As anyone that has kept up with the comments section of the HBB Blog surely knows, Deicide obliterated As I Lay Dying in last week's good vs. evil edition of Who Rocks Harder? Later, we'll feature a block by Glen Benton and Co. to celebrate the slaughter. But for now, we've got a more traditional match up for you -- Metallica Vs. Megadeth -- a heavy metal rivalry to equal Tupac Vs. Biggie (only without the drive-by shootings).
In their prime (1983 - 1991), Metallica were untouchable. The band pioneered thrash in an era of hair metal, then rose to the top of the heavy metal hierarchy through a combination of stellar songwriting, uncompromising perseverance and incredible live shows. 1983's Kill 'Em All was a landmark recording, combining the metallic edge of Judas Priest and other groups from the new wave of British heavy metal with the speed and aggression of hardcore. It didn't just raise the bar for metal, it forged the furnace for thrash, and without it, Slayer, Exodus and Anthrax might have had entirely different sounds.
In fact, Metallica first four albums feature some of the best and most influential metal ever recorded, and their fifth record, 1991's far more commercial "Black Album," sold over 14 million copies, making it one of the most popular rock albums of all time.
It would be pretty near impossible to top that, so Metallica didn't even try. Instead, they headed off in new sonic directions. And while the metal world hasn't universally praised 1996's more experimental and groove-saturated Load or 1997's similarly structured Reload -- not to mention the largely reviled 2003 album St. Anger, Metallica still destroy live, and many fans are hopeful that the band's next record will be a return to their former glory.
Few metal bands can compete with Metallica in terms of global popularity, however when it comes to metallic cred Megadeth certainly have a shot. In part, that's because Metallica and Megadeth started in the same place -- literally. As everyone knows, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine was a co-founder of Metallica, but was booted from the band for being a belligerent drunk before Metallica recorded their 1983 debut Kill 'Em All.
In less than two years, Mustaine bounced back and released the first album by his new band Megadeth, Killing is my Business... And Business is Good. The album was jazzy and technical, and established Mustaine as more than "the guy who was booted from Metallica." Megadeth's 1986 follow-up, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? was even more impressive -- simultaneously catchier and heavier without being less complex. It's this musical proficiency and commercial appeal that propelled Megadeth through their next three albums, culminating with 1992's Countdown to Extinction.
But around the same time as Metallica were struggling to find a new creative path, Megadeth made some similarly questionable career moves. Striving for a broader audience, the band started writing poppier, less challenging tunes that paled in power to their earlier output. The band's St. Anger. was 1999's Risk, which, in an effort to keep up with the times, featured an abundance of misguided electronic and alternative rock arrangements. But while Metallica haven't yet bounced back in the eyes of many metalheads, Megadeth have clearly made amends for their past, cranking out a succession of increasingly thrashy post-Risk albums that culminated with 2007's United Abominations.
Place your vote in the comments box bellow. This could be a close one.
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