Editing Risk (Megadeth album)

{{Short description|1999 studio album by Megadeth}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Risk
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Megadeth]]
| cover        = MegadethRisk.jpg
| border       = yes
| alt          = 
| released     = {{Start date|1999|8|31}}
| recorded     = January 4, 1999–April 22, 1999<ref name=RiskAlbumNotes/>
| venue        = 
| studio       = The Tracking Room, Nashville<ref name=RiskAlbumNotes/>
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[alternative metal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/dave-mustaine-says-he-laughed-nu-metal-bands-megadeth-were-forced-tour | title=Dave Mustaine Says He Laughed at Nu-Metal Bands Megadeth Were "Forced" to Tour with|website=revolvermag.com | date=September 28, 2022 }}</ref>}}
| length       = {{Duration|m=51|s=34}}
| label        = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| producer     = {{hlist|[[Dann Huff]]|[[Dave Mustaine]]
|}}
| prev_title   = [[Cryptic Writings]]
| prev_year    = 1997
| next_title   = [[The World Needs a Hero]]
| next_year    = 2001
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Risk
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Crush 'Em]]
 | single1date = May 26, 1999<ref>{{cite web |title=Megadeth - Crush 'Em |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/10581549-Megadeth-Crush-Em |website=Discogs |date=May 26, 1999 |access-date=December 6, 2022}}</ref>
 | single2     = [[Breadline (song)|Breadline]]
 | single2date = February 16, 2000
 | single3     = Insomnia
 | single3date = 2000
}}
{{Extra album cover
 | header  = Alternative cover
 | type    = studio
 | cover   = Megadeth-Risk.jpg
 | border  =
 | alt     =
 | caption = 2004 remastered edition
}}
}}
'''''Risk''''' is the eighth studio album by American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Megadeth]], released on August 31, 1999, by [[Capitol Records]], the band's last album to be released by the label.<ref>{{Citation |title=Megadeth - Risk Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/risk-mw0000244020 |access-date=October 21, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The first Megadeth album since 1990 to feature a lineup change, ''Risk'' marks the studio debut of drummer [[Jimmy DeGrasso]] with the band, as well as the final appearance of longtime guitarist [[Marty Friedman]], who announced his departure a year later.<ref name=FriedmanLeaves>{{cite magazine|title=Megadeth Swaps Guitarists In Mid-Tour|url=http://www.billboard.com/#/news/megadeth-swaps-guitarists-in-mid-tour-869369.story|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=October 6, 2012}}</ref> Meant to be a breakthrough on alternative rock radio, ''Risk'' received a mixed response because of the great deviation from the band's traditional sound. The backlash ultimately resulted in the band returning to a heavier sound on their next album, ''[[The World Needs a Hero]]''.

Megadeth frontman [[Dave Mustaine]] has blamed the record's lack of success on the fact that it was released under the "Megadeth" moniker: "if anybody else's name was on 'Risk', it would have sold".<ref name=Mustaine2001>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundspike.com/story2/3162/-interview-dave-mustaine-of-megadeth/|title=Interview: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth|date=June 1, 2001| work=Soundspike|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221211020/http://www.soundspike.com/story2/3162/-interview-dave-mustaine-of-megadeth/|archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> The album debuted at number 16 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. As with the rest of Megadeth's studio records released by Capitol, the album was [[remix]]ed and [[remaster]]ed in 2004, with several bonus tracks added. This reissue also featured a different cover.

==Background and release==
''Risk'' followed the band's 1997 release ''[[Cryptic Writings]]'', which according to [[Nielsen Soundscan]], had sold 850,000 copies and won widespread praise from [[Mainstream rock|rock radio]] programmers. Referring to the upcoming record, Rob Gordon, a VP of marketing at [[Capitol Records]], stated that "before the last record, we'd maybe had one track at rock radio, and it would be over. With this record, like the last one, I think we'll have four-plus again."<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last=Reesman|first=Bryan|title=Megadet's 'Risk' Set To Ride Metal's Revival|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 7, 1999|volume=111|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+risk&pg=PA15|access-date=August 5, 2013}}</ref>

The title stems from a comment by [[Dave Mustaine]]'s former [[Metallica]] bandmate [[Lars Ulrich]], who suggested to Mustaine that he should take more "risks" with his music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/bandmember.php?member_id=444|title=Dave Mustaine Biography|publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|date=August 4, 2008|access-date=September 26, 2011}}</ref> According to Mustaine, he was also encouraged to experiment by [[Marty Friedman]]'s desire to indulge in his [[Pop music|pop]] sensibilities.<ref name="Decibel"/> On the other hand, newcomer [[Jimmy DeGrasso]] wanted to do a "heavy record", unlike the rest of the band who wanted to try out something different.<ref name="Metal Rules">{{cite web|last=Syrjala|first=Marko|title=Jimmy DeGrasso – Alice Cooper, Hail!, F5, ex- Megadeth, Y&T, Suicidal Tendencies|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2010/01/20/jimmy-degrasso-alice-cooper-hail-f5-ex-megadeth-yt-suicidal-tendencies/|work=[[Metal Rules]]|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref> As bassist [[David Ellefson]] recalls, the band's manager Bud Prager had told them that they needed "to do something that will make all of their contemporaries knock themselves on the head and say, 'Why didn't we think of that'?".<ref name="Rockmetal"/> This decision resulted in mixed reviews for both the band and the album; a good portion did not favor the new sound and image, while others<ref name="SputnikReview">{{cite web|last=Stagno|first=Mike|title=Megadeth - Risk|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9218/Megadeth-Risk/|website=Sputnikmusic|date=September 19, 2006|access-date=October 20, 2012}}</ref><ref name=2004RiskReview/> were more receptive to the band's attempts at experimenting with their sound and trying something different.

Megadeth chose to produce the album once again with [[Dann Huff]] in [[Nashville]], satisfied with the success of their previous record. The band started writing the songs right after finishing the tour in support of ''Cryptic Writings''. It took them five to six weeks to write the songs, and they went to Nashville in January 1999 to record the album. The recording process lasted four months, and according to Ellefson, it was a "long haul".<ref name="Rockmetal">{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Gerri|title=Interview with David Ellefson|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_renegade1999.html|work=Rockmetal.art.pl|access-date=August 5, 2013|archive-date=July 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711204934/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_renegade1999.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mixing on the album began April 23 and finished May 21 at Masterfonics in Nashville, Tennessee.<ref name=RiskAlbumNotes/> The original American pressing of the album was released as an [[enhanced CD]], and featured a brief documentary about the making of the album as bonus content. Several European editions of the album contained a "No Risk Disk" as a bonus item, featuring one song from each of Megadeth's previous six major label albums. Lastly, the Japanese version of the album includes a bonus track, an instrumental cover version of the theme of the video game ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''. In 2004, a [[remix]]ed and [[remaster]]ed version of the album was released, featuring three bonus tracks, all different mixes of songs on the album.<ref name="RiskMegadeth">{{cite web|title=Megadeth Discography - Risk|url=http://www.megadeth.com/discography.php?era_id=9|work=Megadeth.com|access-date=March 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320171526/http://www.megadeth.com/discography.php?era_id=9|archive-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> The cover for the remaster was noticeably different from the original, featuring a scene from the music video for "Insomnia".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-s-insomnia-remixed-and-remastered-free-download-available|title=Megadeth's "Insomnia" Remixed And Remastered|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=June 21, 2004|access-date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> [[Vic Rattlehead]]'s face can be seen on the mousetrap of this cover, while he did not appear on the original. In addition, a couple of tracks have slightly different song durations—some shorter, some longer—with the most noticeable one being "I'll Be There," which features an additional 53 seconds.

Like the band's previous album ''Cryptic Writings'', it is the second Megadeth album not to feature the band's classic logo on the front cover, but it appears on the album's remastered version.

== Songs ==
Three singles were released in support of the album: "[[Crush 'Em]]", "[[Breadline (song)|Breadline]]", and "Insomnia".<ref name="AMCharts">{{cite web|title=Megadeth - Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/megadeth-mn0000406294/awards|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref> All three received music videos. Additionally, "Crush 'Em" was featured in [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]]'s 1999 movie ''[[Universal Soldier: The Return]]''. Mustaine originally wrote the song hoping that it would be adopted at arenas nationwide as a new [[Stadium anthem|sports anthem]]. After its release as a single, the song has been broadcast during [[National Hockey League|NHL]] games and [[Professional wrestling|pro wrestling]] events.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mancini|first=Robert|title=Megadeth Try To Build On "Crush 'Em" Success With "Risk"|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1432006/megadeth-try-build-on-crush-em-success-with-risk.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130806083958/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1432006/megadeth-try-build-on-crush-em-success-with-risk.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2013|work=MTV|access-date=August 6, 2013}}</ref>

Jeff Treppel spoke positively about the album's opener "Insomnia", naming it "one of the best Megadeth songs of the past 15 years". The song features swirling Middle Eastern strings, crunching guitar line and, according to Treppel, some of Mustaine's most demented lyrics. Treppel further described "Ecstasy" as "grunge ballad" and noted that it sounds like a "reject from ''Cryptic Writings''". He had mixed feelings about "Seven", and observed "The Doctor Is Calling" like a tune that "aims for [[Creepiness|creepy]], but hits [[wikt:cheesy|cheesy]] instead".<ref name="Decibel"/> By contrast, DeGrasso felt that "The Doctor Is Calling" along with "Prince of Darkness" were "definitely heavy songs" with "really dark lyrics on them".<ref name="Metal Rules"/> Ellefson described the tracks "Breadline" and "Wanderlust" as "melodic" with "very modern-sounding" grooves.<ref name="Rockmetal"/> Neil Arnold from ''[[Metal Forces]]'' opined that "Breadline" is "as melodic and commercial as Megadeth gets", while noting that "Wanderlust" and "I'll Be There" are "probably two of the band's most underrated songs".<ref name="Metal Forces"/>

All of the released singles charted on the Billboard's [[Mainstream Rock Chart]], with "Crush 'Em" and "Breadline" breaking into the Top 10.<ref name=AMCharts/> Aside from just being released as a conventional single, "Breadline" was also released as its own EP in Japan featuring several versions of the song, and remixes of other songs from ''Risk'' and Megadeth's back catalog.<ref name=RiskMegadeth/> After leaving Megadeth, Friedman would later cover this song on his solo album ''[[Future Addict]]''.

== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=2004RiskReview>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Risk (2004 Remix/Remaster) - Megadeth|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=risk-mw0000244020|pure_url=yes}}|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
|rev2score = 4/10<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |author-link1=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties |publisher=[[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |year=2007 |location=[[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |isbn=978-1-894959-62-9 |page=269}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev3Score = B−<ref name=EWReview>{{cite magazine|last=Morgan|first=Laura|title=Risk Review|url=http://www.ew.com/article/1999/10/01/risk|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=October 1, 1999|access-date=November 11, 2012|archive-date=July 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731120841/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,270955,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev4Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="LA review">{{cite news|last=Masuo|first=Sandy|date=August 27, 1999|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-27-ca-4042-story.html|title=Record Rack: *** Megadeth, "Risk," Capitol.|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Metal Forces]]''
|rev5Score = 6/10<ref name="Metal Forces">{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=Neil|title=Megadeth: Risk|url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-megadeth-risk/|work=[[Metal Forces]]|access-date=August 8, 2013}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
|rev6Score = 0/10<ref name="NME">{{cite web|last=Wells|first=Steven|author-link=Steven Wells|title=Megadeth - Risk|website=[[NME]] |date=September 6, 1999|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990806110049reviews.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817193105/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990806110049reviews.html|archive-date=August 17, 2000|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
|rev7Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Q>{{cite web|title=Megadeth - Risk CD Album|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7778410&style=music&fulldesc=T|work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|publisher=[[CD Universe]]|access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev8Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=RSAlbum>{{cite book|last=Brackett|first=Nathan|author2=Christian Hoard |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2004|location=New York City, New York|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/n547 534]|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|url=https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac|url-access=registration|quote=rolling stone megadeth album guide.}}</ref>
|rev9 = ''Sputnikmusic''
|rev9Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=SputnikReview/>
}}

The album received a mixed response from music critics.<ref name="Metal Forces"/> [[AllMusic]]'s reviewer Steve Huey gave a sympathetic, if not exactly favorable, review of the remixed and remastered 2004 pressing of ''Risk''. Huey stated that the album had "aged gracefully," compared to Metallica's ''[[Load (album)|Load]]'' (1996) and ''[[Reload (Metallica album)|ReLoad]]'' (1997). However, he did note that the band had lost their edge on the album.<ref name=2004RiskReview/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reviewer Laura Morgan compared "Insomnia" to ''[[Broken (Nine Inch Nails EP)|Broken]]''-era [[Nine Inch Nails]] and gave the album a B−, though she criticized Mustaine's vocal performance on the album.<ref name=EWReview/> ''The New Rolling Stone Album Guide'' gave the album three stars out of five and noted that the album "had its moments".<ref name=RSAlbum/> Mike Stagno of Sputnikmusic, taking into account that the album has a different appeal, was somewhat positive in his review. Stagno cited the first few tracks as the album's "harder edge". However, he noted that some of the following softer tracks were "standout tracks" as well. Stagno did note, however, that some of the emotion on the album was "cheesy".<ref name=SputnikReview/> Amy Sciarretto of ''[[CMJ New Music Report]]'' noted that ''Risk'' marked another significant change in Megadeth's sound and called it a "logical stylistic progression" from their previous album. According to her, Mustaine's "biting lyrics" and "power riffs" were toned down, finding Megadeth "traveling out of [[thrash metal]] territory".<ref>{{cite journal|first=Amy|last=Sciarretto|title=Megadeth: Risk (Capitol)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aCLLK8t9Ob8C&q=megadeth+risk&pg=PA34|journal=[[CMJ New Music Report]]|date=September 6, 1999|access-date=August 5, 2013}}</ref> [[Steven Wells]] of ''[[NME]]'' panned the album, giving it a 0/10 score and saying that the album was the American equivalent of the retro stylings of [[Travis (band)|Travis]] and [[Kula Shaker]], as well as calling the album "corporate mock rock".<ref name=NME/>

In a retrospective review, Jeff Treppel from ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' wrote that ''Risk'' was "definitely Megadeth's most adventurous record" and characterized it as a "decent [[hard rock]] album that should have never been put out under the Megadeth name".<ref name="Decibel">{{cite web|last=Treppel|first=Jeff|title=Justify Your Shitty Taste: Megadeth's "Risk"|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2011/06/01/justify-your-shitty-taste-megadeth-s-risk/|work=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]|date=June 2011|access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref> Dave Mustaine has since expressed that, although he believes that ''Risk'' is a great record, it "should not have had the name Megadeth on it, because if anybody else's name was on 'Risk,' it would have sold".<ref name=Mustaine2001/> However, Mustaine has also stated that "Crush 'Em" was "probably the dumbest" song that the band has ever recorded and said that he was "not too fond of" it.<ref name="DumbestSong">{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=Carlos|title=Dave Mustaine on the Megadeth Song He Isn't 'Too Fond' Of|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2013/04/03/dave-mustaine-megadeth-song-he-regrets-writing/|work=[[Noisecreep]]|publisher=AOL Music|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>

When speaking to [[Eddie Trunk]] on his ''Trunk Nation LA Invasion: Live from the [[Rainbow Bar and Grill]]'' podcast in late November 2018, Mustaine said that the reason for ''Risk'' was him "capitulating to Marty's desires to be more of an alternative band, and we kept slowing down and slowing down and slowing down." He would again mention that if the album was released under a different name, it would've sold well, but that "People wanted a Megadeth record. They didn't wanna see Dave bending over backwards to keep Marty Friedman happy, 'cause Marty wanted us to sound like fucking [[Dishwalla]]." Mustaine says he doesn't regret making ''Risk'' or the song "Crush 'Em", and that he wanted Friedman and [[Nick Menza]] to be happy and remain in the band, "And after a while, I just figured, 'I don't need this shit.' And Marty went this way, Nick went that way, and we just all kind of broke up."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-on-megadeths-risk-that-was-me-capitulating-to-marty-friedmans-desires-to-be-more-of-an-alternative-band/|title=DAVE MUSTAINE On MEGADETH's 'Risk': 'That Was Me Capitulating To MARTY FRIEDMAN's Desires To Be More Of An Alternative Band'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref> Additionally, Mustaine would later state that he believed "Wanderlust" to be one of the best songs he had ever written, noting the song's country rock influenced style.<ref name="MusicRadar2019">{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Amit |title=Dave Mustaine: "I suck at a lot of things, like walking across a tightrope, but I definitely don't suck at guitar!" |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/dave-mustaine-i-suck-at-a-lot-of-things-like-walking-across-a-tightrope-but-i-definitely-dont-suck-at-guitar |website=[[MusicRadar]].com |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=March 19, 2019}}</ref>

Friedman says that he has no regrets about ''Risk'', and that "anything that needed to be said from me about that was probably said at the time. I haven't even thought about that since then, so I couldn't give you an intelligent answer. I'm barely thinking about what I did yesterday, much less back then." He would also say that everybody involved in the album "was doing the best that they possibly could" and assured that "anything was done with the best of intentions and the hardest work."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/marty-friedman-on-megadeths-risk-everybody-involved-with-it-was-doing-the-best-that-they-possibly-could/|title=MARTY FRIEDMAN On MEGADETH's 'Risk': 'Everybody Involved With It Was Doing The Best That They Possibly Could'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>

==Track listing==
All music composed by [[Dave Mustaine]] and [[Marty Friedman (musician)|Marty Friedman]] except where noted.<ref name="RiskAlbumNotes">{{cite book|title=Risk liner notes|year=1999|publisher=Capitol Records|pages=2–5, 9, 11, 13, 15}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = Insomnia
| lyrics1 = Mustaine
| music1 = Mustaine
| length1 = 4:34
| title2 = Prince of Darkness
| lyrics2 = Mustaine
| music2 = 
| length2 = 6:25
| title3 = Enter the Arena
| music3 = Mustaine
| length3 = 0:52
| lyrics3 = Mustaine, Bud Prager
| title4 = [[Crush 'Em]]
| lyrics4 = Mustaine, [[Brian Howe (singer)|Brian Howe]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mustaine |first1=Dave |title=MEGADETH - REVELATIONS |url=https://bravewords.com/news/megadeth-revelations |website=Brave Words |access-date=December 13, 2022 |date=July 8, 2004}}</ref> Prager
| music4 =
| length4 = 4:57
| title5 = [[Breadline (song)|Breadline]]
| lyrics5 = Mustaine, Prager
| music5 =
| length5 = 4:24
| title6 = The Doctor Is Calling
| lyrics6 = Mustaine, Prager
| music6 =
| length6 = 5:40
| title7 = I'll Be There
| lyrics7 = Mustaine, Prager
| music7 =
| length7 = 4:20
| title8 = Wanderlust
| lyrics8 = Mustaine
| music8 =
| length8 = 5:22
| title9 = Ecstasy
| lyrics9 = Mustaine
| music9 =
| length9 = 4:28
| title10 = Seven
| lyrics10 = Mustaine, [[David Ellefson]]
| music10 = Mustaine
| length10 = 5:00
| title11 = Time: The Beginning
| lyrics11 = Mustaine, Ellefson
| music11 = Mustaine
| length11 = 3:04
| title12 = Time: The End
| lyrics12 = Mustaine
| music12 = Mustaine
| length12 = 2:28
| total_length = 51:34<!--All track times sourced from CD release "7243 4 99134 0 0".-->
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track
| title13 = [[Duke Nukem]] Theme
| lyrics13 = (instrumental)
| music13 = [[Lee Jackson (composer)|Lee Jackson]]
| length13 = 3:54
| total_length = 55:28
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2004 remixed/remastered edition
| title1 = Insomnia
| lyrics1 = Mustaine
| music1 = Mustaine
| length1 = 4:16
| title2 = Prince of Darkness
| lyrics2 = Mustaine
| music2 =
| length2 = 6:27
| title3 = Enter the Arena
| lyrics3 = Mustaine, Bud Prager
| music3 = Mustaine
| length3 = 0:44
| title4 = [[Crush 'Em]]
| lyrics4 = Mustaine, Prager
| music4 =
| length4 = 4:54
| title5 = [[Breadline (song)|Breadline]]
| lyrics5 = Mustaine, Prager
| music5 =
| length5 = 4:32
| title6 = The Doctor Is Calling
| lyrics6 = Mustaine, Prager
| music6 =
| length6 = 5:44
| title7 = I'll Be There
| lyrics7 = Mustaine, Prager
| music7 =
| length7 = 5:13
| title8 = Wanderlust
| lyrics8 = Mustaine
| music8 =
| length8 = 5:48
| title9 = Ecstasy
| lyrics9 = Mustaine
| music9 =
| length9 = 4:31
| title10 = Seven
| lyrics10 = Mustaine, [[David Ellefson]]
| music10 = Mustaine
| length10 = 4:46
| title11 = Time: The Beginning
| lyrics11 = Mustaine, Ellefson
| music11 = Mustaine
| length11 = 3:11
| title12 = Time: The End
| lyrics12 = Mustaine
| music12 = Mustaine
| length12 = 2:41
| title13 = Insomnia (Jeff Balding Mix)
| note13 =  bonus track
| lyrics13 =
| music13 =
| length13 = 4:19
| title14 = Breadline ([[Jack Joseph Puig]] Mix)
| note14 = bonus track
| lyrics14 = Mustaine, Prager
| music14 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length14 = 4:28
| title15 = Crush 'Em (Jock Mix)
| note15 = bonus track
| lyrics15 = Mustaine, Prager
| music15 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length15 = 5:10
| total_length = 55:31
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Limited edition bonus disc ("No Risk Disk")
| title1 = [[Peace Sells]]
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| length1 = 4:04
| title2 = [[In My Darkest Hour]]
| lyrics2 = Mustaine, Ellefson
| music2 =
| length2 = 6:20
| title3 = [[Holy Wars... The Punishment Due]]
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| length3 = 6:36
| title4 = [[Symphony of Destruction]]
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| length4 = 4:06
| title5 = [[A Tout le Monde]]
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| length5 = 4:31
| title6 = [[Use the Man]]
| lyrics6 =
| music6 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length6 = 4:37
|total_length = 30:14

}}

== Personnel ==
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name=RiskAlbumNotes/>
;Megadeth
* [[Dave Mustaine]] – vocals, guitars
* [[David Ellefson]] – bass
* [[Marty Friedman]] – guitars
* [[Jimmy DeGrasso]] – drums

;Production
*[[Record producer|Produced]] by [[Dann Huff]]; co-produced by Dave Mustaine
*[[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixed]] and [[Audio engineering|engineered]] by Jeff Balding with Mark Hagen
*[[audio mastering|Mastered]] by [[Bob Ludwig]]

;2004 reissue
*Produced by Dave Mustaine
*Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine
*Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean
*[[Digital audio editor|Edited]] by Lance Dean, Scott "Sarge" Harrison, and Keith Schreiber with Bo Caldwell
*Mastered by Tom Baker

==Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Album
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1999)
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position
|-
{{album chart|Austria|34|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|14|artist=Megadeth|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|39|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|European Albums ([[European Top 100 Albums]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-09-18.pdf|title=Eurochart Top 100 Albums - September 18, 1999|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=12|issue=23|page=20|date=September 18, 1999|access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref>
| align="center"| 44
|-
{{album chart|Finland|8|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|France|37|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|38|id=8714|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-10-09.pdf|title= Top National Sellers - October 10, 1999|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=16|issue=49|page=14|date=October 10, 1999|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>
| align="center"| 3
|-
! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=November 8, 2023}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Megadeth".</ref>
| align="center"| 33
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| align="center"| 11
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|27|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|31|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|34|date=19990912|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|17|artist=Megadeth|album=Risk|access-date=August 7, 2013|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|29|date=19990912|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|UKRock|2|date=19990912|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|16|artist=Megadeth|access-date=November 8, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|}
{{col-2}}
;Singles
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1999)
!scope="col"|Single
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position
|-
|rowspan="3"|US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]]<ref name=AMCharts/>
!scope="row"|"[[Crush 'Em]]"
|align="center"|6
|-
!scope="row"|"[[Breadline (song)|Breadline]]"
|align="center"|6
|-
!scope="row"|"Insomnia"
|align="center"|26
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Risk|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1999|type=album|region=Portugal|award=Silver|certref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=575125|title = Megadeth Risk Portuguese award disc (575125)|website=Eil.com}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|33026|name=Risk}}

{{Megadeth}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Risk (Megadeth Album)}}
[[Category:Megadeth albums]]
[[Category:1999 albums]]
[[Category:Capitol Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dann Huff]]
[[Category:Hard rock albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Alternative metal albums by American artists]]