What makes Public Enemy No. 1 by Megadeth notable?

'Public Enemy No. 1' received positive reviews for its sharp lyrics and relentless energy, highlighting Megadeth's enduring influence in metal music. The single showcased the band's ability to engage with contemporary themes, resonating with both older fans and new listeners, contributing to a resurgence in their popularity. Released in 2011, 'Public Enemy No. 1' marked Megadeth's return to form after a brief hiatus and followed their 2009 album 'Endgame'. At this stage, the band was revitalizing their sound while celebrating their legacy within the thrash metal genre.

How many songs are on Public Enemy No. 1?

Public Enemy No. 1 has 1 track, running approximately 4 minutes.

Public Enemy No. 1

Megadeth · 2011

4 min · 1 track · heavy metal

Frenetic guitar riffs and aggressive vocals propel this heavy metal anthem into a high-octane exploration of societal chaos.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Public Enemy No. 1 — This title track exemplifies the album's thematic focus on societal issues through a lens of aggression and rebellion, encapsulating Megadeth's signature style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong composition and craft, with a clear thematic focus but limited depth due to its single format.

What we noticed

The track features rapid-fire guitar solos interspersed with aggressive vocal lines, creating a sense of urgency.
The song structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, but the tempo remains consistently fast throughout.
Lyrically, the song addresses themes of societal chaos and conflict, using sharp imagery to convey its message.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — 'Public Enemy No. 1' marked a return to form, showcasing the band's revitalized sound and gaining attention.
Themes: political unrest· government corruption· military-industrial complex
Career context: Released in 2011, 'Public Enemy No. 1' marked Megadeth's return to form after a brief hiatus and followed their 2009 album 'Endgame'. At this stage, the band was revitalizing their sound while celebrating their legacy within the thrash metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Metallica· Slayer· Anthrax