Editing Dave Mustaine (section)

===1990s===
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Following [[Cacophony (band)|Cacophony's]] disbanding in 1989, [[Marty Friedman (guitarist)|Marty Friedman]] was auditioned the same year to fill in the vacant lead-guitar position, and joined the band in February 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/watch-marty-friedman-audition-megadeth-1989/|work=[[Loudwire]]|title=Watch Marty Friedman Audition for Megadeth in 1989|first=Joe|last=DiVita|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094200/https://loudwire.com/watch-marty-friedman-audition-megadeth-1989/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="megahistory">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101193455/http://www.megadeth.com/history.php|url=http://www.megadeth.com/history.php|archive-date=January 1, 2011|work=[[Megadeth]]|title=History|access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> In September of that year, the band joined the [[Clash of the Titans tour|"Clash of the Titans"]] tour overseas with [[Slayer]], [[Suicidal Tendencies]], and [[Testament (band)|Testament]].<ref name=megahistory/> The tour began one month before Megadeth released ''[[Rust in Peace]]'' (1990), which was cited as one of the best thrash metal records of all time by publications such as ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' and ''[[Kerrang!]]'' and continued their commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2012/03/30/megadeath-rust-in-peace/|work=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]|first=Chris|last=Dick|date=March 30, 2012|title=Megadeth – "Rust in Peace"|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922044159/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2012/03/30/megadeath-rust-in-peace/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501135923/http://www.kerrang.com/wheretostartwith/artists/megadeth|url=http://www.kerrang.com/wheretostartwith/artists/megadeth|work=[[Kerrang!]]|archive-date=May 1, 2009|title=Megadeth - Where to Start with|access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> They then went back on the road to promote the new album, this time as support for [[Judas Priest]].<ref name=megahistory/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/megadeth-rust-in-peace/|title=Megadeth: 'Rust In Peace'|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2022|first=Ruben|last=Mosqueda|website=sleazeroxx.com|archive-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922082752/https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/megadeth-rust-in-peace/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Megadeth started off 1991 by performing for an audience of 145,000 people at [[Rock in Rio]] before starting their own world tour with [[Alice in Chains]] as their special guest.<ref name="1991tour">{{cite web|url=https://megadeth.com/news/2018/megadeth-world-tours-1990-1991/|title=Megadeth World Tours 1990-1991|work=[[Megadeth]].com|date=September 22, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061940/https://megadeth.com/news/2018/megadeth-world-tours-1990-1991/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://whiplash.net/materias/biografias/254229-rockinrio.html|title=Rock In Rio 1991: 10 curiosidades sobre a 2ª edição do evento|first=Igor|last=Miranda|date=December 12, 2016|website=whiplash.net|access-date=May 27, 2022|language=pt|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061940/https://whiplash.net/materias/biografias/254229-rockinrio.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aliceinchainsarchives.com/1991-3/|title=1991 – Alice in Chains Archives|access-date=May 27, 2022|website=aliceinchainsarchives.com|date=June 22, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Mustaine was married in April, the same month the ''[[Rusted Pieces]]'' home video was released.<ref name=megahistory/><ref name=marriage/> That summer, the Clash of the Titans tour hit the U.S., featuring Megadeth, Slayer, and [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], with Alice in Chains taking the opening slot.<ref name=1991tour/> Later that year, the Megadeth song "Go to Hell" was featured on the soundtrack to ''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey]]''.<ref name=megahistory/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/black-dahlia-murder-megadeth-go-to-hell-cover/|title=Hear the Black Dahlia Murder Cover Megadeth's 'Bill & Ted' Song|date=August 31, 2020|first=Philip|last=Trapp|work=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://loudwire.com/black-dahlia-murder-megadeth-go-to-hell-cover/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also in 1991, Mustaine collaborated with Sean Harris from [[Diamond Head (English band)|Diamond Head]] on the track "Crown of Worms".<ref name="cow">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/dave-mustaine-brian-tatler-diamond-head-metallica-interview/|work=[[Loudwire]]|title=How Diamond Head Influenced Dave Mustaine + Metallica - Interview|date=May 24, 2018|first=Joe|last=DiVita|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094201/https://loudwire.com/dave-mustaine-brian-tatler-diamond-head-metallica-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mustaine would later appear on Diamond Head's reformation album ''[[Death and Progress]]''.<ref name=cow/> Mustaine's wife, Pamela, gave birth to their son Justis in 1992. July of that year saw the release of Megadeth's most commercially successful record: ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]'',  which debuted at No. 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and boasted some of the band's most commercially successful songs, including "[[Symphony of Destruction]]", "[[Sweating Bullets (song)|Sweating Bullets]]" and "[[Skin o' My Teeth]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/artist-artist-lists-lists/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-megadeths-countdown-extinction/23505|work=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|date=July 12, 2017|first=Richard|last=Bienstock|title=10 Facts About Megadeth's 'Countdown to Extinction' Album|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715063301/https://www.revolvermag.com/artist-artist-lists-lists/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-megadeths-countdown-extinction/23505|url-status=live}}</ref> The original version of the "Symphony of Destruction" video was edited due to its depiction of a political leader being assassinated;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rockandrollgarage.com/hear-dave-mustaine-marty-friedmans-isolated-guitar-symphony-destruction/|work=rockandrollgarage.com|first=Rafael|last=Polcaro|title=Hear Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman's isolated guitar on "Symphony Of Destruction"|date=January 17, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103001926/http://rockandrollgarage.com/hear-dave-mustaine-marty-friedmans-isolated-guitar-symphony-destruction/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Skin o' My Teeth" was aired on MTV with a disclaimer from Mustaine insisting that the song did not endorse suicide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockerteeshirts.com/blogs/rockers-blog/megadave-the-man-behind-megadeth|title=Megadave: The Man Behind Megadeth|date=November 5, 2018|first=Martin|last=Grossman|work=rockerteeshirts.com|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124055913/https://rockerteeshirts.com/blogs/rockers-blog/megadave-the-man-behind-megadeth|url-status=live}}</ref> Ellefson contributed lyrics to the family-farm ballad "[[Foreclosure of a Dream]]", and Menza wrote the lyrics about [[canned hunt]]ing for the title track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/dave-ellefson-megadeth-metal-allegiance|work=[[Songfacts]]|title=Dave Ellefson (Megadeth, Metal Allegiance)|date=December 2, 2015|first=Greg|last=Prato|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/dave-ellefson-megadeth-metal-allegiance|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- I know there was a discussion about the reliability of songfacts, this is an official interview so please don't remove :) -->

[[Pantera]] and Suicidal Tendencies opened for Megadeth on the ''Countdown to Extinction'' tour, and [[MTV News]] also invited Mustaine to cover the [[Democratic National Convention]] for them that summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/countdown-to-extinction-how-megadeth-kicked-booze-and-drugs-to-survive-the-90s|work=[[Metal Hammer]]|via=Loudersound|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=May 29, 2022|title="I'm lucky with my intake of drugs I didn't end up a glob of sh*t": how Megadeth made Countdown To Extinction|first=Rich|last=Hobson|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.loudersound.com/features/countdown-to-extinction-how-megadeth-kicked-booze-and-drugs-to-survive-the-90s|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, the "Exposure of a Dream" home video was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/bands/album.php?album_id=97550&band_id=163&bandname=Megadeth|title=''Megadeth - Exposure Of A Dream [DVD]''|work=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://metalstorm.net/bands/album.php?album_id=97550&band_id=163&bandname=Megadeth|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1993, Mustaine guested on a new album by one of the bands who had influenced his own sound: Diamond Head, and also began a U.S. tour with [[Stone Temple Pilots]] as their opening act.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/stone-temple-pilots-dean-deleo-megadeth-dave-mustaine-real-gentleman-to-us/|title=Stone Temple Pilots' Dean DeLeo: Dave Mustaine 'Was a Real Gentleman to Us'|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=September 26, 2017|first=Chad|last=Childers|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094200/https://loudwire.com/stone-temple-pilots-dean-deleo-megadeth-dave-mustaine-real-gentleman-to-us/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/diamond-head-guitarist-on-being-managed-by-dave-mustaine-its-nice-to-be-working-with-professional-people-who-know-what-theyre-doing|work=Metal Nexus|via=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2022|title=DIAMOND HEAD Guitarist On Being Managed By DAVE MUSTAINE: 'It's Nice To Be Working With Professional People Who Know What They're Doing'|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://blabbermouth.net/news/diamond-head-guitarist-on-being-managed-by-dave-mustaine-its-nice-to-be-working-with-professional-people-who-know-what-theyre-doing|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour with Stone Temple Pilots which included a planned appearance at [[Nippon Budokan|Budokan]], was ultimately canceled due to Mustaine's continuing struggles with addiction.<ref name="gibson">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6URPndg9cg|title=Icons: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth|date=August 20, 2021|work=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]|via=YouTube|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6URPndg9cg|url-status=live}}</ref> In June, Megadeth played Milton Keynes Bowl with Diamond Head and Metallica and later opened for Metallica on a handful of European Stadium dates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallica.com/events/event-12437.html|title=1993-06-05 Milton Keynes, England|work=[[Metallica]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315145951/https://www.metallica.com/events/event-12437.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Megadeth was kicked off [[Aerosmith]]'s U.S. tour after just seven dates because a comment made by Mustaine ("We don't have much time to play because Aerosmith don't have much time left to live") was deemed extraordinarily offensive to Aerosmith.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/20-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-megadeth/|work=[[Loudwire]]|first=Eduardo|last=Rivadavia|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=May 29, 2022|title=20 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Megadeth|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://loudwire.com/20-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-megadeth/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grunge.com/267136/what-you-didnt-know-about-megadeth/|title=What You Didn't Know About Megadeth|work=[[Static Media|Grunge]]|date=October 24, 2020|first=Nicholas|last=Vrchoticky|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.grunge.com/267136/what-you-didnt-know-about-megadeth/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Angry Again" was featured on the soundtrack to the 1993 [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] movie ''[[Last Action Hero]]'', while "99 Ways To Die" was featured on ''[[The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience]]'' compilation album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/last-action-hero-original-soundtrack--mw0000097397|title=Last Action Hero [Original Soundtrack] Review by Jason Birchmeier|first=Jason|last=Birchmeier|access-date=May 29, 2022|work=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170302101344/http://www.allmusic.com/album/last-action-hero-original-soundtrack-mw0000097397|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-beavis-and-butt-head-experience-mw0000621825|first=Bradley|last=Torreano|title=The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience Review by Bradley Torreano|access-date=May 29, 2022|work=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-beavis-and-butt-head-experience-mw0000621825|url-status=live}}</ref>

Megadeth spent the majority of 1994 making ''[[Youthanasia]],'' a more commercial album that had high expectations due to the success of ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/megadeth-youthanasia-album/|work=[[UDiscover Music]]|first=Caren|last=Gibson|date=November 1, 2021|title='Youthanasia': How Megadeth Traded Speed For Power In The Metal Stakes|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121072101/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/megadeth-youthanasia-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band covered [[Black Sabbath]]'s song "[[Paranoid (Black Sabbath song)|Paranoid]]" for ''[[Nativity in black#Nativity in Black|Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath]]'' and performed on MTV's "Night of the Living Megadeth" in celebration of the Halloween release of their new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/megadeth-12-great-and-occasionally-obscure-covers-thrash-kings|work=[[Guitar World]]|title=Megadeth: 12 Great (and Occasionally Obscure) Covers from the Thrash Kings|first=Richard|last=Bienstock|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/megadeth-12-great-and-occasionally-obscure-covers-thrash-kings|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHBQUTVAwzx/?hl=en|work=[[Megadeth]]|via=[[Instagram]]|title=Happy Halloween! MTV's 'Night of the Living Megadeth' Halloween Special 1994. 🎃 Happy Halloween everyone! Have a ghoul time today and stay safe!|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061941/https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHBQUTVAwzx/?hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The release of Youthanasia was also followed by a brief South American tour to promote the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guestpectacular.com/artists/megadeth/events/tour/youthanasia|work=guestpectacular.com|title=Megadeth on tour Youthanasia|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061945/https://guestpectacular.com/artists/megadeth/events/tour/youthanasia|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another soundtrack appearance, "Diadems" on ''[[Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight]]'', kicked off 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tales-from-the-crypt-demon-knight-original-soundtrack--mw0000627023|title=Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight [Original Soundtrack] Review by Alex Henderson|first=Alex|last=Henderson|access-date=May 29, 2022|work=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529094159/https://www.allmusic.com/album/tales-from-the-crypt-demon-knight-original-soundtrack--mw0000627023|url-status=live}}</ref> Megadeth spent the first two months of the year on the "Youthanasia" tour with [[Corrosion of Conformity]] in tow.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/megadeth?page=1&year=1995|title=Megadeth's 1995 Concert & Tour History|work=concertarchives.org|access-date=May 29, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061942/https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/megadeth?page=1&year=1995|url-status=live}}</ref> In March, the ''[[Hidden Treasures (EP)|Hidden Treasures]]'' compilation hit European stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release/d7e5e5de-c1a9-4864-9620-2645d8b275f5|work=[[MusicBrainz]]|access-date=May 29, 2022|title=Release "Youthanasia" by Megadeth|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824062012/https://musicbrainz.org/release/d7e5e5de-c1a9-4864-9620-2645d8b275f5|url-status=live}}</ref> The "Evolver: The Making of Youthanasia" home video followed in May, and ''Hidden Treasures'' made it to the U.S. and Japan in July, just in time for the start of the "Reckoning Day" tour with special guests [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]], [[Korn]] and [[Fear Factory]]. In September the band performed at the "[[Monsters of Rock]]" festival in South America, Peru.

A [[Grammy]] nomination for "Paranoid" began 1996 for Megadeth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9601/grammy_noms/grammy_list.html|work=[[CNN]]|title=List of Grammy nominees|date=January 4, 1996|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014085609/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9601/grammy_noms/grammy_list.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Enlisting [[Fear (band)|Fear]] singer [[Lee Ving]], Mustaine released the album ''[[The Craving (album)|The Craving]]'' under the moniker "[[MD.45]]" with Suicidal Tendencies drummer [[Jimmy DeGrasso]] and [[Goldfinger (band)|Goldfinger]] bassist [[Kelly LeMieux]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/90s-metal-weirdness-md-45-the-craving/|work=angrymetalguy.com|first=Dr.|last=Fisting|date=April 29, 2012|title=90s Metal Weirdness: MD.45 – The Craving|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728211058/https://www.angrymetalguy.com/90s-metal-weirdness-md-45-the-craving/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, Megadeth returned to the studio, this time in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], to record ''[[Cryptic Writings]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/steve-wariner-records-with-thrash-metal-pioneers-megadeth-45401/|title=Steve Wariner Records With Thrash-Metal Pioneers Megadeth|first=Joseph|last=Hudak|access-date=June 6, 2022|date=June 24, 2015|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024010903/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/steve-wariner-records-with-thrash-metal-pioneers-megadeth-45401/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/revisiting_cryptic_writings_by_megadeth-68865|title=Revisiting 'Cryptic Writings' by Megadeth|first=Maria|last=Pro|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2022|work=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025212756/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/revisiting_cryptic_writings_by_megadeth-68865|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Cryptic Writings'' (1997) included thrashing songs like "Vortex" and "FFF", which were reminiscent of Megadeth's older material,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-megadeth-cryptic-writings/|work=[[Metal Forces]]|first=Neil|last=Arnold|access-date=June 6, 2022|title=MEGADETH – Cryptic Writings (1997)|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121200849/http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-megadeth-cryptic-writings/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/megadeth-cryptic-writings/|work=sleazeroxx.com|title=Megadeth: 'Cryptic Writings'|first=Ruben|last=Mosqueda|date=June 17, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920145534/https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/megadeth-cryptic-writings/|url-status=live}}</ref> alongside radio-friendly fare like "[[Trust (Megadeth song)|Trust]]", which reached the 5th spot on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/best-megadeth-songs-top-15-8210738/|title=The 15 Best Megadeth Songs: Critic's Picks|first=Christa|last=Titus|date=March 15, 2018|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407214111/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/best-megadeth-songs-top-15-8210738/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June, [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]] opened for the band on tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/megadeth?page=4&year=1997#concert-table|title=Megadeth's 1997 Concert & Tour History|access-date=June 6, 2022|work=concertarchives.org|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061942/https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/megadeth?page=4&year=1997#concert-table|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chaos Comics]] released "The Cryptic Writings of Megadeth" comic books in August,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/799665/|work=[[Grand Comics Database]]|access-date=June 6, 2022|title=Cryptic Writings of Megadeth #1|archive-date=December 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227235147/http://www.comics.org/issue/799665/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a remix of "Almost Honest" showed up on the "[[Mortal Kombat Annihilation]]" soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/almost-honest-mt0006197328|title=Almost Honest by Megadeth - Track Info|access-date=June 6, 2022|work=[[Allmusic]]|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061941/https://www.allmusic.com/song/almost-honest-mt0006197328|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mustaine's daughter, Electra Mustaine, was born on January 28, 1998, the same month that "Trust" was nominated for a Grammy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://megadeth.com/news/2022/happy-birthday-electra-mustaine-3/|work=[[Megadeth]]|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=June 1, 2022|title=Happy Birthday Elecra Mustaine!|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601095831/https://megadeth.com/news/2022/happy-birthday-electra-mustaine-3/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/megadeth-into-glory-ride|work=[[MetalHammer]]|via=Loudersound|first=Dave|last=Ling|date=June 7, 2007|access-date=June 1, 2022|title=Megadeth: Into Glory Ride|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601095832/https://www.loudersound.com/features/megadeth-into-glory-ride|url-status=live}}</ref> Megadeth played on the [[Howard Stern Show]] and that summer took part in [[Ozzfest]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/flashback-david-bowie-plays-howard-sterns-44th-birthday-bash-in-1998-53731/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=February 4, 2014|title=Flashback: David Bowie Plays Howard Stern's 44th Birthday Bash in 1998|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616122933/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/flashback-david-bowie-plays-howard-sterns-44th-birthday-bash-in-1998-53731/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ozzy.com/archives/tour/ozzfest-1998|work=ozzy.com|access-date=June 6, 2022|title=Ozzfest 1998|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624033232/https://www.ozzy.com/archives/tour/ozzfest-1998|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days after Nick Menza had undergone surgery for a benign knee tumor, he received a call from Mustaine informing him that his services would no longer be needed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/nick-menza-i-was-fired-from-megadeth-two-days-after-surgery|work=RockRage|via=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=February 19, 2002|access-date=June 6, 2022|title=NICK MENZA: "I Was Fired From MEGADETH Two Days After Surgery"|archive-date=July 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713193330/https://blabbermouth.net/news/nick-menza-i-was-fired-from-megadeth-two-days-after-surgery|url-status=live}}</ref> Jimmy DeGrasso, who Mustaine had played with previously in MD.45, fulfilled Menza's duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/nick-menza-obituary|work=[[Metal Hammer]]|via=[[Loudersound]]|first=Dom|last=Lawson|date=May 24, 2016|title=Nick Menza: Obituary|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920091244/https://www.loudersound.com/features/nick-menza-obituary|url-status=live}}</ref> On New Year's Eve, Megadeth opened for Black Sabbath at [[Chase Field]] alongside [[Soulfly]], Slayer, and Pantera.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/megadeth-black-sabbath-db2d1c7a-ac85-409d-a2cf-117452f6a195|work=concertarchives.org|access-date=June 6, 2022|title=Dec 31, 1998: Megadeth / Black Sabbath at Chase Field Phoenix, Arizona, United States|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824061942/https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/megadeth-black-sabbath-db2d1c7a-ac85-409d-a2cf-117452f6a195|url-status=live}}</ref>

While touring after ''Cryptic Writings,'' Mustaine told interviewers that songs like "She-Wolf" and "Vortex" had reinvigorated his love for classic music by bands like [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Motörhead]], and that he intended to write an album that was "1/2 Peace Sells, 1/2 Cryptic Writings"; however, after hearing about a comment that [[Lars Ulrich]] had made in the press in which he said he wished Mustaine would take more "risks", intentions changed. Managers and producers had more input. The song "[[Crush 'Em]]" was written with the express purpose of being played in wrestling arenas. In later years, Mustaine would blame much of this period on Friedman's desire to go in a more "[[pop music|pop]]" direction. Recorded with producer [[Dann Huff]], again in Nashville, ''[[Risk (Megadeth album)|Risk]]'' was released on August 31, 1999. "Crush 'Em" made it onto the ''Universal Soldier: The Return'' soundtrack and into WCW wrestling events (notably played live on Monday Nitro). In July, the band covered "Never Say Die" for a second Black Sabbath tribute. They closed the [[Woodstock '99]] music festival and again opened for Iron Maiden in Europe. The year ended with Marty Friedman announcing his departure from the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/marty-friedman-explains-decision-to-leave-megadeth-i-just-couldnt-go-on-anymore|title=MARTY FRIEDMAN Explains Decision To Leave MEGADETH: 'I Just Couldn't Go On Anymore'|date=August 11, 2014|work=[[Wondering Sound]]|via=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601095834/https://blabbermouth.net/news/marty-friedman-explains-decision-to-leave-megadeth-i-just-couldnt-go-on-anymore|url-status=live}}</ref>