Megadeth - "Cryptic Writings"

Megadeth - Cryptic Writings

1997/2004, Capitol

1. Trust

2. Almost Honest

3. Use the Man

4. Masterminds

5. The Disintigrators

6. I'll Get Even

7. Sin

8. A Secret Place

9. Have Cool, Will Travel

10. She-Wolf

11. Vortex

12. FFF

Bonus Tracks:

13. Trust (Spanish Version)

14. The Evil That's Within

15. Vortex (Alternate Version)

16. Bullprick

Megadeth's emphasis on melody continues here and the band adds some pop/rock sheen to the proceedings too. Though there's plenty of good metal to be had here. "Use the Man" has a cool thrash breakdown, "The Disintigrators" is fast and furious (not to mention one of my favorite 'Deth tracks ever), and "She-Wolf" is another thrasher that's a concert favorite to this day. I'm kind of glad I got to this disc after all these years because I don't really have any issues with it - even though it's the most commercial album the band did up until this point. I like this even better than Youthanasia! I might get crap for saying this but I think, as a whole, this disc has stronger songs than the previous one.

Useless Fact: I think it was at this point that the other people in the band and the management were trying to get Dave to make Megadeth into a total pop/rock band.