When a great musician leaves us, all that remains is to preserve their memory by listening and re-listening to the wonderful recordings they left us.
This is the case with this Top 11, in which we remember eleven incredible moments of pure inspiration from the great Nick Menza .
This week marks four years since Menza left us on a sad May 21, 2016, after a heart attack while performing with the band OHM in Los Angeles. However, his legacy, especially the four albums he recorded with Megadeth , lives on forever!
Here are 11 hymns that we love to listen to, today and always. Thank you, Nick Menza!
11. “Family Tree” from Youthanasia (1994) – A song where Nick Menza's creativity is easily perceived. It begins with a hi-hat atmosphere that builds to a chorus that warns against abuse within the family. The song, created by Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson, was co-written by Nick Menza.
10. “FFF” from Cryptic Writings (1997) – Quick, short and direct, it recalls the old days of what a young Mustaine should have been like starting his career in an unknown Metallica in '82. As a bonus, Nick Menza co-wrote this banger!
9. “Architect Of Aggression” from Countdown To Extinction (1992) – The song features a series of rhythmic changes and distinct grooves, also showcasing Menza at the peak of his form.
8. “Tornado Of Souls” from Rust In Peace (1990) – Another classic that turns 30 in 2020 and has aged very well. The song has those dry pauses at the beginning and middle with the turn that leads into an overwhelming hurricane, much bigger than a tornado.
07. “She-Wolf” from Criptic Writings (1997) – Melodious with a catchy chorus, Nick Menza alternates between rhythms that culminate in an apotheotic ending with riffs in thirds in the best Iron Maiden , which are spine-tingling! Worth revisiting!
06. “Rust In Peace… Polaris” from Rust In Peace (1990) – What a killer start! It could very well be a solo, full of fills, syncopations, snare drum hits and grooves in different time signatures. This is Menza at his best.
5. “Trust” from Cryptic Writings (1997) – One of the iconic moments in a Megadeth show is when the bass drum, floor tom, and toms begin to alternate, announcing the start of “Trust”!
04. “Hangar 18” from Rust In Peace (1990) – One of Megadeth's most played songs to this day! An anthem, a classic! Theories about UFOs and the 1980 film of the same name inspired Nick Menza to write the lyrics, although he is not credited with them.
03. “Train of Consequences” from Youthanasia (1994) – A groove that makes you feel like you're on a train that's constantly moving forward, with turns and rhythms that give a special flavor to one of Megadeth's greatest classics.
02. “Sweating Bullets” from Countdown To Extinction (1992) – One of the most different songs in Megadeth's discography required a lot of creativity from Nick Menza, with numerous passages, tempo changes, pauses, and great precision.
01. “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” from Rust In Peace (1990) – The opening track of Nick Menza's first album with Megadeth. Nine years of this unforgettable drummer in a mega band! Worth 900 years!
Thanks again, Nick Menza!
READ ALSO : Touching video in tribute to Nick Menza of Megadeth
