megadeth

[bleedinghero]

megadeth is one of my all time favorite metal bands. dave mustaine, the lead singer and principal guitarist, has made a come-back that makes the dismal failure of metallica's st. anger complete. their latest album "the System Has Failed" is brilliant. anyone who is a fan of megadeth will probably agree with me on this. they've been pretty lame for the past few years, being too commercial and losing their famed speed metal touch which frontman mustaine practically poineered. but now he's back with a fresh line up and the new album is just awesome.

i mention this because dave mustaine is a Christian. he got saved two years ago and has open about his faith ever since. if one listens to The System Has Failed you'll hear some spiritual touches here and there. one song is actually the 23rd psalm intermingled with an instrumental. the track Truth Be Told is interesting, with references to the first death in the world (cain and abel) and what that means for us; Die Dead Enough could mean anything i guess but i'm sensing mustaine is singing about sin and what it's like to struggle with a jeckyl and hyde persona.

in the world of metal mustaine is a genius. megadeth have always been my fave thrash metal band. i find it extra cool that he's created a megadeth album that hints at his faith in ways that are fairly unique (to me at least) i.e. he doesnt blatantly talk about christianity and while his lyrics still sound "angry" somehow theres this depth, a spiritual depth to it all.

maybe i'm just high on the raw sound of their new album. just wanna share. for megadeth fans here, i highly recommend The System Has Failed (if you havent gone and bought it already!)

dan
Petra 1

[executioner]

The 2 albums that I am partial to would be Cryptic Writings and Risk. Is this what the new material sounds like? I could never really get into their other stuff. I guess I'm not a thrash metal type of person. Let me know, because I'll be interested in buying it.

[spottacus]

I just hope that Mustaine isn't a Christian in the same way that Dee Snyder and Bono are Christians. You know, crude and profane and irreverent.

I'll give the new album a listen. I've always been a thrash fan.

[petrafan]

whoa, now Dee Snyder is a christian too?
lol
as for U2... maybe they have a christian backgroun, maybe they even attend church but... why should we be glad with those facts when we know being a christian is not being born in a christian-church-goers environment and keeping doing that when you are a grown up, is part of a super rock band and is not on tour?

[bleedinghero]

the latest album is kind of a combination of all their other stuff. it reminds me of the angst of Rust in Peace and the thrash power of Countdown to Extinction but has the catchy harmonies of Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, and Risk. megadeth's last few albums were a let down in the sense that they werent as powerful as what the band can do (and is expected to do i guess) although they had their moments.

The System Has Failed is fast, heavy, and loaded with terrifying solos. mustaine is back in top form. the lyrics are mature and honest. from Die Dead Enough:

"Oh, I can't punch hard enough and I run
I can't kick high enough and I run
I can't shoot straight enough and I run
I can't hold on enough and I run
Oh, I can't stay down enough and I run
I can't take pain enough and I run
I can't bleed fast enough
I can't die dead enough

I don't know what I'm running from
And I don't know where I'm running to
There's something deep and strange inside of me I see

I don't know what I'm running from
And I don't know where I'm running to
Something's compelling me to run into the dark"

i dont want to read too much into it but it sounds like what Paul was trying to explain in Romans, the deal about struggling with sin, doing what i dont want to do etc.

as for mustaine being a christian, when he first opened up about it he was derided by pantera's philip anselmo as being a "*expletive* coward". that hasnt phased mustaine. he had christian guitarist dan huff produce Cryptic Writings (and another album i think) and recently he hooked up with Christian band Pillar to record a song.

i read an interview excerpt where he talks about his faith and how it's helped him through dark times, especially his hand injury that almost prevented him from playing again. i can't say he's the most mature christian - he blasted metallica's lars ulrich for saying that he (lars) invented metal. "metal invented you" was mustaine's retort.

he also has said something to the effect that he's not here to preach or force religion down anyone's throat. i cant remember what else he talked about except that he struck me as a rough-around-the-edges type christian, someone who needs to grow spiritually a bit more perhaps?

then again, who am i to judge mustaine and his level of spiritual growth?

anyways, the latest album rocks hard and for anyone who wants a good dose of guitar playing, check it out. i know this is the petrazone (and there's probably another section here where i should talk about things that have nothing to do with petra) so sorry for taking up space about megadeth. i've said my two cents. cheers!

[St. Augustine's Pears]

Hmmm...interesting topic...Megadeth.

Have to admit...back in high school, Megadeth was one of my favorites. I mostly listened to "hair metal" bands at the time (hey, I was living in a small rural Iowa town in the '80s...cut me some slack!), but Megadeth albums were mixed in with my Def Leppard, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Quiet Riot, etc. I had KILLING IS MY BUSINESS...PEACE SELLS...and my favorite 'Deth album, SO FAR, SO GOOD, SO WHAT!. By the way, 'Deth's "In My Darkest Hour" kills Metallica's "Fade to Black". Anyway, where were we? Oh yes...

I do believe Dave Mustaine falls into the catagory of "lip-service Christians"...along the same lines as Bono, Dee Snider, and Scott Stapp. It's easy for anyone to say, "I'm a Christian"...but like the bible says...by their fruits you shall know them.

If Dave Mustaine is a Christian...why does he still play his older, more darker (and yes, borderline satanic) material in concert?

Why does he go thru band members like used Kleenex, and have acrimonious relationships with these same ex-bandmates? (Dave has a well-deserved reputation of having a "my way or the highway" attitude.)

Why, on his latest tour, is he taking out the secular thrash band EXODUS as the opening act? (Don't fall for the band name...EXODUS is nowhere near a "Christian" band)

Why don't we hear of Mustaine doing any sort of "Christian works" as a music celebrity? (I mean, even the secular hard-rock band KISS has organized food drives, and Gene Simmons is as close to being a Christian as I am to being the king of England!). And no, promoting his new album and tour is not considered evangelizing.

Sorry...but Dave Mustaine is a Christian in word only...not deeds. He, among other "spiritual" rock musicians, will stand before Jesus Christ one day, and tremble in terror as Jesus says, "Depart from me...I never knew you!".

You gotta walk the walk, if you're gonna talk the talk. This is the wide chasm that separates Megadeth from true Christian bands like Petra. If you want music that isn't afraid to mention the name of Jesus, go buy some more Petra CDs. Sorry, Mr. Mustaine...but my music $$$ go to bands not ashamed of the gospel. "The System Has Failed"...indeed.

[seichu kaisho]

Is it true that the guy who played Ned Schnevely (sp?) on School of Rock was a former bass player in Megadeth?

[executioner]

St. Augustine,

I think you are a little quick to judge, until you know whats in his heart and how he is living for God, then I think you need to be quiet, only God knows what is in his heart, and my understanding of the whole situation is he became a Christian only 2 years ago, and at that time was no longer playing guitar because of circulation problems in his hand and arm. He gives God credit for healing him. He has only been a Christian for a short time. Give him time to get some of his fruits.

Many Christian artists tour with secular artists and personally I do not think there is anything wrong with it, maybe they can have a good witness towards someone and bear some fruits.

[St. Augustine's Pears]

Re: Executioner's remarks...

The bible is very clear on showing your faith in Jesus. In James, it says, "Faith without works is dead.". Now, don't go starting a debate about that old bugaboo that "you don't need works to please God". Believe me, I know that...I grew up Catholic...works cannot save you no matter how much/how many you do.

What I'm saying is...why would any Christian waste their money buying a Megadeth CD that has a few "spiritual touches" (using BleedingHero's words) about God (and an abstract God, at that)...when you can go buy Petra CDs that have a no-nonsense, blatant, in-your-face message of Jesus in the lyrics? You never have to think, "Well, this song COULD be about Jesus.". With Petra, you KNOW the songs are about Jesus. This may sound cheesy, but I really appreciate how Petra prints the bible verses before every song, so you can look them up and see how the song is based on that scripture.

Don't bother with buying a "psuedo-Christian" album like Megadeth's. No album like that will be heard in heaven. Yes, music is entertainment. If you want nourishment, read the bible. But, if I choose to listen to music that re-affirms my faith in the Lord Jesus, there's no question...I'll take Petra every time.

For myself, I am eternally thankful to my Saviour who saved me from being a slobbering, decadent drunk. Without Jesus, I would have died by now ("Die Dead Enough", indeed.). Why does Dave Mustaine want to hide his faith in the God that healed his arm? Because it will make him seem "less cool" to secular metal fans? Because it will lower his standing in the "metal community"? Because it will mean less album sales? I don't know...I'm not a mind-reader. But the bible tells us that if you have Jesus in your life, you are to "not be afraid".

The question I would ask Mr. Mustaine is...what are you afraid of?

[executioner]

St. Augustine,

There you go again throwing out judgments on the guy and you don't even know who he is. Is this how we as Christians are suppose to accept someone new into the faith? Would Jesus be acting the same way you are now? If you need me to help you with that beam let me know.

I've bought all of the Petra Cd's and some other CCM over the years, but CCM now is very market friendly, and I find that to be wrong. Most of the CCM artists I see today I can't tell if they our signing about Jesus or not. I went to Shoutfest here in my community in September, and they had 12 different CCM artists there and only 2 said anything on stage with their lyrics and speaking between songs about being a Christian(Petra& Jonah33) those were the only 2. I was frankly ashamed and apalled at the same time, because I had to sit there and answer questions from a nonchristian friend about why these artists don't act any different from secular artists, but I will not sit there and judge these artists for what they do. I just choose not to buy any of their CD's and let other people make up their minds about them.

[bleedinghero]

i wouldve bought megadeth's latest album regardless of whether dave mustaine had become a christian or not. why? because ive always liked megadeth, i enjoy their music.

the fact that dave mustaine claims he's a chritstian has nothing to do with me liking and buying megadeth. ive been a long time fan. i just find it facsinating that the band's new album has some spiritual hints.

im not saying one should buy The System Has Failed to be edified. if you're looking for edification, yeah buy petra's stuff (although the track "shadow of deth" was uplifting to me).

i just think that for anyone who has been into megadeth he'll find the new album a treat because of megadeth's return to thrash and great solos.

the "spiritual" undertones are a bonus.

theres much to be desired in dave mustaine's behavior (he still cusses a lot and yeah, there arent many "fruits" if one is looking for great spiritual strides forward) but that's his thing. i like to give people the benefit of the doubt. from his interviews and lyrics it sounds like mustaine is struggling to take a stand. but at least he's going in that direction. giving God credit for his health, his recovery from an arm injury, even apologizing to metallica and slayer for fighting and not trying to work things out in the past - i think that says a lot about a person's character. maybe not enough to make a full assesment of someone's spirituality but like EXE said, no one's in a position to judge with finality.

either God is still working in him or he hasnt changed at all. thats between him and God.

at least mustaine plays hard once more. now if only bob hartman would play solos again...

[brent]

St. Augustine,

I think you are a little quick to judge, until you know whats in his heart and how he is living for God, then I think you need to be quiet, only God knows what is in his heart, and my understanding of the whole situation is he became a Christian only 2 years ago, and at that time was no longer playing guitar because of circulation problems in his hand and arm. He gives God credit for healing him. He has only been a Christian for a short time. Give him time to get some of his fruits.

Many Christian artists tour with secular artists and personally I do not think there is anything wrong with it, maybe they can have a good witness towards someone and bear some fruits.

I agree with some of this...

There is nothing wrong with entertainment. There is something wrong with constantly craving it, but nothing wrong with providing it. I am kind of hesitant about wishing for a newly saved, milk drinking musician to immediately minister on stage. It can do more harm than good. Hopefully Dave has been plugged in somewhere to fellowship with bible believers that practice their walk and have fruit to show for it. Why is it that if you are now a Christian that you must get preachy.

If you have read my previous posts, you may think that I have jumped fences. But wait. In the instance of Creed, you have a guy that now says that he IS a Christian, where all of his songs point to him not being a Christian, and the band stating in many interviews, on their website and on TV that, they believe that there is more than one way to God.

So now you have Dave getting saved, acknowledging his salvation, and now writing songs that lead to that, without being so corny, with so many "gods" or "loves"-per-minute in their lyrics.

He has stated that he will be doing songs that are not traditionally accepted as Christian. Fine with me. You know what they call this generation? The LOST generation. Only 2 PERCENT of those raised in church with both mom AND dad faithfully attending will stay in. 0% of those with single parents, or only one parent attending will stay in. Over half of professing Christian youth do not know what makes them a Christian, and about 90% of the professing Christian population does not buy Christian music EVER.

So, if Dave has access to these kids at a show, more power to him, because the church has not adapted to meet the people's needs, nor has the true ministry segment of the Christian music machine.

[executioner]

Brent,

You are correct, enough said about this subject.

[seichu kaisho]

Only 2 PERCENT of those raised in church with both mom AND dad faithfully attending will stay in.

What about youth groups, college ministries, and other faith-focused gatherings? I know some christian peers who don't attend church but do go to my youth group regularly.

Over half of professing Christian youth do not know what makes them a Christian

As much as I don't want to believe that, you're probably right. Yet as these young Christians get older, it's very likely that they will mature spiritually and develop a clearer understanding of their faith.

I don't blame my teenage Christian friends for minimal understanding - I myself didn't "get the point" until I was 16, a couple years after I accepted Jesus.

and about 90% of the professing Christian population does not buy Christian music EVER.

That doesn't necessarily mean they don't listen to Christian radio or their friends' Christian music.