Megadeth's greatest hits collection "Capital Punishment" is a nice sampling of Dave Mustaine & Company's Capital Records years, with some solid selections and a few outright classics, but serious Megadeth fans must agree that a few tunes are missing from this disc.

The new tunes, "Kill the King" and "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" find them back to their roots after the Risk LP (from which only "Crush 'Em" makes the collections cut), but the main focus is Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson's glory-day rockers. Two tunes, "Trust" and "Almost Honest" from the Cryptic Writings LP, are perhaps Megadeth's finest, songs perfectly constructed from start to finish. "Use the Man", also from Cryptic Writings, is also a superb selection. The only song missing from that excellent album I wish they'd included is "Vortex".

Other worthy tracks include "Train of Consequences" off Youthanasia, "Sweating Bullets" and "Symphony of Destruction" from Countdown to Extinction, "In My Darkest Hour" off the So Far, So Good...So What LP, and of course the classic "Peace Sells (But Who's Buying)" from the LP of the same name.

Overall, an excellent review of Megadeth from the late '80s into today. The only reason I've knocked my rating down a star is for the two or three tunes I wish could have been included, like "Angry Again" or "99 Ways to Die" from Hidden Treasures, or perhaps Megadeth's version of "Anarchy in the UK" off So Far. And if I'd have chosen any song off of Risk, it'd probably be "Insomnia".

Can't slam Dave Mustaine and the various lineups, however. Most everything they've done is light years better than the pap on radio. Megadeth continues to rock in a era in which most "popular" music has more to do with a Broadway Show than real rock 'n roll. Long live Megadeth, the band that has yet to slow down or play with a symphony orchestra! [Grab] the new album as soon as it comes out (May, 2001).

THE BAND: Dave Mustaine (lead vocals, guitar) and David Ellefson (bass) appear on all albums. Other band members featured through the years include: Marty Friedman (guitar), Chris Poland (guitar), Al Pitelli (guitar), Jeff Young (guitar), Nick Menza (drums), Jimmy DeGrasso (drums), Chuck Behler (drums), Gar Samuelson (drums).

THE DISC: (2000) 14 tracks clocking in at approximately 71 minutes. Included with the disc is a 10-page booklet containing song titles/credits/times, song lyrics, pictures of all album covers, and thank you's. This compilation follows the band from 1986-2000. Digitally remastered sound. Label - Capitol Records.

ALBUM REPRESENTATION: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying (1 song), So Far So Good... So What? (1), Rust In Peace (1), Countdown To Extinction (2), Youthanasia (2), Cryptic Writings (2), Risk (3), Unreleased (2).

COMMENTS: "Capitol Punishment" is a good mix of Megadeth songs, but it's far from complete. The more recent "Greatest Hits" (2005) has more tracks and minutes, but it too is lacking in the definitive song selection process. Mustaine needs to sell-out to Sony ("Essential" collections), Geffen ("Gold" collections) or Rhino (who is putting compilations together for everyone these days... and their sisters). And, let one of these companies make 2-discs full of their best music. THE GOOD: A lot of good music here including many of the staples (even if it does lean toward the band's newer material) - "Almost Honest", "Trust", "Train Of Consequences", "Sweating Bullets", "Symphony Of Destruction", "Hangar 18", "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", "Peace Sells", etc. The unreleased songs are good tracks (reminiscent of the "Youthanasia" era), but by no means classic. Songs are in reverse chronological order - a bonus in my book to have these in some kind of order. The remastered sound is crisp. THE NOT SO GOOD: I was never a fan of the danceable "Crush 'Em". The last track features the 4 minute "Peace Sells", followed by a long pause, which then leads into a mix of Megadeth songs "remixed"... comes off sounding like a kid trying to tune his parent's radio from the 1950's - complete with static et all. This to me is a waste of time used on the disc. Include the original version of "Peace Sells", and end it at that - giving you an extra 5 minutes (not to mention the 9+ minutes not used at the end of the disc all ready). I'm sure the label could have added 1/2/3 more tracks. Omissions - songs that needed to be here - "Foreclosure Of A Dream", "Skin O' My Teeth", and "Reckoning Day". Lesser songs that could've been here but didn't make the cut - "Prince Of Darkness", "Breadline", "Elysian Fields", "Into The Lungs Of Hell", "Take No Prisoners", and "Good Mourning / Black Friday". No album representation from "Hidden Treasures" ("Angry Again", "99 Ways To Die" and the Alice Cooper cover "No More Mr. Nice Guy"), or Megadeth's (demo) debut "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good" (1984). Here's hoping that one of the labels steps up to give the fans a 2-disc mix including some of the songs left off this release as well as adding songs from "The World Needs A Hero" (2001), and the very heavy and underrated "The System Has Failed" (2004). "Capitol Punishment" is a good release, but it's just scratching the surface (4 stars).

I almost forgot just how good Megadeth was until I saw their Behind the Music. I consider Megadeth to be the premier metal band with its ripping guitar sounds and thunderous bass provided by Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellesfson, the backbone of Megadeth. I'll admit I'm fairly new to the band's music. My first Megadeth album was "Rust In Peace". Now I own "Capitol Punishment". Nevertheless I have always had a ton of respect for Megadeth. The music is heavy and loud as thrash should be yet the songs are catchy enough to satisfy me. I love "Hangar 18" and "Holy Wars..." (from "Rust In Peace"). "In My Darkest Hour" and "Peace Sells" are classic faves of mine. I think the only flaw I see in this compilation is that there should have been a few more tracks from the band's earlier albums but I have enjoyed the loud, abrasive tracks such as "Symphony of Destruction", "Crush 'EM", and "Almost Honest". All the songs are excellent. For someone who really doesn't listen to much metal, I can honestly say that Megadeth is one of the best metal bands around and this is what metal should sound like.

Can't go wrong with an album that has all of your best songs, and that formula works well for Megadeth here. Some stand-outs:

"Tout le Monde", which is ballad-like, but of course Dave and co. would never stoop to simpering power ballads. Great song.

After that great song, "Train of Consequences" rolls up and knocks you upside the head with a sledgehammer. Whoever decided the order of the songs is underpaid. this is a great song.

"Kill the King" is a new track, but is certainly not out of place here. Fast paced and straight forward, no complaints.

"Use the Man" is an underrated track. Obviously Dave is talking a little about himself, and quite possibly people that he knew. I wish that he did introspective songs more often.

It's hard to pick good/bad songs when it's a greatest hits, but those are my favorites. "Peace Sells" is good, "Crush 'Em" is OK, but clearly not the best song off of "Risk".

If you are new to Megadeth, this is a great place to start. All killer, no filler. My only complaint is that I bought it without knowing what songs were on it (The unseen dangers of pre-ordering), so I was a little put off when I found out it was a greatest hits. No matter, it's still a great CD of the best of Megadeth.

This is an awesome collection of Megadeth hits. It is perfect for anyone who has heard Deth on the radio or is a fan-come-lately.

I am a fan of the awesome riffs and great guitar solos that Megadeth has put into their music over the years and this collection does not show their muscle. Classic ragers such as "Bad Omen" and "My Last Words" are what Megadeth truly was about, but the absence of "Wake Up Dead" and "The Conjuring" is nearly unforgivable. The are several other tracks from other Deth cd's that should have been included: "Hook In Mouth", "Tornado Of Souls", "Foreclosure Of A Dream", "I'll Get Even"...and on and on. To further my disapproval I bring to your attention the absence of any songs from "Killing Is My Business...". I have managed to except this collection because I own all of Megadeth's cd's, but feel this does not properly represent Megadeth. The fact that it is not called their "Best" also makes this collection acceptable.

Don't get me wrong...I'm a huge Deth fan. I just feel this to be a release to please the masses rather than the long time headbangin' fan.

Combine this cd with "Rude Awakening" and you will be alright if you don't have all their cd's.