Rude Awakening

by Megadeth

Product Description:

Megadeth: Dave Mustaine (vocals, guitar); Al Pitrelli (guitar); David Ellefson (bass); Jimmy DeGrasso (drums).

As forefathers of speed metal, it is a wonder that it took Megadeth 17 years to release a live album. Interest in the band has seen a resurgence, due in part to Dave Mustaine and company's return to form with 2001's THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO. Plans to record RUDE AWAKENING in Argentina had to be rethought (and switched to Arizona) as a result of the tragic events of September 11th. Metallist skeptics who mourned the super-technical vacancies left by Nick Menza and Marty Friedman (often touted as the strongest Megadeth drummer and guitarist respectively) will find their doubts squashed by guitarist Al Pitrelli (Savatage/Widowmaker) and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper), both formidable live players.

All the musical signposts in Megadeth's history are acknowledged, from KILLING IS MY BUSINESS up to and including their more recent studio offerings. The production captures the raw yet refined essence of Megadeth that keeps them a viable force in metal. If new fans find a striking resemblance between songs such as "1,000 Times Goodbye," the more obvious "Mechanix," and early Metallica, they should remember Mustaine's influence as a founding member of that group; for it is the stuff of legend.