Artist: MEGADETH
Album: SO FAR, SO GOOD ... SO WHAT! REMIXED & REMASTERED (CD)

Release date: 1988/ 2004
EAN/UPS: 0724359862620
Media type: CD

MEGADETH confirmed their revised line-up in November 1987. Alongside Mustaine and Ellefson were ex-BROKEN SILENCE guitarist Jeff Young and, from Detroit, drummer Chuck Behler, the latter having been Samuelson's drum technician. Behler's previous outfits included MASSACRE, STREET ELITE, THE MEANIES, SINCLAIR and EREBUS. In fact, the noted SLAYER drummer DAVE LOMBARDO had been offered the vacant drum position before Behler, but he reportedly turned the gig down because of Mustaine and co's acknowledged continuing drug problems.

Young had gained the position after he had taught ex-MALICE guitarist Jay Reynolds in order for his pupil to get the job. Although Reynolds briefly gained a place in MEGADETH, Young soon ousted him midway through recording of 'So Far, So Good… So What'.

With this fresh line-up, MEGADETH performed their second British show headlining the 'Christmas On Earth' festival atop a bevy of thrash acts including NUCLEAR ASSAULT, OVERKILL, LAAZ ROCKIT, VOIVOD and CRO-MAGS prior to American dates with DIO. By the tail end of these dates with the former RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH singer, and their album nestling in the American top 30, MEGADETH had turned a - ticket sales wise- very slow tour into their own vehicle. A brief rest period was quickly curtailed by more headline shows, this time with Germans WARLOCK as openers.

The 'So Far, So Good...So What' album featured a cover version of the SEX PISTOLS track 'Anarchy In The UK', which was to chart in Britain, even boasted guest guitar from SEX PISTOLS guitarist STEVE JONES. Expectations were high as the thrash movement reached its zenith and MEGADETH's third album clocked up advance North American sales of over 450'000.

The year could not go by though without controversy though. As the press stoking up the heat numerous METALLICA vs. MEGADETH articles it was alleged that Mustaine put in a claim that METALLICA's track 'Leper Messiah' off their 'Master Of Puppets' album was in fact a thinly disguised rework of an early track he wrote titled 'The Hills Ran Red'. METALLICA hit back with strong denials.

Back to business the same year, MEGADETH went into the studio to re-record a fresh version of 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' for inclusion on the 'Dudes' soundtrack album. 1988 saw MEGADETH returning to Europe for a headline tour with support from Seattle's SANCTUARY, a band that Mustaine had aided on the production front. Although many dates were sold out Mustaine threw the band straight into controversy when he made praising remarks about the IRA whilst onstage in Northern Ireland. Needless to say the audience were far from appreciative and began spitting at the frontman.

The troubled times were far from over however when after an impressive appearance at the Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival MEGADETH once more split down the middle with Young and Behler out, the drummer joining BLACK & WHITE. Young unsuccessfully auditioned for melodic Rockers DANGER DANGER.

Mustaine launched into a vitriolic stream of abuse about his former guitar partner even going so far as to suggest that Young was in love with WARLOCK chanteuse Doro Pesch and could not handle the fact that Pesch was supposedly writing love letters to Mustaine.

1988 had MEGADETH bouncing straight back and celebrating a top twenty British singles hit with their version of ALICE COOPER's 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' taken from the soundtrack to Wes Craven's 'Shocker' movie. Recording for this track was to be the first with new ex-RHOADS drummer Nick Menza. The new drummer had coincidentally been Behler's drum technician in the same way that Behler had been Samuelson's. It took Menza three stabs to land the job though as, after two failed auditions, Mustaine persevered and taught the songs to Menza. It transpired that Menza's ability was there all along, but the prospect of joining an act like MEGADETH had reduced him to a bag of nerves at auditions.

TRACKLIST:

1. Into The Lungs Of Hell
2. Set The World On Fire
3. Anarchy In The U.K.
4. Mary Jane
5. 502
6. In My Darkest Hour
7. Liar
8. Hook In Mouth

Bonus tracks:

9. Into The Lungs Of Hell (Paul Lani Mix)
10. Set The World On Fire (Paul Lani Mix)
11. Mary Jane (Paul Lani Mix)
12. In My Darkest Hour (Paul Lani Mix)

LINE-UP:

Dave Mustaine (vocals/ guitar)
Jay Reynolds (guitar)
Dave Ellefson (bass)
Chuck Behler (drums)