Megadeth Countdown to Extinction 12" Vinyl LP  Album

Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on 14 July 1992 through Capitol Records. The album was produced by Max Norman and was the first Megadeth album to feature drummer Nick Menza and bassist David Ellefson since 1987's So Far, So Good... So What!.

Countdown to Extinction was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1993.

The album's sound was a departure from Megadeth's previous albums, which were more aggressive and technical. Countdown to Extinction featured a more melodic and accessible sound, which helped the album to reach a wider audience. The album's lyrics were also more political and socially conscious than previous Megadeth albums.

The album spawned four singles: "Symphony of Destruction", "Sweating Bullets", "Foreclosure of a Dream", and "High Speed Dirt". All four singles were successful on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with "Symphony of Destruction" reaching number one.

Countdown to Extinction was a major success for Megadeth and helped to solidify their status as one of the leading heavy metal bands in the world. The album's success helped to introduce Megadeth to a new generation of fans and helped to pave the way for their future success.

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Album Production information:

Produced by Dave Mustaine and Max Norman

Dave Mustaine  ( full-name: David Scott Mustaine ) born 1961 in La Mesa, California. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist, and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Megadeth, which was formed in 1983. Mustaine is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the thrash metal genre and is considered a pioneer of the American thrash metal scene.

 Mustaine was originally a member of the band Metallica, but he was eventually fired from the band due to personal and musical differences. He went on to form Megadeth, which became one of the "big four" of the thrash metal genre along with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.

 Throughout his career, Mustaine has been recognized for his musical abilities and innovative style, and he has been awarded numerous accolades and awards, including several Grammy nominations. He is known for his fast and complex guitar playing, as well as his powerful vocals and distinctive songwriting.

 In addition to his work with Megadeth, Mustaine has been involved in various other musical projects and has collaborated with a number of other musicians. He is also a published author and has been involved in various business ventures and charitable causes throughout his career.

Max "On Yer Bike" Norman - Producer, Sound Engineer

  Max Norman (aka Max "On Yer Bike" Norman) a British record producer and recording engineer active from 1973. He produced many acclaimed heavy metal releases. Some of the bands he worked with include: 220 Volt, Dead On, Armored Saint , Fates Warning , Grim Reaper, Loudness , Lizzy Borden, Malice, Ozzy Osbourne, Savatage and many others.

Fred Kelly Jr. - Sound Engineer

Micajah Ryan - Sound Engineer

Hugh Syme - Album artwork

  Hugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist and member of the Premier Artists Collection (PAC) who is best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has appeared in some Rush songs as a keyboard player. Syme is notably responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress of Steel as well as creating Rush's famous Starman logo.

 Iron Maiden fans remember him best as the designer of The X Factor cover, which shows the band's mascot Eddie the Head dissected. It is remembered for its gritty realism. Whereas all previous Maiden albums were oil paintings, the X Factor Eddie was a puppet with some digital touch-ups to enhance its look. In some countries the cover was considered so gruesome that a less gory alternative was offered (the alternative cover is actually the back of the original CD booklet)

 Collectors may wish to collect his complete oeuvre of album covers.

John Taylor Dismukes - Illustration

Tommy Steele - Design

Cameron Wong - Photography

Chris Cufarro - Photography

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Band Members and Musicians on: Megadeth Countdown to Extinction

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Dave Mustaine - lead & rhythm guitar, lead vocals
• Marty Friedman - lead, rhythm & acoustic guitar, backing vocals

    Marty Friedman ( full-name: Martin Adam Friedman ) an American Guitarist, Musician and Music Producer. During the 1980s he has performed with the bands Hawaii, Shout, Cacophony and in the 1990s he was lead guitarist with Megadeth.

• Nick Menza - drums, backing vocals
• David Ellefson - bass guitars, backing vocals

  Dave Ellefson ( full-name: David Warren Ellefson ) a highly respected and accomplished musician who has made significant contributions to the world of heavy metal music. As a bassist, songwriter, and founding member of the legendary thrash metal band Megadeth, Ellefson has left an indelible mark on the genre, influencing countless musicians and fans alike.

 Born in Jackson, Minnesota in 1964, Ellefson began playing bass at the age of 11. He was heavily influenced by hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Kiss, and Judas Priest, and began playing in local bands during his teenage years. In the early 1980s, Ellefson moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music, and it was there that he met guitarist Dave Mustaine, who was forming a new band after being fired from Metallica.

 Ellefson and Mustaine formed Megadeth in 1983, and the band quickly established itself as a major force in the thrash metal scene. Ellefson's aggressive, intricate bass lines and tight rhythmic sense helped define the band's sound, and his songwriting contributions were crucial to the success of many of the band's most iconic songs, including "Peace Sells," "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due," and "In My Darkest Hour."

 Throughout Megadeth's early years, Ellefson and Mustaine were the band's driving creative force, with Ellefson playing a key role in the songwriting and production of the band's early albums. However, in 2002, Ellefson left the band following a falling out with Mustaine. He went on to form several other musical projects, including the band F5 and the group Temple of Brutality, and also pursued a career as a solo artist and producer.

 In 2010, Ellefson rejoined Megadeth, and has remained a vital part of the band ever since. In addition to his work with Megadeth, Ellefson has continued to pursue a wide range of musical projects, including collaborations with other artists and his own solo work. He is also an accomplished author, having published a memoir entitled "My Life with Deth: Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock and Roll" in 2013.

 In addition to his contributions to the world of heavy metal music, Ellefson is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of education and music therapy. He has established several charitable organizations, including the Ellefson Youth Music Foundation, which provides music education programs for children and young adults.

Track Listing of: Megadeth Countdown to Extinction

The Song/tracks on "Megadeth Countdown to Extinction" are

• Skin o' My Teeth - 3:14
• Symphony of Destruction - 4:02
• Architecture of Aggression - 3:34
• Foreclosure of a Dream - 4:17
• Sweating Bullets - 5:03
• This Was My Life - 3:42
• Countdown to Extinction - 4:16
• High Speed Dirt - 4:12
• Psychotron - 4:42
• Captive Honour - 4:14
• Ashes in Your Mouth - 6:10

Album cover photos of : Megadeth Countdown to Extinction

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).