The Craving

MD.45 is a little curiosity in the Dave Mustaine history, a rip-roaring punk-metal adventure, which was little publicised. Just to clarify, this is the re-mastered version I have, with Dave on vocals. Maybe one day, I'll compare the two version of this album, but for now, it's all Dave.

First thing that strikes me is that this is far more fun than most of Megadeth's output. The songs are more upbeat and to the point than Dave's day job, less technical and more in-your-face. That said, it still sounds like Megadeth a BIT. "The Day The Music Died" could have come straight off Cryptic Writings, and the bridge reminds me a bit of a modern-day Megadeth song, something off of The System Has Failed, and I believe that, if this was released as a Megadeth single, it would've done very well, better than Trust probably.

"Fight Hate" starts with Take No Prisoners-style call and reply shouty vocals, and sounds like Mustaine's covering a Motorhead song. I also especially love the sitar midsection, akin to Holy Wars, and the more harsh "UGH"s Mustaine unleashes on this song, but the "Something's different" refrain grates a bit. But ironically, this song has some of the most megadeth-y lyrics, especially nowadays Megadeth, but the lyrics weren't written by Mustaine, they were written by Lee Ving.

After this, it all descends into mediocrity, Designer Behaviour has a baffling chorus which is annoying, while The Creed is not bad, but it starts out very boring and can't really pick up. It reminds me of something off of Youthanasia or Countdown, 2 of Megadeth's weakest records, but overall it's not bad. The rest of this album is all a bit non-descript, but good nonetheless. There's nothing remotely bad about these songs, but by now, the novelty of Mustaine playing this sort of stuff has worn off, and you may tend to get a bit sick of it. "No Pain" is the highlight of the second half of this album definitely, but even this still sounds the same to the rest of this stuff, just better executed. It's a nice, fast thrashy headbanger of a song and I really like it.

The bonus tracks are of absolutely no use to anyone. Chutney is unbelievably boring, it basically consists of Dave going "From my mother I am torn" over and over again and, although we're warned not to take Segue seriously, it's still pretty pointless, basically consisting of 3 little snippets or jams that Mustaine felt should've been on the album. That said, I would rather have these than the pointless live tracks or remixes which furnished the other re-masters. The third song, a version of The Creed, played by the Countdown-era line-up of Megadeth is fairly interesting. It is a different beast from the MD. 45 version, and is interesting to see, and is a nice inclusion on the disc, but it's still pretty boring.

In conclusion, this is a good album, if a bit samey. After a while, you might get bored but there is nothing bad about this record. Although a departure for Dave, it still has hints of Megadeth about it, and various songs are referenced. This is a good album to put on when your having a party or are getting drunk with friends. It's good old-fashioned headbanging music, and serves it's best purpose as background music, but not something to be held under close scrutiny. As a Megadeth album, it isn't essential, but can hold it's ground against most of the other albums. This should be near the bottom of your shopping list, but you should definitely buy it if you find a copy, because it still is a good listen.

MD.45, the most interesting aspect about this band is how they came up with the band name! A lot of people like to argue whether or not this is legitimate metal or punk music. Let me tell you, I have heard some pretty shitty punk music, and this music sounds more like thrash metal leaning to punk, or having punk influences.

There are only a couple of songs that sound like shitty punk music, such as Fight Hate and Designer Behavior. The other songs sound to heavy to be punk music. Even the most respected punk music like Misfits and Danzig, etc. are not this heavy. I think it is because Dave Mustaine can not leave behind his seriousness for thrash metal. Seriously listen to this album and imagine Mustaine singing and you have some what Megadeth songs. No this is not punk music simply because the riffs are to complicated and sound to much like Megadeth riffs. You can see this similarity on most of these songs, but some that stick out more than others are: Voices, Nothing is Something, and Hell's Motel. Let's take a look at one of the main riffs (first one heard) off of No Pain. See to me this sounds a lot like the intro to Liar which comes off of So Far, So Good, So What...

If it is not complicated, but cool sounding, Mustaine licks, then it is just a combination of power chords. I think the thing that makes this album bad is Lee Ving's awful singing. I never heard Fear before, but if that is his usually voice then I am sure Fear sucks just as much. To me it resembles Elvis mixed with Blaze Bayley and a pinch of Danzig. If Dave would have sung on this album and put it under Megadeth I don't think there would have been so much talk about it. My conclusion is cool Megadeth style riffs with awful singing.

Well, I know most of the Megadeth fans don't like this album. But, they all know that this is NOT Megadeth. This is completely another band. That's why this is not something the fans would expect.

For the vocals, I don't have a problem with it. It's just good with the way it is. A different type of vocals, and I'll be honest, it took me quite a while to get into it but now I like it and enjoy it.

The music is not something related to Megadeth. If it was related, then Dave would have put them on a Megadeth album, why do you think he chose to do it as a side-project?? So, do not expect Megadeth sound or Megadeth style on this album!! It is completely different.

Songs like "Hell's Motel" and "Designer Behavior" are my favorite tunes. But overall, this album has punk roots in it and that is the main reason why I like this album. This is not something like Megadeth's "Risk", this is kind of like punk mixed with heavy metal which sounds nice!!

A very nice side-project, completely different than Megadeth but different does not necessarily mean bad. Great drumming (as always, DeGrasso rocks!!), great bass playing, decent vocals and great guitar playing and musicianship from Dave Mustaine. If you like punk and heavy metak, check this album but if you expect 80s Megadeth, don't touch it.