Editing Youthanasia (section)

==Background and recording==
Megadeth's previous studio release, ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]'', became the band's biggest commercial accomplishment, entering the ''Billboard'' 200 at number two and eventually becoming double platinum. As a result, they continually sold-out arenas across North America, in addition to developing a strong following overseas. With ''Youthanasia'', the band moved to a more mainstream sound.<ref>{{cite web|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|title=Megadeth – Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/megadeth-mn0000406294/biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=18 September 2013}}</ref>

It was a time of problems and conflicts for Megadeth, that in every two weeks or so, according to frontman [[Dave Mustaine]], there were "outrageous emotional interventions" in order to make the group a democracy. Many band meetings during this period concerned Mustaine's creative control over a "successful formula", so that the rest of the band could better exercise their creativity.<ref name=YouthNotes>{{cite book|title=Youthanasia liner notes (2004 remaster)|year=2004|publisher=Capitol Records|pages=2, 24–25}}</ref> Another problem was the indecision on where the recording would take place. Mustaine did not want to record in [[Los Angeles]], so it was eventually decided to record in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], since the majority of the band resided in [[Arizona]].<ref name=RealmsDethInterview/>

The sessions for the album initially began in Phase Four Studios (Tempe) in January 1994, after a few weeks the sessions were moved to Vintage Recorders in Phoenix and continued there into May. This studio is often the location for scenes in the ''Evolver'' video.<ref name=YouthNotes/> Producer [[Max Norman]] suggested that they build a new self-dedicated studio, in cooperation with the band, Capitol and Norman's funding a modular studio was built in a warehouse in South Phoenix. Talking about the recording process, Mustaine said that ''Youthanasia'' was written solely in the studio. "We weren't playing any old, cataloged material. None of the past really influenced the new record."<ref name="Rockmetal2">{{cite web|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_cyberarmy1995.html|title=Megadeth Conquers Globe|work=Megadeth CyberArmy|publisher=Rockmetal.art.pl|year=1995|access-date=16 September 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054030/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_cyberarmy1995.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He mentioned that he gave "more freedom" to the other members and called the album "very much a total band effort".<ref name="Rockmetal"/>

Of interest is that this was hoped to be the first album recorded solely on [[Hard disk drive|hard drives]], rather than [[magnetic tape]]. Both Norman and Mustaine were believers in being on the cutting edge of technology, Norman had long been using computers to sample, tune and comp tracks. [[Avid Audio|Digidesign]] was working on expanding [[Pro Tools]] from a single track to multitracking and it was hoped that as many as 48 digital tracks could be synced and used to record. The computers used were mostly [[Macintosh Quadra]] and with a great effort by all, it was soon evident that magnetic tape would have to be used.