Album Review: Megadeth – Warheads on Foreheads

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We don’t cover compilation albums on Moshville Times as a vague rule, but this is Megadeth so we’ll make an exception. Dave, Dave and mates celebrate 35 years of Megadeth with 35 tracks across three discs covering their entire career. So how does it weigh up?

In terms of packaging it’s very nice with the digital format being accompanied by 3xCD gatefold or a deluxe 4 x vinyl box set. However, it’s the songs being presented that most people will be interested in.

Something that’s very apparent by a quick glance at the chronological list of tracks is that it’s very heavy on material from the early years, with the more recent releases having far less of an influence. And this is fine. It’s representative of Megadeth’s history in terms of when they were at their best, though the highlights of recent years are present and correct.

Let’s look at the balance:

  • Killing Is My Business – 3 tracks
  • Peace Sells – 4 tracks
  • SFSGSW – 2 tracks
  • Rust in Peace – 6 tracks
  • Countdown – 3 tracks
  • Last Action Hero soundtrack – 1 track
  • Youthanasia – 3 tracks
  • Trust – 2 tracks
  • Risk – 1 track
  • The World Needs a Hero – 1 track
  • The System Has Failed – 1 track
  • United Abominations – 1 track
  • Endgame – 1 track
  • Thirteen – 1 track
  • Super Collider – 1 track
  • Dystopia – 4 tracks

Other than the fact that I would include pretty much every track from their first six albums, this ratio is an honest one. Every studio album gets an outing (plus one soundtrack, though I’d have liked “Go To Hell” from Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey included seeing as Last Action Hero gets a nod), and with an appropriate balance given the quality of the release. They’ve also almost nailed the “best” tracks from each album. Though, as I said, with the earlier LPs that’s far more difficult as they’re far better.

As with Megadeth’s history, it starts strong, gets stronger, then tails off… until we get to Dystopia where it all comes back to life again.

This is an honest compilation. While the weaker albums only field a single track, at least they have pulled a decent one out for each. Warheads on Foreheads is a genuinely well-thought out compilation which would be worth buying for someone who doesn’t already have all the albums. If they want to see the band live sometime, then the setlist will largely be culled from this collection.

However… I’d still say you’d be best off spending a bit more and buying all six albums from Killing to Youthanasia, then chucking Dystopia into your basket as well. You’ll get more tracks and all of the good stuff (minus the soundtrack songs).

Warheads On Foreheads is released on 22nd March in a variety of formats

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