Lying in State (song) explained
"Lying In State" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It is the ninth track from their fifteenth studio album, Dystopia, which was released on January 22, 2016. The song's music video was released for the band's 35th anniversary on January 31, 2018.[2] [3]
Music and lyrics
"Lying In State" is the second part of 'Conquer Or Die'. Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine commented, "Those two parts were supposed to be sequenced together. So it goes 'Conquer Or Die… Lying In State'."[4] "Lying in State" is also fastest song on Dystopia,[5] and is in the key of D major.[6]
Mustaine also said about the song: "'Lying In State' part is a double entendre which I'm pretty familiar with doing. The 'lying in state' was a place where you… Once you die, you're lying in state for all to see. Or, right now, with people who are still upright, standing by the podium, lying in a position of state." (The song) talks about how I've seen the world change in the years that I've been alive. I guess the double entendre came from watching a lot of these politicians, you just know when they're asked a question the answer is such spin, somebody that doesn't know shit is gonna go, 'Oh, I get it,' because they don't wanna say, 'I have no idea what he just said.' But for me, since I watch a lot of political pundits to try to get inspiration for songs, I see when people are spinning stuff, and to me that's lying in state."[7]
Music video
The music video for "Lying in State" features Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead rescuing a young boy from a graveyard,[8] while the band plays inside of a tomb.[9] The video was directed by Leo Liberti, who also directed part one (Conquer or Die!)'s music video.[10]
The video was first announced in November, 2017.[11]
Critical reception
Although the song was ranked at only number 7 in Return of Rock's ranking of Dystopia, it was spoken of fondly. "Right from the get go, it’s straight forward, in your face pulverizing thrash. The rumbling, catastrophic riffing is reminiscent of “Blackmail the Universe” off their 2004 TSHF album. Crushing riffs to go along with Chris Adler’s blitzkrieg double bass and a terrific vocal performance from Mustaine make “Lying In State” a standout track."[12] An author from Rockpasta had a very good opinion of the music video, stating "You will love everything on this new music video, the suits, the effects, and on top of that, the great freaking song!"[13]
Personnel
Credits adapted from Dystopia liner notes, unless otherwise noted.[14]
Megadeth
- Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals
- David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
- Kiko Loureiro – guitars, backing vocals
- Chris Adler – drums
Additional musicians
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
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Dystopia Songs Ranked . Return of Rock . 13 September 2022 . 8 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208221814/https://returnofrock.com/dystopia-songs-ranked/ . live .
- Web site: SEE MEGADETH'S MASCOT PARTAKE IN GRISLY RESCUE MISSION IN NEW "LYING IN STATE" VIDEO . Revolver . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914194959/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-megadeths-mascot-partake-grisly-rescue-mission-new-lying-state-video?gclid=Cj0KCQjw94WZBhDtARIsAKxWG--9i6WsTXhlBA0r943TS4mk6C3m8KPpC7lKOm-ZQH0m4Lj1WcpCSOIaAikpEALw_wcB . live .
- Web site: Megadeth Celebrate 35th Anniversary with New "Lying in State" Music Video . Guitar World . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914195107/https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/megadeth-celebrates-35th-anniversary-with-new-lying-in-state-music-video . live .
- Web site: Metal . Mark . Megadeth Premiere "Lying In State" Music Video . Ghost Cult Mag . Ghost Cult Magazine . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914194544/https://www.ghostcultmag.com/megadeth-premiere-lying-in-state-music-video/ . live .
- Web site: Arnopp . Jason . A track-by-track guide to Megadeth – Dystopia . Louder Sound . Metal Hammer . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914200239/https://www.loudersound.com/features/a-track-by-track-guide-to-megadeth-dystopia . live .
- Web site: Megadeth Lying In State . In What Key . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914200240/https://inwhatkey.com/song/lying-in-state-by-megadeth . live .
- Web site: Video Premiere: MEGADETH's 'Lying In State' . Blabbermouth . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914194535/https://blabbermouth.net/news/video-premiere-megadeths-lying-in-state . live .
- Web site: Halbe . David . MEGADETH – "Lying In State" . The Metal Channel . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914200457/https://www.themetalchannel.net/video-reviews/megadeth-lying-in-state/ . live .
- Web site: Peacock . Tim . ADVERTISEMENT Watch Megadeth’s New Video For ‘Lying In State’ . U Discover Music . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914195428/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/megadeths-new-video-lying-state/ . live .
- Web site: SEE MEGADETH'S MASCOT PARTAKE IN GRISLY RESCUE MISSION IN NEW "LYING IN STATE" VIDEO . Revolver . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914194959/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-megadeths-mascot-partake-grisly-rescue-mission-new-lying-state-video?gclid=Cj0KCQjw94WZBhDtARIsAKxWG--9i6WsTXhlBA0r943TS4mk6C3m8KPpC7lKOm-ZQH0m4Lj1WcpCSOIaAikpEALw_wcB . live .
- Web site: Munro . Scott . Louder is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us. Home News Metal Hammer Megadeth have filmed a new video for Lying In State . Louder Sound . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914194533/https://www.loudersound.com/news/megadeth-have-filmed-a-new-video-for-lying-in-state . live .
- Web site: Dystopia Songs Ranked . Return of Rock . 13 September 2022 . 8 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208221814/https://returnofrock.com/dystopia-songs-ranked/ . live .
- Web site: Watch Megadeth’s New Music Video For Lying In State . Rock Pasta . 14 September 2022 . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914195603/https://rockpasta.com/watch-megadeths-new-music-video-for-lying-in-state/ . live .
- Book: Dystopia Liner notes. 2016. Universal Music Enterprises. 12.