| Youthanasia | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover art byHugh Syme | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1, 1994 (1994-11-1) | |||
| Recorded | 1994 inPhoenix, Arizona | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 49:57 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Megadeth chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Youthanasia | ||||
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Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by Americanheavy metal bandMegadeth, released on November 1, 1994, throughCapitol Records.[1] It is stylistically similar to their previous album,Countdown to Extinction (1992). The title is a play on words, implying that society iseuthanizing its youth. The cover art features an elderly woman hanging babies by their feet on a seemingly endlessclothes line, a direct reference to a line in the title track.
Youthanasia received positive reviews upon its release. It was commercially successful, peaking at number 4 on theBillboard 200 chart, and in 1995 was certifiedplatinum for shipping one million copies in the United States. Aremixed andremastered edition featuring several bonus tracks and detailed liner notes was reissued on July 27, 2004.
Megadeth's previous studio release,Countdown to Extinction, became the band's biggest commercial accomplishment, entering theBillboard 200 at number two and eventually becoming double platinum. As a result, they continually sold-out arenas across North America, in addition to developing a strong following overseas. WithYouthanasia, the band moved to a more mainstream sound.[2]
It was a time of problems and conflicts for Megadeth, that in every two weeks or so, according to frontmanDave Mustaine, there were "outrageous emotional interventions" in order to make the group a democracy. Many band meetings during this period concerned Mustaine's creative control over a "successful formula", so that the rest of the band could better exercise their creativity.[3] Another problem was the indecision on where the recording would take place. Mustaine did not want to record inLos Angeles, so it was eventually decided to record inPhoenix, since the majority of the band resided inArizona.[4]
The sessions for the album initially began in Phase Four Studios (Tempe) in January 1994, after a few weeks the sessions were moved to Vintage Recorders in Phoenix and continued there into May. This studio is often the location for scenes in theEvolver video.[3] ProducerMax Norman suggested that they build a new self-dedicated studio, in cooperation with the band, Capitol and Norman's funding a modular studio was built in a warehouse in South Phoenix. Talking about the recording process, Mustaine said thatYouthanasia was written solely in the studio. "We weren't playing any old, cataloged material. None of the past really influenced the new record."[5] He mentioned that he gave "more freedom" to the other members and called the album "very much a total band effort".[6]
Of interest is that this was hoped to be the first album recorded solely onhard drives, rather thanmagnetic tape. Both Norman and Mustaine were believers in being on the cutting edge of technology, Norman had long been using computers to sample, tune and comp tracks.Digidesign was working on expandingPro Tools from a single track to multitracking and it was hoped that as many as 48 digital tracks could be synced and used to record. The computers used were mostlyMacintosh Quadra and with a great effort by all, it was soon evident that magnetic tape would have to be used.
The cover art byHugh Syme features an elderly woman hanging babies by their feet on a seemingly endless clothesline. According to bassistDavid Ellefson, the artwork concept was directly inspired from a line of the title track, "We've been hung out to dry". He explained that the title track "was probably the strongest representation of how we feel about the young people who listen to our music and what their future holds for them. It's like you have a choice, you can become proactive or you can choose 'Youthanasia'."[7] The title is a combination of the words "youth" and "euthanasia". Mustaine has stated that the idea for the title stems from hearing aboutJack Kevorkian, as well as the declining state of well-being of young people, specifically referring to issues like drugs, crime and violence, and a lack of parenting.[4] The live version of the artwork is also seen in "Train of Consequences" music video.[8]
Like its previous albumCountdown to Extinction,Youthanasia is the second album to not feature the band's mascotVic Rattlehead on the front cover but on the back instead.
Youthanasia was not a large stylistic departure from the band's earlier recordings. According toBillboard, from the drumbeat opening of "Addicted to Chaos" to the precise instrumentation of "Train of Consequences", Megadeth delivered "trademark aggressive rage 'n' roll to powerful effect".Billboard noted that even the slower songs such as "A Tout le Monde" were tending toward "lusty explosion".[9] Authors Pete Prown and HP Newquist opined that lyrically,Youthanasia contained more thematic variations from Megadeth. They wrote that the record was musically diverse, from the "slow-tempo acoustic lines" of "A Tout le Monde" to the "breakneck riffing" of "Train of Consequences" and "Family Tree".[10]Q found that Megadeth's "trademark crunchy riffs, thundering drums and bitter vocals" were still present on the album, with the lyrics being more introspective.[11]
Mike Stagno said thatYouthanasia features "a more traditional type of metal". He explained that even though the music on a number of tracks remains quite heavy, it was obvious that thethrash metal is "very scarce" on this record.[12]Stephen Thomas Erlewine agreed that Megadeth have abandoned some of the more experimental, progressive elements in their music.[13] Similarly, Chris Ayers ofExclaim! felt that withYouthanasia, the band "eroded their brilliant thrash to mid-paced chug".[14] According to the band's official website, "Youthanasia marked the continuing evolution of Megadeth, following the footsteps of their previous album."[15] Speaking about the stylistic direction of the album, then-guitaristMarty Friedman stated: "We pretty much stick to our guns. It's not like we're gonna change our next album to try and follow the trend. We don't really change with the times."[16] On the album's genre, Mustaine said: "It's been called a thrash album, it's been called a rock album, and it's even been called an alternative album. To me it can only be called a Megadeth album. That should be enough."[6]
The album was released on 1 November 1994 throughCapitol Records.[13] Promotion included the first official website for a band, "Megadeth, Arizona", described by its conceiver, Robin Sloan Bechtel, as “a virtual cybertown incyberspace" where fans gathered in anonline community that among other things offered news regarding Megadeth's new album.[17] A special promotional copy of the album was issued with an essay by suspense novelistDean Koontz entitled "Godzilla vs. Megadeth".[18] A remixed and remastered edition featuring several bonus tracks and detailed liner notes was reissued on July 27, 2004.[19]
Three singles were released fromYouthanasia: "Reckoning Day", "Train of Consequences" and "A Tout le Monde".[15] The latter would later be re-recorded withLacuna Coil vocalistCristina Scabbia under the title "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)". This version was also released as a single, and included onUnited Abominations (2007).[20]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 8/10[21] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B−[22] |
| Los Angeles Times | [23] |
| Metal Forces | 7.5/10[24] |
| Q | [11] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [25] |
| Sputnikmusic | [12] |
The album received positive reviews upon its release. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, reviewing the album forAllMusic, commented that, compared toCountdown to Extinction the album lacks focus. However, Erlewine suggested that the album's production quality made up for that. He also commented favorably on "Train of Consequences", calling out its "jackhammer riffs".[13] Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic reviewed the album positively. Though noting that the album, like its predecessor, was a distinct move away from the sound heard on 1990sRust in Peace, Stagno suggested that the lack of a fast-tempo is made up for by thecatchiness of the tracks.[12]
In a contemporary review,Q magazine wrote thatYouthanasia has "greater depth and breadth than its predecessors".[11] Tom Sinclair ofEntertainment Weekly gave a brief review of the album saying thatYouthanasia would "impress, but not impact".[22] Neil Arnold ofMetal Forces named the record "the last true Megadeth opus before the mid-to-late 90s slump". He further said that the album "pales" in comparison to the previous records, but still keeps the band in their element.[24] Paul Corio, in a retrospective review forRolling Stone, wrote that the album features "metal-machine music" that is "calibrated to kill". He highlighted "Elysian Fields" and "Victory" as examples of Mustaine in his prime.[26] Despite the outcry of some fans, Pete Prown calledYouthanasia "more than worthy follow-up" toCountdown to Extinction.[10] In 2014,Guitar World rankedYouthanasia at number 29 on their list of "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994".[27]
Youthanasia was commercially successful, debuting and peaking at number 4 on theBillboard 200, with 143,000 units sold in its first week.[28] This marked the band's second top five album, slightly below the number two peak ofCountdown to Extinction in 1992, and the band would only reach such a landmark again in 2016 withDystopia.[29][30] Several weeks after its release, the record was certifiedplatinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping one million copies in the United States.[31] The album also managed to enter into the top 10 in the United Kingdom[32] and some other European countries as well.[33] It eventually received a platinum certification fromMusic Canada and a silver award from theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 100,000 and 60,000 copies, respectively.[34][35] The singles "Train of Consequences" and "A Tout le Monde" both charted on theMainstream Rock Tracks chart.[29]
Megadeth toured heavily in support ofYouthanasia. They started the tour in November 1994, with live performances in South America.[36] The tour continued in 1995, with a number of opening acts such asKorn,Flotsam and Jetsam andFear Factory.[37] During this period Megadeth also visited Europe, where they stayed for eight weeks. Ellefson shared his impressions from performing in front of European fans: "So far, the audiences have been really good and it seems to me that heavy metal and especially Megadeth are very much at the forefront of music in Europe. It seems like the attendance is better than it has ever been".[5] The worldwide tour ended in September 1995, with the band performing atMonsters of Rock in South America withOzzy Osbourne andAlice Cooper as the headliners.[36]
In the middle of 1995, the band underwent changes on the business side. Manager Ron Lafitte was hired byEMI Records and essentially disbanded his management company. Megadeth later signed with ESP Management and hired Bud Prager, a previous manager ofForeigner andBad Company, to be the band's new creative manager. As with Max Norman before him, Prager would go on to be highly influential in shaping the direction of the band.[38] In an interview forHard Rock Examiner, Mustaine revealed that there was a possibility of Megadeth performing the album in its entirety in 2014, honoring the 20-year anniversary of the record's release.[39]
All tracks are written byDave Mustaine,David Ellefson,Marty Friedman andNick Menza.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Reckoning Day" | 4:34 |
| 2. | "Train of Consequences" | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Addicted to Chaos" | 5:26 |
| 4. | "A Tout le Monde" | 4:28 |
| 5. | "Elysian Fields" | 4:03 |
| 6. | "The Killing Road" | 3:57 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Blood of Heroes" | 3:57 |
| 8. | "Family Tree" | 4:07 |
| 9. | "Youthanasia" | 4:09 |
| 10. | "I Thought I Knew It All" | 3:44 |
| 11. | "Black Curtains" | 3:39 |
| 12. | "Victory" | 4:27 |
| Total length: | 49:57 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "A Crown of Worms" (demo version with alternate vocal melody) | 3:18 |
| 14. | "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" (live) | 6:57 |
| 15. | "Symphony of Destruction" (live) | 3:44 |
| 16. | "Sweating Bullets" (live) | 4:46 |
| Total length: | 68:42 | |
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Millennium of the Blind" | Mustaine |
| 2:15 |
| 14. | "New World Order" (demo) | 3:45 | ||
| 15. | "Absolution" (instrumental) |
| 3:27 | |
| 16. | "A Tout le Monde" (demo) | 6:20 | ||
| Total length: | 65:44 | |||
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[3][40]
|
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Chart (1994) | Single | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| USBillboardMainstream Rock Tracks[29] | "Train of Consequences" | 29 |
| UK Singles Chart[32] | 22 | |
| Chart (1995) | Single | Peak position |
| USBillboardMainstream Rock Tracks[29] | "A Tout le Monde" | 31 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina (CAPIF)[61] Release of 1994 | Gold | 30,000^ |
| Argentina (CAPIF)[61] Release of 2004 | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[34] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[62] | Gold | 20,216[62] |
| Japan (RIAJ)[63] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| Malaysia[64] | Platinum | 25,000[64] |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[35] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[31] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
