Headcrusher

Album: Endgame (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the lead single from thrash metal act Megadeth's twelfth studio album, EP Endgame.
  • The band debuted this on June 24, 2009 at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Frontman Dave Mustaine told Jam! Music that this song is "about a medieval torture device." He added: "It's straightforward, no-nonsense Megadeth thrash metal."
  • This was the first Megadeth release to feature guitarist Chris Broderick after Glen Drover's departure in 2008.
  • Endgame was recorded at the band's new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California - Vic's Garage. The studio was named after Megadeth's iconic mascot character, Vic Rattlehead, whose image appears on several of their albums.
  • The song was originally submitted as a musical idea by Megadeth guitarist Shawn Drover. Dave Mustaine started listening to the beginning of the song and just hated it. He recalled to Noisecreep: "I'm thinking to myself, 'Why don't I like this thing?' He kept on pushing me to listen to it more so I finally decided to learn it on guitar. Once I started figuring it out on guitar I go to Shawn, 'Dude, no wonder I don't like it, it's the beginning of (1990 Rust in Peace track) 'Take No Prisoners,' I asked him how was I supposed to use the riff again."

    Mustaine did collaborate with Drover on the rest of his idea. "Yeah, I listened to the rest of the song idea he had," he said, "and it was great music. So sometimes you just have to go through crap like that to get to the good stuff."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.