15SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION MEGADETH

(1992)

Dave Mustaine at his most direct

It may be one of his simplest creations, but the powerful main riff on this 1992 single is one of Dave Mustaine’s very best. Adding to the dissonance of the half-step interval between its two opening chords are the silences that follow, and then a palm-muted closing line to further outline its Phrygian feel. A custom-built silver sparkle Jackson King V was Mustaine’s ‘Number One’ during these years, fed into a VHT power amp and either a Bogner or Custom Audio Electronics pre amp. Lead guitarist Marty Friedman, who left the band eight years later, was also using Jackson guitars through the same rackmount gear, as well as a hot‑rodded Marshall 50-watt.