Megadeth

Released: September 19, 1986

Songwriter: Dave Mustaine

Producer: Randy Burns Dave Mustaine

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
The light that fills my lonely cell is blocked out by the key
That locks the door to this hell, the place they wanted me
Time's racing like the wind, execution's near
Oh, Lord, I wait for death, and yes, I have no fear
I recall that night, my every breath and step along the way
Closed my eyes, walking as danger paved the way
The Devil and the darkness, let her evil wander free
Here on Devil's Island, the final stop for me

[Chorus]
Devil's Island
Devil's Island

[Verse 2]
Oh, there is no escape, the sea is full of sharks
Tide takes you away and smash you on the rock
The sun is shining, but feel not today
Its warmth, it's dying and fading away

[Chorus]
Devil's Island
Here I stay
Devil's Island

[Verse 3]
Oh, hear the call from the grave beyond
Oh, so pernicious, her soul it creates song
As there is no man that is here upon the Earth
Able to terminate our noisome will since birth
The priest that reads the sermon is walking next to me
To the stake, my last request, to have her burn with me
But, so it did, the heavens opened, rain began to fall
The final judgment came and was spread before you all!

[Bridge]
Final judgment...

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
Old, weak, and feeble, and the lesson taught to me
Stay away from evil, she doesn't care for me
She haunts me in my sleep, though I tore that page away
Here on Devil's Island, I'll always have to stay

[Chorus]
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Here I am

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island

After being kicked out of Metallica, Dave Mustaine decided to form a Thrash Metal band that not only rivaled his former band, but played faster, more technical Metal. Along with bassist David ‘Junior’ Ellefson and a revolving door of guitarists and drummers, Mustaine set the world afire as Megadeth became known as the world’s state-of-the-art Speed Metal band throughout the 80s and the early 90s. One of the Big Four of Thrash Metal, Megadeth remains one of Metal’s most popular acts today.

However, Dave Mustaine’s fledgling band got off to a shaky start. Initially unable to find like-minded individuals, it was not until an altercation with his (underage) downstairs neighbours Dave Ellefson and Greg Handevidt, that led to him buying them beer and forming the first incarnation of the band with drummer Dijon Carruthers in 1983.

The band was named after a political pamphlet that referred to a “megadeath” (one million deaths by nuclear explosion):

more tracks from the album

Anthology: Set the World Afire

From the albums

Megadeth popular songs

Devils IslandMegadeth

Megadeth

Anthology: Set the World Afire