Greatest Hits: Back to the Start explained

Greatest Hits: Back to the Start
Type:	greatest
Artist:	Megadeth
Cover:	500px_Greatest_Hits_Back_To_The_Start.jpg
Released:	June 28, 2005
Recorded:	1984–2000
Length:	78:04
Prev Title:	Still, Alive... and Well?
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Warchest
Next Year:	2007

Greatest Hits: Back to the Start is the second greatest hits album by Megadeth. It was released on June 28, 2005, via Capitol Records.^[1] The title "Back to the Start" is a reference to lyrics in "Rust in Peace... Polaris" from Megadeth's 1990 album Rust in Peace: "The day of final conflict/All pay the price/The third World War rapes peace/Takes life back to the start." The cover art is an edited version of the Castle Romeo H-bomb test.

Background and release

The selection of tracks for the album was largely determined by fans, who voted on songs in polls on the band's website.^[2] However, the inclusion of "Kill the King," a track originally released on , was insisted upon by Mustaine.^[3] To help promote the release, a new video was made for "Kill the King."^[1]

Commercial performance

Greatest Hits: Back to the Start reached No. 65 on the U.S. Billboard 200,^[4] selling 17,441 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.^[5] By December 16, 2005, the album had sold about 133,000 copies in the U.S.^[6] The album was also certified gold in Canada in July 2011. On July 23, 2011 in Toronto, Canada, the band was presented with gold plaques by EMI in recognition of the achievement.^[7]

Reception

Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic critiqued the album for being more of a sampler and having a more "balanced" approach to the band's Capitol Records material, rather than focusing on Megadeth's first few records.

Track listing

^[2]

Limited edition DVD

• "Kill the King" music video
• "Live at the Fillmore Auditorium December 27, 1999"
  • "Prince of Darkness"
  • "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due"
  • "In My Darkest Hour"
  • "Hangar 18"
  • "Sweating Bullets"
  • "Symphony of Destruction"
  • "Peace Sells"
• Arsenal of Megadeth trailer

^[8]

Personnel

• Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals on all tracks
• Marty Friedman – guitars on tracks 1, 4–7, 9, 11, 13, and 15–17
• Chris Poland – guitars on tracks 3, 10 and 12
• Al Pitrelli – guitars on tracks 8 and 14
• Jeff Young – guitars on "In My Darkest Hour"
• David Ellefson – bass on all tracks
• Nick Menza – drums on tracks 1, 4–7, 9, 11, 13, and 15–16
• Gar Samuelson – drums on tracks 3, 10 and 12
• Jimmy DeGrasso – drums on tracks 8, 14, and 17
• Chuck Behler – drums on "In My Darkest Hour"

^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Megadeth: New 'Kill The King' Video Posted Online - June 6, 2005. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 3 February 2013.
2. Book: Greatest Hits: Back to the Start liner notes. 2005. Capitol Records. 6, 8–9.
3. Web site: Begrand. Adrien. Megadeth: Greatest Hits: Back to the Start. Popmatters. July 28, 2005. December 3, 2013.
4. http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-back-to-the-start-mw0000345772/awards "Greatest Hits: Back to the Start - Megadeth | Awards"
5. Web site: Soundscan Report: CKY, Megadeth, Devildriver, Darkest Hour, Throwdown. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 6 July 2014. 6 July 2005.
6. Web site: Megadeth: Album Sales Update. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 6 July 2014. 16 December 2005.
7. Web site: Megadeth Presented With Canadian Gold Plaques For 'Back To The Start'. https://archive.today/20130201082340/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161058. dead. 1 February 2013. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 3 August 2011. 24 July 2011.
8. Book: Greatest Hits: Back to the Start limited edition back panel. 2005. Capitol Records.
9. Web site: Tobias . Zywietz . Chart Log UK: M – My Vitriol . Zobbel . October 3, 2021.