Michael Wagener is the German-born producer/engineer who taught heavy guitars to sound huge without turning into soup. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s he helped shape Accept's steel-plate punch, then in the 1980s Los Angeles grind he became a go-to set of ears for Dokken—tight, glossy, and still mean. By the late 1980s he was guiding arena-sized hard rock for Skid Row and White Lion, and in the 1990s he kept that balance of bite and clarity alive for bands like Extreme. I can spot his signature fast: drums snapping, guitars spread wide, and reverb kept on a short leash. From his WireWorld room in Tennessee, he mixes like a craftsman: edges sharp, low end disciplined, vocals sitting just forward enough to start trouble.
"So Far, So Good, So What" Album Description:
Megadeth's "So Far, So Good, So What" 12" vinyl LP album was released on 19 January 1988, on Combat Records. The Canadian release of the album features a slightly different track listing than the US version, and has become a sought-after collector's item for fans of the thrash metal genre.
The album artwork features a menacing figure on the front cover, with a backdrop of flames and destruction. The figure, which appears to be a combination of a demon and a human, holds a large gun in its hand. The artwork sets the tone for the album, which explores themes of violence, war, and political corruption.
The Canadian release of "So Far, So Good, So What" features eight tracks, including the singles "In My Darkest Hour" and "Hook in Mouth". The album features the classic Megadeth lineup of Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitar, David Ellefson on bass, Jeff Young on guitar, and Chuck Behler on drums. The album showcases the band's technical skills, with fast guitar riffs, complex drumming, and Mustaine's signature vocals.
The Canadian release of "So Far, So Good, So What" features a slightly different track listing than the US version. The album opens with the track "Into the Lungs of Hell," which features a guitar instrumental that leads into the second track, "Set the World Afire".
The lyrics on "So Far, So Good, So What" deal with a range of dark and controversial topics, including war, drug addiction, and political corruption. The track "In My Darkest Hour" is a tribute to late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, and features lyrics such as "In my hour of need / Ha, you're not there / And though I reached out for you / Wouldn't lend a hand". The track "Hook in Mouth" deals with the topic of censorship, with lyrics such as "Got your degree in philosophy / And now you're lecturing me / You're trying to make me feel like a fool / Until I prove you wrong".
"So Far, So Good, So What" has become a classic of the thrash metal genre and has been praised by fans and critics alike. The album's intense and complex musical content, combined with its controversial lyrics and artwork, have cemented its place in the history of heavy metal. The Canadian release of the album is a rare and sought-after collector's item for fans of Megadeth and thrash metal.
