Released: Sep 30, 2008
Genre: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Hard Rock, Speed Metal
Label: Capitol
Number Of Tracks: 30
Anthology: Set The World Afire may not feature many demos or unreleased recordings, but you still get an abundance of album classics from Megadeth’s lengthy career.
Anthology: Set The World AfireFeatured review by: UG Team, on october 09, 2008 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: Just about a year ago Megadeth released the broad-spectrum box set Warchest, which might have been a bit pricey for some fans’ wallets. Granted, it was the most in-depth look at the band’s career thus far, and it might have just covered a little too much ground. Fast forward to 2008, which marks the release of a cheaper, more succinct alternative: Anthology: Set the World Afire. The 2-disk CD package meets a nice middle ground between the band’s previous greatest-hits packages and the massive box set. It’s true that a few of the less commercially successful albums aren’t really represented (there are no tracks from The System Has Failed and only one from The World Needs A Hero) and don’t expect to see anything from the latest release United Abominations, but luckily there’s still plenty in the arsenal - about 2 ½ hours worth.
The tracks featured on Warchest were apparently hand-selected by Dave Mustaine himself, so there was definitely a mix of the familiar and obscure. Anthology: Set The World Afire, on the other hand, is dedicated to delivering the hits first and foremost, with Megadeth’s early years getting a decent chunk of the first CD. “Mechanix” and “Rattlehead” are taken from Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good, probably the rawest out of all the studio recordings. It’s fantastic they did decide to include “Rattlehead” because that is the one track that feels closest to Mustaine’s Metallica years. Things move quickly onto the years in which Megadeth began to have a heavy presence on Headbanger’s Ball, and classics like “Peace Sells, ”“Holy Wars…The Punishment Due, ” “Hangar 18, ” and “Sweating Bullets” are, as always, highlights.
The 2nd disk deals primarily with Megadeth’s material from Countdown To Extinction onward, which is still a pretty big bulk of time considering that covers everything since 1993. “Skin O’ My Teeth, ”“Train of Consequences, ” “A Tout Le Monde, ” and “Kill The King” are among the titles on the 2nd disk’s 18 tracks. It should also be mentioned that there are quite a few tracks taken from 1995’s Hidden Treasures CD, which featured rarities and soundtrack singles. Surprisingly the MTV hit “No More Mr. Nice Guy” did not make the Set the World Afire’s list, but you do get “Breakpoint” (taken from Super Mario Bros.), “Angry Again” (Last Action Hero), and “Go To Hell” (Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey).
Set The World Afire is not putting it's focus on much that is new, but this is a case where it’s good to finally just have a solid, well-known Megadeth collection. Warchest featured quite a few rough cuts and live versions, but Anthology sticks with the classic takes for the most part. The few newly released titled include live versions of “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells, ” as well as a demo version of “High Speed Dirt.” In comparison to other bands that include demos on their greatest hits CDs, “High Speed Dirt” sounds 100 percent solid (check out the perfectly executed bluesy guitar riff toward the end). That track in itself is a testament to the musicianship within Megadeth. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The anthology features tracks that Megadeth’s fans will already be familiar with, so the lyrical content shouldn’t raise any eyebrows. It is interesting to see how well-crafted the lyrics actually were in the early days, too. Yes, there is a certain maturity to the later songs like “A Tout Le Monde,” but the 1980’s tracks shows great promise in both metaphorical construction (“Mechanix”) and politically driven content (“Peace Sells"). // 9
Impression: Megadeth fans should relish in Anthology: Set The World Afire, even with the last few years not completely represented. It’s true that Warchest included 5 disks, but a lot of the featured tracks were rarities or demos. Sometimes you just want to hear the classic version of a hit single, and the new release covers all the bases in that area. Obviously they can’t include anything from United Abominations yet, so the compilation gets a pass on that one, too. Again, it’s impossible to please everyone, but Set The World Afire finally does a quality job of hitting all the high notes in Megadeth’s lengthy career. // 9
Anthology: Set The World Afire
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on october 13, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: The bands sound is like no one elses. If anyone came close at all, it would be Mettalica, but really, Megadeth, in my opinion, blows them away. There isn't that normal story going on in this CD you would find in other Megadeth CDs, but listen close and through the lyrics and behind the guitar solos you may find a story of todays leader, the economy, and overall government corruption that is spreading like a plague across the Earth. The style to this music is a hint of moody lyrics, a dash of killing, and a heap of blazing fast guitar and drums. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are great because they are mostly based on political topics like presidents and the economy. The lyrics fit in perfectly with the sound of the music, and combining these fiery lyrics with the enflamed guitar solos makes one huge inferno of awesomness. To add to that, Dave Mustaine has mad skills at singing. His signature snarls do nothing less than add on to the attitude of the music. // 10
Impression: I don't own the CD yet, but I'm planning on getting even though I already have every song featured on the Cd. I'm a truly hardcore fan of Megadeth. I know I shouldn't waste money that I don't have on songs I already have, but I love them so much I just have to. This is a rockin' killin' machine of a CD. This CD compares to no albums in any way because no one sounds like them.Overall, I love the politically based songs. They are like a theme song for the U.S. government at this point. If I lost this CD or it was stolen, I would totally buy it again. // 10
how many best of albums do they have now lol, i love megadeth, they are on of the best bands around! but another best of! what the hell! just hurry with the new album
But really, wait another couple of years or so before bringing another best of idea out. I swear I think megadeth has more best of collections than iron maiden does...
i agree with colm its the same thing as warchest but there all good songs any ways and its all ways good to get all there cds like any megadeth fan doesnt already have them all.
ok Megadeth does have a ridiculous amount of best of cd's going to try to list them: Capitol Punishment years, Still Alive... and well?, Back to the start, Warchest, and now set the World a Fire. Totaling at 5...
Capitol Punishment was the old record company (Capitol) trying to make the last bit of money off of Megadeth released maybe a decadish ago. Not sure who decided to do still alive and well but thats also an old one. Back to the start was compiled by fans around the time of System has Failed being released, warchest was Dave himself las year, not sure who selected tracks for Set the world afire... Spamwise said it was Capitol again.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion as to why so many
He should make a greatest hits collection of his greatest hits compilations. Come on Deth, we have enough of these compilations as it is.
Yes I have Warchest and it's awesome, so why in the world would I buy this?
And to mister Chimaira here above: Have you considered that Set The World Afire was a song that was written well over 15 years before Crapswitch Engage began playing "metal"?
the name is too similar to killswitch's live dvd "set the world ablaze". megadeth still kicks ass.
But it's named after the Megadeth song 'Set The World Afire'
Made long before killswitch.
The reason they're making all these greatest hits is just so they can complete their contract with the record company.
No songs off TSHF? That kinda sucks. Well, not really as I have it, but still... I hear they're in the studio now, so I believe a new album is in the works. I love how they keep pumping out albums quickly and not waiting five years between releases. I probably won't get this, as I have it all already. Sorry Dave, I have enough of your stuff!!
This isn't really Megadeth's doing though. They're on Roadrunner Records now, this was released by Capitol. Obviously Capitol is still trying to make money using Megadeth's name.
FYI, High Speed Dirt is a pretty cool song.
Although considering I've that song for over a year now, I don't get how it's still a demo.
And 'Antology'? Ces nouvelles, sont-elles ecrits par un homme franais? xD
Froboarder wrote:
And 'Antology'? Ces nouvelles, sont-elles ecrits par un homme franais? xD
what???
my french is not the best, but are you trying to say 'these news, are they written by a french man?'
just curious...
c'est ce qu'il a dit thats what he said.
on topic, i am more exited about the new album than this best off.
yay
