While Countdown echoes the band's earlier work thematically, it's stylistically disappointing: The music, which is considerably more subdued than anything Megadeth has ever done, sounds formulaic; the musicianship is pedestrian; and the album as a whole seems to have been written for marketability rather than merit. Nothing on the album compares with the brilliance of either "Holy Wars ... the Punishment Due" or "Hangar 18," on Rust in Peace. The only song that even begins to approximate the drive of earlier albums is "Ashes in Your Mouth."

Put simply, Countdown just does not measure up. Even though it was never as technically advanced as Slayer, Megadeth, from its inception, was in the vanguard of metal bands. What attracted its fans were the passion, energy and variety of its music. All of these qualities have been watered down on Countdown to Extinction. This smoother, mellower sound may attract a wider audience, but original fans should quite rightly feel let down.

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KAREN CSENGERI

(Posted: Jan 27, 1997)