Risk

by Megadeth

Overview

The world of metal has recently undergone drastic changes, redefining itself to accommodate the rap-rock crossover success of Korn and the punk-grunge dirge-rock of Sevendust. But Megadeth remain a satisfying force for metalheads who haven't forgotten the heyday of unfettered, undiluted speed-sludge. CRYPTIC WRITINGS, from 1997, sold surprisingly well, and while the appeal of the band's followup, RISK, is not as immediate, it rawks with the dark, musically dense intensity we've come to expect from frontman Dave Mustaine and axe-grinder Dave Ellefson. The best things here are the supercharged yet sweet "Breadline" and the flailing "Time: The End." Sure, these seasoned road warriors aren't doing a whole lot of innovating, but the fun of listening to RISK lies in hearing Megadeth continue to rock out with politically aware, musically progressive metal as they move into middle age. They may be doing this when they're 55, and if so, more power to 'em.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/11/1999
Label:	Emi Europe Generic
UPC:	0724357987820
catalogNumber:	579878
Rank:	61806

Tracks

1. Insomnia
2. Prince of Darkness
3. Enter the Arena
4. Crush 'Em
5. Breadline
6. The Doctor Is Calling
7. I'll Be There
8. Wanderlust
9. Ecstasy
10. Seven
11. Time: The Beginning
12. Time: The End
13. Insomnia
14. Breadline
15. Crush 'Em
16. [CD-ROM Track]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Megadeth   Primary Artist
Marty Friedman   Acoustic Guitar,Rhythm Guitar,Background Vocals,Group Member
David Ellefson   Electric Bass,Bass Guitar,Background Vocals,Group Member
Dave Mustaine   Guitar,Rhythm Guitar,Vocals,Group Member
Jimmy DeGrasso   Drums,Group Member

Technical Credits

Marty Friedman   Composer
Jeff Balding   Engineer
David Ellefson   Composer
Dann Huff   Producer
Dave Mustaine   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Liner Notes
Ralph Patlan   Engineer
Bud Prager   Composer
Tommy Steele   Art Direction
Shannon Ward   Art Direction
Bo Caldwell   Artwork
Kevin Lefebvre   Artwork
Dave McRobb   Artwork
Prager   Composer,Lyricist
Friedman   Composer
Michael Müller   Artwork

Editorial Reviews

In many ways, Megadeth's career trajectory has run parallel to Metallica's; both bands started out as speed-metal outfits, then broadened into technically adept progressive thrash, and in the early '90s, streamlined and slowed down their songs for mass-market acceptance. While that mainstreaming process was initially viewed as both commercially and artistically successful, it also meant that neither band represented heavy metal's cutting edge any longer. As MTV combined its appetite for new trends with decreased music programming, Megadeth found themselves unable to rely on it or a cultish underground fan base to promote their music. So, they began to concentrate on a medium that had all but ignored them during the '80s: album-rock radio. Certainly, radio had become more willing to accept their music as time passed, and Megadeth cultivated that more conservative audience with polished production and reduced fury. And that's what they continued to do with 1999's Risk. To their credit, Megadeth never went as far as trying to reshape their sound around AOR's rampant '70s worship, so even if their music lost a good deal of its danger and excitement, it has aged gracefully (something that can't always be said of Metallica's '90s output). Risk is not much of a departure from its two predecessors; more reflective, melodic, and conventional than the Megadeth of old, it delivers a well-played set of hard rock tunes suitable for metal and AOR fans alike. Some of those tunes are catchier than others, and they're enough to carry the album if you're a fan of this style. Even if the album's title is a misnomer, it's startling to see Megadeth still around -- and still successful.

All Music Guide - Steve Huey