Megadeth VS Metallica [Once And For All]

Metallica. Megadeth. Both bands have dominated the musical genre of hard rock and thrash metal for over 30 years. Some of us prefer the thrashers that are Metallica, and others prefer the Dave Mustaine-driven metal-mania that is Megadeth. Both bands have influenced generations of musicians since their inception in the 1980’s, but without question one band stands tall above the other.

But is it all because of mainstream media? Or was it because the foundation of the succesful band was laid out by the father of the lesser succesful band.

Lets take a look at the juicyness that is this concept.

Metallica is the industry standard that a lot of the newer bands, and even some of the seasoned veterans of rock still try to live up to to this day.

In my research though, it seems that they got a very big headstart by Dave Mustaine laying out the foundation for the years to come.

When it comes down to "Who is the better band", there are a lot of things to consider.

Commercial success is only one factor in a large platter of things that go into what makes a band "better" than another.

Yes Metallica has had much more commercial success, and I will admit... growing up I didnt even know who Megadeth even was.

Im sure I had heard their music here and their but I wouldnt have been able to tell you who it was.

Here is a list of some of both bands stop commercial selling songs, mixed with some personal favorites I beleive are underrated. Credit Tom Stretch

Megadeth

Mechanix

Wake up dead

Peace sells

My last words

In my darkest hour

Hangar 18

Five magics

Tornado of souls

Rust in peace

Tout le monde

Archetecture of aggression

Foreclosure of a dream

99 ways to die

Sweating bullets

Trust

She wolf

Prince of darkness

Dread and the fugitive mind

Gears of War

Poisonous shadows

Metallica

Hit the lights

Four horsemen

Jump in the fire

Anesthesia

Seek and destroy

For whom the bell tolls

Trapped under ice

Creeping death

Master of puppets

Welcome home

Leper messiah

Orion

One Harvester of sorrow

To live is to die

Sad but true

Wherever I may roam

Through the never

The god that failed

The struggle within

The race for most albums sold is not even close: Metallica outsells Megadeth at a ratio of over 2 to 1. With Megadeth’s 50 million records sold, to Metallica’s over 100 million sold, this race was doomed from the start... But it is a category not without controversy.

There are many songs that Metallica has released the Mustaine has claimed to have either written or inspired. For whome the bell tolls is a perfect example, and was a huge contributing factor as to why Mustaine felt betrayed by fellow rocker Hetfield.

When it comes down to it, if you are a musician I know you will agree, it is no secret that Mustaine is the better guitar player, and had way more talented musicians work on his albums.

But when it came to mainstream success, it seems Megadeth got the short end of the rope as they were always chasing after Metallica's reign.

Lets compare the two lead guitar players, Mustaine and Hammett

Mustaine is known for his fast paced, mind melting riffs with a very melodic appeal.

Hammett is known for his melodic easy to hear solos that drive the track and make you feel the intent behind the notes.

BUT!

Mustaine can also be very melodic and at times, even more so that Hammett himself.

Mustaine

Hammett

As you can see, if you are a fellow guitar player that is..

Hammett relies on a lot of repetitive riffs and as nice and sexy as they sound being played live along with thrashing drums and bass... there is reaaaallly that much talent involved in what he is doing, see the 3:15 mark of the video above and you will see what I mean.

Meanwhile, in Megadeth land, you can hear a broad range of melodic minor scales, and sexy transitions between parts and key changes.

It's just so clearly more technical and talent drivin than Hammetts performance.

Arguing the more talented group is a no go, Mustaine and his crew without a doubt outplay Metallica.

But when it comes to writing songs that the masses will enjoy that can very easily be replicated live, the award goes to Metallica.

Myself and many of my friends and colleagues agree that had Mustaine not been a founding member of Metallica, Megadeth would have been the more popular band.

Its just that because Metallica had such a headstart, Megadeth was always living.. and playing in their shadows and just weren't able to catch up and dominate.

References:

http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/related_metallica.html

http://youtu.be/oF7pBOcWn5A

http://youtu.be/4qEnFuFquaY

#info #bands #comparison