The Album Reader Reviews:

	Title: Risk Artist: Megadeth Label: EMD/Capitol Release Date: 8/31/99	There are currently 13 Reader Reviews of this album. Average Rating: 2.23 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Submitted by deadhammer (10/24/02):
Loserrrrrrrrrrr. I hate this album. It wasted my money and time. Same like The World Needs a Hero album. Rubbish standard!!!

Submitted by Omen (12/18/01):
This is Megadeth's poor attempt at pop. It is just horrible. Tons of useless sounds and totally forgettable songs. The only saving grace is "Prince of Darkness." Even Dave Mustaine himself adimtted this album sucked and when even the band members admit the album sucks that's a hint and a half to stay the hell away from it. One skull for "Prince of Darkness."

Submitted by Anders (10/24/01):
Come on... it's not THAT bad. "Prince of Darkness" is even better than many songs on TWNAH. It has and excellent sound quality. Marty rules.
RISK!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Megaman 420 (5/29/01):
Personally, I don't give a rat's ass what style Megadeth embraces, be it thrash metal, or "the disco hits of the 70's played with bagpipes," as long as it's good music. That being said, I could shit a better album than Risk. I mean, come on!! "OOOOOOHH about to loooo-oooooose his LIFE LINE!! HEEEEEEEEE is danc-ing on the BREAD LINE!!!!" What the hell is that? He sounds like Whitney Houston on PMS!! Songs like "Insomnia," "Crush 'Em," "Ecstacy" and "Seven" are bad enough to make you wish you were listening to Beach Boys. Imagine the runniest dump you have ever taken, and then imagine eating it. Now you are ready for songs like "Prince of Darkness" and "Time, Part 2." At least "I'll Get Even," "A Secret Place" and "Sin" were interesting!!! When I die, I will regret nothing, but the 40-odd minutes I spent listening to this load of polar bear crap!!

Submitted by Fracture (11/20/00):
If there should be any debate as to why this album is a shocker for anyone that knows what Megadeth has produced in the past, then they need to be slapped. If Dave wanted to make a sissy album, he could have called it "Dave Mustaine-And The California Raisins" why taint the Megadeth name that had been synonymous with Bay Area thrash metal? Because, you're a moron Dave. Plus, he's lost Nick Menza, and shortly after, Marty Friedman jumped ship, for obvious reasons. Now he's lost his deal with Capitol Records, and signed with Sanctuary Records, there are fates worse than death I guess, and being in this band would be one of them. P.S. The CD Sucks.

Submitted by Rhonni (10/9/00):
It seems evident that the panel of reviewers don't want to grow up and evolve. Rather, they would like to re-hash their own "glory days" vicariously thru music that does not change. It would have been interesting to hear the review had Risk been a repeat of Rust In Peace or Peace Sells. I'm wondering what stance would have been taken on that?
Would it have been a "Megadeth still has what it takes to turn out blistering guitar solos and agressive, anti-establishment vocals", or would it have been "Megadeth can do nothing but re-hash their old sounds and have ceased to be original"? Even if you don't like Risk, and think Dave is following in his former band's direction, at least we don't have to cringe through steel guitars and a Nashville twang. I have honestly never seen anyone treated as harshly as Dave Mustaine simply because he was once in another band. I wonder at the possibility of you being able to open your mind long enough to state your opinions of Megadeth without comparing them to Metallica. I mean come on guys, Dave is no longer in Metallica, and hasn't been for a long, long time. It's time to move on and accept that fact and to realize that Megadeth doesn't need the approval or inspiration of James and his crew to create. It also amazes me that one assumes Dave is trying to mimic Metallica because he is unable to be "original." As I recall, some of Metallica's greatest work was when Dave was in the band. Has it once crossed anyone's mind that perhaps by "following in Metallica's footsteps" as you say, he is merely mocking them? There aren't many who are as wonderfully sarcastic and contemptful as Dave, and we all know that if Metallica is worthy of anything, it is mockery and contempt. I say this not due to their musical change but due to the 180 degree turn of everything the name "Metallica" stood for. I also think it is very childish to imply that one is not being honest to oneself if one happens to like Risk. I would consider someone who appreciates the fact that an artist can grow up and expand their musical horizons a "true fan". Now, I will be the first to agree that Risk is not a product of the Megadeth of old, I will even agree that it's not a "metal" album, but to say it is a "waste of time" is ridiculous. What has also failed to be mentioned is the fact that 8 of the songs on Risk are co-written by Marty Friedman and only 2 are written by Dave alone. If you want to personally attack Dave over Risk, maybe it should be for allowing Marty or Bud Prager to co-write. As I'm sure you're aware, RIP is written mainly by Dave with only 3 songs co-written w/ David Ellefson. For anyone surprised by Risk, you're obviously not paying attention to the band's evolution. It is a natural succession to Cryptic Writings and Youthanasia, both of which are overall heavier than Risk, but still not RIP or Peace Sells. Even though Risk is not my favorite of Megadeth albums, I'm glad for it still. Risk allows me to remain listening to Megadeth when I'm in a more reflective mood. I am no longer 19 years old and ready to defy everything in the world. I've grown up and can appreciate their diversity in music now. If they had abandoned us long-time fans for the youth of today, they would have gone the way of the rock-rap noise we have today [insert Kid Rock blithering over "Sad But True"]. I know of very few young music fans who like Risk, so I wonder where you come up with that analogy. To refer to yourself as a "loyal" fan is laughable. To say that disappointments like this is what almost killed metal is somewhat misconstrued. People need to wake up and realize commercial music popularity has little to do with how a band has changed. Record companies, and station program directors determine what is popular. If Risk had been released in the 80's it would have been far more popular than it is now and would have been praised for the "melding of melody and guitar solos". I find it shallow, insulting, and selfish, to criticize a band for evolving and not producing the exact music YOU want. Is it too harsh for you to have to face life and the fact that we all grow older? I say, if you don't like Risk, fine, but stop attacking a person/band simply because they have matured and aren't afraid to evolve. I mean, seriously, do you honestly expect a near 40 year old to constantly be writing about anarchy?
Now, if you are wanting/expecting an all out thrash album, don't buy this one,
If you want to listen to the same stuff re-hashed time and again, then pick up some AC/DC or Pantera.
The one, overall, thing about this release that captured me is that the music and the way the songs are sang, fit perfectly together with the stories they portray.
1: "Insomnia": The screeching violins over the solidness of the guitars and the frustration in the vocals truly captures insomnia at its worse.
2: "Prince of Darkness": At the beginning, this song creeps, like a predator stalking its prey and is dark and quietly angry. Then it leads into the smooth steady music and vocals as someone who is gaining control over his victim. Then the violins portray a seemingly beautiful journey only to enter the darkness of the reality and ending with the more agressive boasting of the evil winner.
3: "Enter the Arena": Anticipatory in the slow steady drum beat and repeated chanting.
4: "Crush 'Em": One word comes to mind when I hear this. Snide. It is so non-agressively sang and played, one would assume the arrogant party does not need to be overbearing.
5: "Breadline": The music is almost monotone, mainly uneventful, and depressively hopeless. Much like someone would be in the situation of the story, until the end when one reaches his or her breaking point, the music comes to a peak and then just stops.
6: "The Doctor is Calling": Dark, and creepingly schizophrenic. Taking one on the paranoid journey through insanity from the inside in slow motion, with the occasional commentary from the outside.
7: "I'll be There": Solemnly passionate, as any weighty promise would be.
8: "Wanderlust": When I hear this, I immediately see tumbleweed rolling across the desert.
9: "Ecstacy": This song alternates between softness demonstrating the secrecy of lying and more momentum giving evidence that the means justifies the end.
10: "Seven": A very nice rock n roll riff. Very carefree and lacking remorse. Sang with contempt at what mankind has become.
11: "Time: The beginning": Sad, reflective, and regretful. Painfully realistic of life slipping by.
12: "Time: The End": Angry and determined even though unavoidable, man still struggles to hold on to all he can, still hoping for invincibilty.
If anyone misses out on the richness of this album simply because it's not the thrash you want, I feel sorry for you.

Submitted by Metal Mike on (8/21/00):
Top 5 reason not to buy this CD:
1.Cheesy Lyrics
2.Drums Loops
3.Lack of good riffs
4.Dave has traded his snarl for a whine
5.You could go buy Rust In Peace instead
It is hard to beleive that this is the same band who produced the riff fest that was Rust In Peace. There is really nothing to say about this. This is worse than the pop garbage it strives to be.

Submitted by Anonymous on (8/19/00):
Yes, let the inevitable comparisons begin... I really wish the collective public could get past the fact that Dave was once in Metallica. Enough already! Okay, that said on to my review...
Risk is a big risk, and although the end product nowhere near matches their earlier work, it is by no means bad. And it certainly isn't an excuse to personally attack Dave! He has proven himself in my eyes, and if he wants to experiment that's fine with me. At least I don't feel betrayed by him like I do James and the boys. And there are some good songs here. "Prince of Darkness" could almost be "The Conjuring" part two. And "Time: The Beginning" and "Time: The End" are nothing short of brilliant. Yes, I admit that some of the songs are bad aldo nova outtakes, but every band has a crappy record (need I remind anyone of Hear in the Now Frontier?

Anonymous submission (1/4/00):
Basically this album is a huge disappointment, because the band had such a huge presence as a speedmetal band and maybe was even greater as just an ordinary heavy metal band(whatever you consider Youthanasia and Countdown to be, either way i like them).
The album really sounds like what they describe it as on its enhanced disc: NWOBHM mixed with their Led Zeppelin influence. All the heavy songs sound like lame NWOBHM; although not incredibly bad they are just incredibly disappointing compared to what Megadeth has done in the past.
The other songs are all Led Zeppelinish, or even more like the sound on some songs from Cryptic Writings. "Ill get even with you" from Cryptic Writings was kind of a precursor to these songs.
I really don't like it when Dave sings; his voice sucks and fits perfectly with sarcastic pissed off lyrics because he sounds so ridiculous.
But there are higher points to the album: the slow songs are decent and all the solos are decent but maybe too short.
This is really for Megadeth collectors only, but I find an enjoyment of around average for this album so I'm going to give it a rating of 3(maybe it should only get a 2.5, I don't know, but 2.5 doesn't exist so I'll give them their one benefit).

Submitted by Oren Corem on 11/5/99:

"p.s. The cover sucks. Get an art director."
As a long-time devoted Megadeth fan, at the first listening I said to myself, "Crap." So I did in the second. It sounds like nothing (good) Megadeth has done b4. It sounds like a horrible rock act trying to get response by the overuse of synth's. Where is Rust (which I consider alongside with Death's Individual Thought Patterns to be my all time favorites)? Where is the spectacular, speedy yet precise, guitar playing? Where are the lyrics (not inside Mustaine's head this time, but hey, he's still one of the top writers/players) of the sharpened, jagged "Sweating Bullets" and "Take No Prisioners?"
When compared to other bands (Metallica?) today, this CD is ok, nothing more.
p.s. The cover sucks. Get an art director.

Submitted by Tony Syme on 10/30/99:
Megadeth is another 80's metal band that has had to deal with reinventing themselves to suit the popular musical climate of the 90's. Risk continues Megadeth's full retreat from its speed metal beginnings with the more melodic and rockin' trend set by "Symphony of Destruction." Actually, songs like "Insomnia" and "Crush 'Em" could almost qualify as club material.
Although the words "Mustaine" and "sing" are hard to picture in the same sentence, Dave's melodic vocals project well on tracks like "Breadline" and "I'll Be There." "Time: The Beginning" contains one of the best vocal tracks I've ever heard from the metal meister. "Prince of Darkness" is a stand-out tune, as Mustaine belts out his anti-Satan diatribe with an almost evangelical zeal until the music climaxes into a "Bad Seed" (Metallica) type riff. While Risk lacks the metal punch of earlier Megadeth records, the album's greatest asset lies in the variety of musical ideas present. From the industrial and disco leanings of "Insomnia" and "Crush 'Em," to the sweet "I'll Be There," to the more metallic "Time: The End," Megadeth has produced a very well-rounded, well-crafted record. Risk is not exactly a guitar player's fantasy come true, but there are a few riffs that warrant attention, like the Eastern-sounding "Insomnia" and the gloomy crush of "The Doctor Is Calling." The latter tune is one of the album's highlights with its beautifully crafted chorus section. Risk is a solid effort by this veteran metal band, although I do miss some of the weightier material from the group's earlier stuff. For a former speed metal band, Megadeth has done an exceptional job in expanding into different territory and have solidified themselves as a major rock/metal crossover act.

Submitted by Garth on 10/20/99:
I came to the ranks of Megadeth fandom fairly late in the game, around the time of "Symphony of Destruction". But, I quickly grew into the older stuff; the classics, "Rust in Peace" and "Peace Sells...". Unfortunately, it sucks to get into a band that's seemingly past their peak. "Cryptic Writings" had some good tunes but no great stuff. "Risk" seems to continue the slide. From the blatant grab for commercial acceptance of "Crush 'Em" (destined to be on some lame ESPN music compilation album), to the elementary lesson in rhyming on "Breadline" ("He's about to lose his lifeline/ Sniffing up those white lines/ Standing on a Breadline" how many ways can "line" rhyme with "line"?). The album starts with a cool track in "Insomnia", kind of a departure into a cool groove, and ends on a high note with the more progressive, more genuine "Time:The Beginning and End". So, like the album, I feel I have to end this review on an up note. I did see MegaDave in concert last Sunday, and they kicked ass. Dave worked the crowd, and they shredded the classic old tunes. Unfortunately it just helped point out how lame the new songs from "Risk" are.

Submitted by afterdeaf on 10/19/99:
Wow. What a load of crap this album is. I am sure that Dave Mustaine would have loved to call this album Load, but - doh - the name was already taken by some other saps. Sorry for comparing Megadeth to Metallica once again, but I can't help it. If you must know, Risk makes Load sound like a neckwrecking slab of metal mayhem. You've heard "Crush 'Em", right? Well that is about the best the album has to offer. What a waste. Didn't Metallica call an album Binge & Purge -- here is your warning: don't binge on Risk. I am going to go purge.

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