Icon
Megadeth · 2014
51 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and politically charged lyrics delivers Megadeth's signature thrash metal sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Holy Wars… The Punishment Due Start here — This track opens the album with its intricate guitar work and complex themes about war and religion, showcasing Megadeth's lyrical depth and musical prowess.
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Symphony of Destruction — As one of Megadeth's most recognizable songs, it blends catchy melodies with sharp political commentary, exemplifying the band's ability to merge accessibility with substance.
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À tout le monde — This song highlights Megadeth's emotional range, featuring poignant lyrics about farewell and loss, which resonate deeply with fans while maintaining their signature heavy sound.
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Peace Sells — An anthem of disillusionment, this track is a quintessential representation of Megadeth's socio-political messaging paired with aggressive instrumentals that define their style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
A solid compilation that highlights Megadeth's thrash roots but lacks the cohesive flow of an original album.
What we noticed
- The lyrical themes across the tracks often address political issues, adding a layer of depth to the otherwise high-energy instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- politically charged lyrical themes
- intense waves of instrumentation
- headbanging anthems for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer mellow, soothing sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Compilation album highlighting impactful tracks; not a primary studio release.
- Themes
- political disillusionment· societal critique· melodic farewells
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Icon marks a compilation of Megadeth's most impactful tracks from their extensive catalog, celebrating their legacy as pioneers in thrash metal. By this time, the band had endured lineup changes and faced various challenges, yet they remained a defining force in the genre.
Tracklist
- 1 Holy Wars… The Punishment Due Start here 6:35
- 2 Symphony of Destruction 4:04
- 3 Wake Up Dead 3:38
- 4 Trust 5:13
- 5 Hangar 18 5:13
- 6 Sweating Bullets 5:04
- 7 À tout le monde 4:32
- 8 Skin o’ My Teeth 3:16
- 9 In My Darkest Hour 6:20
- 10 Kill the King 3:44
- 11 Peace Sells 4:04
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Master of Puppets
Metallica
Features intricate riffs and explores themes of control and societal issues, similar to Megadeth's approach.
Reign in Blood
Slayer
Shares relentless speed and intensity with politically charged lyrics reflecting disillusionment.
Among the Living
Anthrax
Combines melodic thrash elements with social commentary, resonating with Megadeth's lyrical focus.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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