"Blackmail the Universe" is a 2004 song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, written by frontman Dave Mustaine. It was released as a promotional single from their 2004 album The System Has Failed.[3]

Background

"Blackmail the Universe" is one of the most political songs Megadeth has, and is filled with attitude.[4][5][6] The song starts with a news report of Air Force One being shot down.[1][7][8] It features lyrics about nuclear war, terrorism and tensions in the Middle East.[9][10] The song marks a return to the thrash metal that the band played in their early days.[4][11] It has been described as similar to the song and album Rust in Peace, not only lyrically, but musically too.[12][13][14][15]

"Blackmail the Universe" has been played 133 times live by the band.[16] The concert tour for The System Has Failed was titled after this song.[17]

Music video

A music video for "Blackmail the Universe" was recorded on October 9, 2005, and was featured on That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires[18] (although it was also released separately).[19] The video was directed by Michael J. Sarna.[1]

Reception

"Blackmail the Universe" has been noted as a highlight of the album by many reviewers.[8][12][20][21] It has been described as one of, if not "...the (band's) best since Countdown to Extinction".[8][22][23] BraveWords praised Chris Poland's guitar work on the song.[24] The song is the most streamed from the album on Spotify.[25]

Other appearances

"Blackmail the Universe" has appeared on many Megadeth releases, including the greatest hits album Warheads on Foreheads and the aforementioned That One Night live album.[26]

Track listing

CD[27]
No.TitleLength
1."Blackmail the Universe"4:33
2."Kick The Chair"3:57

Personnel

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes,[28] except where noted.

Megadeth
Session musicians
Production
  • Produced and recorded by Jeff Balding and Dave Mustaine
  • Mixed by Jeff Balding
  • Assisted by David Bryant, Ralph Patlan, Scott Kidd, Jesse Amend, Lance Dean, and Jed Hackett
  • Additional recording by David Bryant, Jed Hackett, and John Saylor
  • Mastered by Adam Ayan
  • Digital editing by Mark Hagen and Jed Hackett
  • Production coordination by Mike "Frog" Griffith
  • Artwork by Larry West[30][31]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Megadeth: Blackmail the Universe". IMDb. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Clouse, Matthew (September 28, 2017). "Megadeth: 'The System Has Failed' Album Review". Odyssey. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Megadeth – Blackmail The Universe". Discogs. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Arnold, Neil. "Megadeth The System Has Failed". Metal Forces Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Schacht, Brett (October 5, 2019). "Retro Riffs: MEGADETH 'The System Has Failed' Album Review & Stream". Riff Relevant. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. ^ Alper (April 21, 2018). "Underrated Albums: Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Mega Depth. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Face Off. September 13, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "The System Has Failed". Metal Crypt. July 19, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. ^ "MEGADETH – SANCTUARY HYPES UP THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Brave Words. July 27, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. ^ "The System Has Failed". Plugged In. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "MEGADETH — THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Metal Music Archives. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Morg (February 6, 2019). "Megadeth – 'The System Has Failed' Remastered Review". The Metal Report. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. ^ "Megadeth The System Has Failed". The Metal Forge. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ^ Mike. "MEGADETH – THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Metal Reviews. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "Megadeth – The System Has Failed". Metal Rules. November 1, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  16. ^ "Blackmail the Universe performed by Megadeth". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "MEGADETH: More 'Blackmail the Universe Tour' Dates Announced". Blabbermouth. October 19, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  18. ^ That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires CD liner notes. Image Entertainment. 2007. p. 3.
  19. ^ "MEGADETH -BLACKMAIL THE UNIVERSE (THAT ONE NIGHT) [HD]". Megadeth.com. February 21, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "Megadeth – The World Needs A Hero and The System Has Failed album reviews". Louder Sound. February 15, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "Megadeth "The System Has Failed"". Guitar 9. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  22. ^ Guard, Old (August 28, 2004). "Megadeth – The System Has Failed Review". Your Last Rites. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "Megadeth: The World Needs A Hero/The System Has Failed (Reissues)". Spectrum Culture. February 27, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. ^ Balazs, Nick (March 29, 2019). "MEGADETH – THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO / THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED". Brave Words. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. ^ "Blackmail The Universe – Megadeth". Spotify. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. ^ Thomas, Fred. "Warheads on Foreheads – Megadeth – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  27. ^ "Megadeth – Blackmail The Universe". Discogs. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. ^ The System Has Failed liner notes. Sanctuary Records. 2004. p. 15.
  29. ^ a b The Scorpion. "SCORPION Q+A". Megadeth.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  30. ^ ""Set the World Afire!"". Larry West Productions. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  31. ^ ""Victory"". Larry West Productions. Retrieved December 6, 2022.