Megadeth
Basic Dreams

THE REVIEW

The Megadeth of the period immediately following the release of “Countdown To Extinction” (1992), up until the release of the fair “Youthanasia,” can be likened, in an unusual yet picturesque analogy, to the Roman Empire at the time of Trajan, that is to say, at the moment when territorial expansion was at its peak, but the first signs of defeat were slowly starting to manifest.

This excellent bootleg, which does not provide any information regarding the place of its recording, manages to capture Megadeth in their monstre lineup (Mustaine – Ellefson – Friedman – Menza), presented here in all its splendor, portraying a band that, from a technical-compositional standpoint, had few equals.

From the opener “Holy Wars/The Punishment Due” to the closing cover of the Sex Pistols “Anarchy In The USA” (the original title featured UK instead of USA), all the great classics contained in the first three albums produced by the group under the aegis of Capitol Records are reviewed. Numerous hit-songs and memorable tracks that have helped bolster the now increasingly worn foundations of the heavy metal temple follow one another at a dizzying rhythm, erecting a sonic wall of notable solidity and depth. Faced with a bootleg of such quality, we pass without hesitation over the typos that, on the back of the package, grotesquely alter the titles of the songs and some credits, as in the case of Mustaine and Ellefson, which become Munstaine and Eleffson, or “Countdown To Extinction” which transforms into “Contdown Of Extinction.” The fourteen tracks on the disc, besides boasting a more than good recording, are all songs of undeniable historical importance and immeasurable beauty: I therefore advise every reader not to hesitate in purchasing “Basic Dreams,” a publication that is difficult to find but of the highest level, the only flaw of which is that it doesn’t include any piece from the debut “Killing Is My Business And Business Is Good.”

Those who did not appreciate the work of Al Pitrelli and Jimmy De Grasso on the official double live album “Rude Awakening” will all the more appreciate this bootleg, a collection of live tracks of impressive intensity, branded by Megadeth’s lineup with Friedman and Menza at the forefront. (Enrico Rosticci)

TITLETRACK

01) HOLY WARS… THE PUNISHMENT DUE
02) SKIN O’ MY TEETH
03) WAKE UP DEAD
04) HANGAR 18
05) FORECLOSURE OF A DREAM
06) COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION
07) LUCRETIA
08) SWEATING BULLETS
09) IN MY DARKEST HOUR
10) TORNADO OF SOULS
11) ASHES IN YOUR MOUTH
12) SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION
13) PEACE SELLS
14) ANARCHY IN THE U. S. A