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Celebrating the Anniversary of Megadeth’s “Countdown to Extinction”

Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by thrash metal band Megadeth, released on July 14, 1992 by Capitol Records. It was the group’s second studio release to feature…

"Countdown to Extinction" helped Megadeath grow as a prominent thrash-metal band, and it celebrates its anniversary on July 14.
Brent Porche

Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by thrash metal band Megadeth, released on July 14, 1992 by Capitol Records.

It was the group's second studio release to feature the "classic" lineup of Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, David Ellefson and Nick Menza. All four of them contributing to the songwriting.

The album features some of the band's biggest and best-known songs such as "Symphony of Destruction," "Sweating Bullets," and "Skin o' My Teeth," which enjoyed significant chart success and exposure on MTV.

The front cover from Megadeth's 20th anniversary edition of Countdown to ExtinctionBrent Porche

Countdown to Extinction

Countdown to Extinction was a critical and commercial success. It reached number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US, selling well over 2 million copies worldwide. It was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA.

Critics praised the album for its more accessible sound, which helped Megadeth reach a wider, mainstream audience. However, some fans of the band's earlier, more aggressive material called the album polished.

In addition to Dave Mustaine, Countdown to Extinction was produced by Max Norman.

The album's sound was a departure from Megadeth's earlier work, with a greater emphasis on melody and groove. The lyrics on the album deal with a variety of topics, including war, environmentalism, and social injustice.

Megadeath also supported it with a successful world tour, which included a performance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Moscow.

Countdown to Extinction helped to establish Megadeth as one of the most popular and influential metal bands in the world. Many consider it one of the greatest thrash metal albums of all time.

Track listing from Megadeth's 20th anniversary edition of Countdown to ExtinctionBrent Porche

In 2012, in recognition of the album’s 20th anniversary, Megadeth released a special, deluxe edition of the album that included a full, live concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California from December 4, 1992. A 180-gram 2LP vinyl version was also released as part of the 20th anniversary of the album.

Insert cards from Megadeth's 20th anniversary edition of Countdown to ExtinctionBrent Porche

Megadeth is currently out on the road on their “Crush The World” tour with Biohazard.

They have stops at Hollywood Casino in Grantville, PA on September 15th and at the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City on September 17.

The back cover of the deluxe edition of Megadeth's 20th anniversary edition of Countdown to ExtinctionBrent Porche

Listen To Brent Porche Weekdays From 3pm-7pm On WMMR


Catch Brent Porche on-air and online weekdays between 3PM – 7PM on WMMR. Brent loves to celebrate important musical anniversaries and milestones on my show, especially on Double Shot Tuesdays! He is honored to continue to the legacy of ‘MMR’s Local Shots Artist of the Month feature every Wednesday on-air at 6:30pm and via the Local Shots Headquarters page online, anytime at WMMR.com.