Fatal Illusion Explained

Fatal Illusion
Cover:	fatalillusion.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	Megadeth
Album:	Dystopia
Released:	October 1, 2015^[1] ^[2]
Recorded:	April–July 2015
Studio:	Studio South, Leiper's Fork, Tennessee
Genre:	Thrash metal
Length:	4:16
Label:	Tradecraft/Universal
Producer:	Mustaine Chris Rakestraw
Prev Title:	Burn!
Prev Year:	2013
Next Title:	The Threat Is Real
Next Year:	2015

"Fatal Illusion" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was released as the lead single from their fifteenth studio album, Dystopia on October 1, 2015,^[3] and as a CD release on October 9 of the same year.^[4]

Music and lyrics

According to the bands website, "the lyrics are about a person who is a misfit in society and ends up getting taken before the judicial system…"^[5]

Performances

The song debuted live in Perth, Australia, on October 16, 2015.^{[6] [7]} Megadeth guitarists Dave Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro did a playthrough of the song for Guitar World magazine.^[8]

Critical reception

Loudwire ranked "Fatal Illusion" as the thirteenth best metal song of 2015.^[9] The song was ranked the fourth greatest from the album by Return Of Rock.^[10]

Track listing

• Tracks 2 & 3 recorded live at The Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA 12/4/1992.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Dystopia liner notes.^[12]

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – lead and rhythm guitars, lead vocals
• Kiko Loureiro – lead guitars, backing vocals
• David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
• Chris Adler – drums

Additional musicians

• Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals
• Eric Darken – percussion
• Blair Masters – keyboards & programming

Production and design

• Produced by Dave Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw
• Engineering by Chris Rakestraw
• Mixed by Josh Wilbur
• Pre-production by Cameron Webb
• Additional production by Jeff Balding
• Mastering by Ted Jensen
• Brent Elliott White – cover artwork

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rosenburg . Axl . Listen the New Megadeth Single “Fatal Illusion” Right Now! . Metal Sucks . 15 September 2022.
2. Web site: Bienstock. Richard. Megadeth Premiere New Song, "Fatal Illusion". Revolver. October 1, 2015. October 2, 2015.
3. Web site: NEW SINGLE ‘FATAL ILLUSION’ WORLD PREMIERE! . Megadeth.com . 15 September 2022.
4. Web site: Megadeth – Fatal Illusion . discogs . 15 September 2022.
5. Web site: Monomyth . Megadeth ‘Dystopia’ Track-By-Track: ‘Fatal Illusion’ . 2022-09-17 . Megadeth . en-US.
6. Web site: Megadeth Setlist . Setlist.FM . 15 September 2022.
7. Web site: CHRIS ADLER’S SECOND SHOW + ‘FATAL ILLUSION’ LIVE PREMIERE . Megadeth.com . 15 September 2022.
8. Web site: Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro Play "Fatal Illusion" . Guitar World . 15 September 2022.
9. Web site: 20 Best Metal Songs of 2015 20 Best Metal Songs of 2015 20 Best Metal Songs of 2015 . Loudwire . 15 September 2022.
10. Web site: Dystopia Songs Ranked . 9 May 2022 . Return Of Rock .
11. Web site: メガデスのシングル作品. Megadeth Singles. Oricon. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20211004204109/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/168428/products/single/. December 14, 2022. October 4, 2021. live.
12. Book: Dystopia Liner notes. 2016. Universal Music Enterprises. 12.