the mainstream, I was surprised a bit when Megadeth releaded "Youthanasia" in '94, which was pretty good, but "Cryptic Writings" is the equivilant to Metallica's "Load" (with "Risk" being equivilent to "ReLoad"). Megadeth sounds too mainstream on "Cryptic Writings", but the songs are ok, it just gets at me when I listen to "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying", and then hear something off of here (the same happened with Metallica). This proved to be Nick Menza's last album with Megadeth, with Jimmy DeGrasso joining on "Risk". If you like old school Megadeth, avoid this, but if you like mainstream hard rock, "Cryptic Writings" is as good as any other album out there.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If you ignore it, it will go away...., July 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cryptic Writings (Audio CD)

I am an old school Megadeth fan, and therefore cannot help to view this album through the prism of the band's previous releases. In my view, to pretend that this is the work of a heretofore unknown band and judge it on that basis is impractical, and because there's no mistaking Dave Mustaine's voice, impossible. This album has it's strong points... "Trust" and "Almost Honest" stick to the mind, and my favorite track of the album, "Use The Man", is in my opinion the most powerful ballad Megadeth has made since "In My Darkest Hour". "The Disintegrators" seems to tell the listener "we could, if we wanted to...."; it rocks. The other tracks of the album are just plain... weak, I hate to say. "Fight for Freedom" sounds like it was either consciously or unconsciously modeled after "Motorbreath", an early Metallica song, and the "She Wolf" track is just somewhat... sad, the aural equivalent of walking home one day to find your wife playing with Barbie dolls, and meaning it. I would mention other tracks if I could recall their titles.... In my opinion, if something keeps me entertained for a length of time equal to or greater than the time I worked to earn the money I used to pay for it, it was a worthy investment. This album passes that test... but not nearly to the degree I hoped it would.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Megadeth's Finest Hour..., August 1, 2003

By	Ravi S. Madapati (Hyderabad, AP India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cryptic Writings (Audio CD)

Cryptic Writing is one of the best albums this standout speed metal gurus have ever released. Also a bit tragic since after this album, Menza left and after Risk, Friedman left. So this is the last album of Megadeth with their classic lineup. Also this album marks the first time they changed their producer in a while, instead of tried and trusted Max Norman who did most of their previuos work, Megadeth got in Dan Huff, who is not that well known and got some country music behind him.

The result, a little slow down in the initial phase of the album, but as ususal goes on to hit some really heavy songs. The album starts with my all time favourite Megadeth twin songs ever, Trust and Almost Honest, beautiful, moving songs by Mustaine et al on relationships. Just brilliant lyrics, awesome guitars and they leave you spellbound. The song structures are very simple compared to their earlier works (RIP being the most complex I guess), just a few notes and the regular power chords. But the beauty is, the leads are not missing, some songs ever featuring 2 or more leads. In this age of fake guitarist who cant play lead to save their lives, Megadeth is an exception. This is a guitarist band and you know why when you listen to them.

The album also marks the maturity of Mustaine as a singer. His voice is remarkable in this album esp on the first two songs. Use the Man might [anger you] initially, if you are a hardcore metalhead but it will grow into you. Mastermind, Sin, She-wolf and Vortex are sinister songs in true Mustaine style. The other standout songs are, I'll get even with you, FFF and Disintegrators, AWESOME!!! This is what is known as full blown, [tail] rippin metal and Megadeth helped create the genre....just hoping that they will come back from the dead some day.....