Search - Megadeth :: Hidden Treasures

A much deserved re-release of a great rarities collection

howzat | 08/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hidden Treasures (1995. (Re-released 2007.)), a collection of Megadeth rarities



The year 2007 has seen a number of great releases for the thousands of Megadeth fans out there. The band's new studio album, `United Abominations', is a fantastic release and the `That One Night, Live In Buenos Aires' DVD is excellent concert footage. To put the icing on the cake, the band's rarities collection `Hidden Treasures' was given a remaster and re-release. `Hidden Treasures' was originally released in 1995 however it had eventually gone out of print and had become increasing difficult to get hold of in CD format. The re-release (albeit only currently available outside the US) gives a new lease of life to very much an excellent `Megadeth fans' release. The work has been certainly remastered - the first eight tracks which formed the basis of the original CD sound crisp and clear with excellent bass depth and intensity. 3 Demos and a radio of `A Tout Le Monde' are also included on the CD. The tracks themselves span very much the `classic' period of Megadeth's career from 1989-1995 and are mostly releases for film/computer game soundtracks. Apart from the first song on the album, each track features the line-up of Dave Mustaine, Dave Ellefson, Nick Menza and Marty Friedman. Below is a little about the songs.



`No More Mr. Nice Guy' opens the collection. This is a fantastic cover of the 1970's Alice Cooper classic and is the only Megadeth song recorded as a 3 piece. It was recorded in 1989 during the band's search for a second guitarist to replace Jeff Young. Megadeth's version is faster than the original and contains some excellent vocals and guitar work from Mustaine. `Breakpoint' is a good follow up with some express riffs and a humorous interlude mid-way through. `Go To Hell' is an interesting song, in many ways very much Megadeth's take on Metallica's `Enter Sandman' as it features the `Now I Lay Me Down...' lyrics. I'm not sure if Megadeth released this before Metallica brought out their self-titled or if it is a humorous dig at Mustaine's former band but either way it is a pretty good and funny song. ` Angry Again' is for me the best track on this rarities CD. One of my personal favourite Megadeth songs, it contains some great melodies and an amazingly great chorus which really sticks inside your head. There also some Friedman guitar solo excellence in the song. '99 Ways To Die' is another CD highlight, with plenty of energy and another mint chorus line. The band's cover of Black Sabbath's `Paranoid' is well worth a listen as is the much more mellow and stately `Diadems'. `Problems' is a very well done version of the original Sex Pistols song. The most worthwhile song in the bonuses is the demo of `Symphony Of Destruction' which has an excellent extended solo section (the song can also be found on the `Countdown To Extinction' remaster bonuses). The demo/edit extras `A Tout Le Monde', `Architecture Of Aggression' and `New World Order' are all good versions of the songs in their own right.



Overall this is another Megadeth release which is well worth getting hold of if you're a big fan of the band. Personally I think the CD is worth it for `Angry Again' alone but the rest of the CD is a further collection of Megadeth excellence. The CD will no doubt be available in the US soon, this great CD is a fan must which has thankfully received a much deserved re-release and makeover!



MY RATING: 8/10"

Finally it is here!!!

Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 05/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have the original pressing of this on cassette, and I have been waiting for Megadeth to re-release this as they did with their back catologue from Capital with bonus tracks. And here it is. The bonus tracks not on the original album are previously un-released Demos of 'A Tout Le Monde', 'Symphony Of Destruction', 'Architecture Of Aggression' and 'New World Order. These are great versions of the classic. Plus the original 8 tracks are nice to have in one spot. Worth the price to re-buy if you are a collector."

Excectly as the title says

shane | philly | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"these are some of the better tracks in the middle years,many were had to find and deserved ablum sports high point breaking points,go to hell,99 ways to die angry again,& excellent cover songs. if you like megadeth prior to this release buy it don't wait ."