Megadeth: Risk

Megadeth's eighth studio, "Risk", was released in late August of 1999, to a sadly lukewarm reception. With their previous album, "Cryptic Writings", the band enjoyed a lot of radio success. "Risk", to me, seemed like they were trying to write an write album of radio hits again, but the fans just didn't want an album of songs that didn't necessarily call to mind the heavy metal of the band's past albums.

With new drummer Jimmy DeGrasso in the studio with the band for the first time, Megadeth went more experimental than they ever have, and while most fans weren't happy about it, I personally love the album. "Risk" is definitely melodically driven, especially with songs like "Breadline" (which had a video that I believe did fairly well), and "I'll Be There".

There's still plenty of hard rock here to be had, even if it isn't the blistering heavy metal that the band had been known for their entire career. "Prince of Darkness", "Crush 'Em", "Time: The Beginning", and "Seven". But for me, this album really shines with those more melodic pieces. "Time: The Beginning" is a perfect example of the beauty that Megadeth are capable of writing.

Standouts on this album, in my opinion, are "The Doctor Is Calling" (which has a really creepy vibe, that somehow still makes me feel a little uncomfortable to this day), "Breadline", the lead single "Enter the Arena" (a sports anthem if I've ever heard one!), the melodic rocker "Ecstasy", and the "Time" suite.

I still don't understand why this album didn't do so well. Is it "Rust In Peace"? No, absolutely not. But I wouldn't want "Rust In Peace" pt. 2. I personally like it when bands expand, and explore their creativity. I read somewhere that Dave Mustaine thinks that if another band had put this same album out, that it would have done very well. I tend to agree with him on this. To me "Risk" was definitely a risk, and one that clearly paid off, because even though the band and fans have shunned it since its release, I still get to listen to this wonderful album, loud, as all  music should be played.

((I wrote this review for the VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" facebook page. Come by, and join in on the discussion!))