MEGADETH — Last Rites (review)

MEGADETH — Last Rites album cover Demo · 1984 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Last Rites" is the first demo recording by US, California based thrash metal act Megadeth. The demo was independently released in March 1984. After lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine´s departure from Metallica in April 1983 while in New York to record (he was unceremoniously fired because of his alcohol/drug abuse and irratic behaviour), Mustaine went back to California and formed the short-lived Fallen Angels. When he met bassist David Ellefson and realised that they couldn´t find a lead vocalist, Mustaine took up the vocal duties himself and about the same time the band name was changed to Megadeth. On this demo Megadeth is a trio completed by drummer Lee Rausch. Rausch left soon after and was replaced by Gar Samuelson and with the addition of guitarist Chris Poland the first stable lineup of Megadeth was born.

...but that´s getting ahead of the story. Stylistically the three tracks on the 11:26 minutes long demo are harsh, raw, and aggressive thrash/speed metal compositions, which all ended up in re-recorded versions of Megadeth´s June 1985 debut full-length studio album "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!". "Rattlehead" was also recorded during the same demo recording sessions at Hitman Studios in Hollywood, California, but was never officially released. That song was also re-recorded and included on "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!". So there´s nothing on "Last Rites" you haven´t heard before if you already own "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!", other than raw demo versions of tracks which appear on the debut album.

There´s certainly promise here and while Mustaine is a pretty unconventional thrash metal singer, his snarling approach provides Megadeth´s music with something unique. "Last Rites" features a decent although rough around the edges sound production, which suits the material well. For a 1984 thrash metal demo this is pretty well produced. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Falling From Grace Metalcore
SECONDHAND SAINTS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Letter Bombs Crossover Thrash
W70
Buy this album from MMA partners
Man Of The Mountain Doom Metal
MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Warts​-​N-​All Live From Brews And Cues Doom Metal
MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Darkest Red Melodic Metalcore
LOYALTY ENDS HERE
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

LOYALTY ENDS HERE - Deadweight (Official Video)
LOYALTY ENDS HERE
Bosh66· 17 hours ago
LOYALTY ENDS HERE - Testament (Official Video)
LOYALTY ENDS HERE
Bosh66· 17 hours ago
CRAZY GRIZZLY - PARALLAX Feat RIKO AGUS [Official Music Video]
CRAZY GRIZZLY
Bosh66· 2 days ago
CRAZY GRIZZLY - ASPERSION Feat BEARFOURS [Official Music Video]
CRAZY GRIZZLY
Bosh66· 2 days ago
CRAZY GRIZZLY - TERRA LUNA [Official Music Video]
CRAZY GRIZZLY
Bosh66· 2 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed