This review is for UK edition of the single, that features 2 studio tracks together with the main program, plus interesting die-cut cardboard cover (showing some of the yellow CD).

'Symphony of Destruction' became Megadeth's 'Enter Sandman'; absolutely massive amount of radio play, as well as music video spinning, appearing in video games, and playing in rock clubs. Heavy stop-and-go riffing which gets looser as the song proceeds and also presented are some nice harmonies plus hummable guitar solo, sturdy rhythm section pulsing with robust bass guitar and loud drums. Everything in almost machiney, robotic, in perfect sync. Dave Mustaine has a very nasal voice, but he had learned some singing, but lost some snarl and bite. The band presented 1992's 'Countdown to Extinction' album with this piece. It was still technical, yet speed metal was gone, and the song is a mid-paced bruiser, and it's a straight one. The song is strong, and despite of countless times of hearing it, it still rocks!

'Breakpoint' is like a bridge between the previous album, 'Rust in Peace' from 1994, and 'CtE'. It features some shredding guitar playing and swift fretboard runs, but also this new-found looseness. The song is catchy with some insane tempo changes and loads of lead bits and soloing, resulting in quite a bit of turns in a song lasting for 3½ minutes. Pretty excellent, this! More excellence follows with 'Go to Hell'. The song first appeared on "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" movie soundtrack in 1991. It's more in 'RiP' style, showing tempo changes, shredding guitar playing and general badd-assiness. These two extras appeared on 1995's 'Hidden Treasures' compilation. It was sold for the price of a full CD album, which I did not like at all for its 6 songs appearing on variety of movie soundtracks, 'Paranoid' on a Black Sabbath tribute album, and one new Sex Pistols cover song.

This is a cool single due for the fact that this has only studio songs on it, and not live versions like some other editions of this single do. The live recordings just don't often do it for me (but hey, the real collector's want everything). It also has a neat packaging. The title track was new Megadeth, and too simplistic for some. However, it still became a classic and opened new doors for the band.

P.S. 'SoD' video is rather political one, and was also banned in some channels. 'GtH' video... I guess the band wouldn't do anthing like it anymore, hah!

Rating: 8 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/15/2021 18:31