Megadeth

Released: November 10, 1994

Songwriter: Dave Mustaine Sean Harris

Producer: Dave Mustaine

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
I am the author, dream up your pain
Drink as did Bacchus, rebel just like Cain
Lord of the city I shall remain
All pandemonium, I shall reign
Sit in my fortress up on my hill
Drinking the wine until I've had my fill
Building up high, my castle walls
Oh, to veil my splendid fall

[Chorus]
I present you, I present to you
I present you this crown of worms
I present you, I present to you
I present you this crown of worms

[Verse 2]
Surrounding myself with misery
Drawn curtains heavy of my history
Exquisite I am, perfect unity
On my left hand is false majesty
I feign affection, refute the true story
Dispute with creation, the lie is my glory
I care for no one, my gospel is death
For me the light's gone, only darkness is left

[Chorus]
I present you, I present to you
I present you this crown of worms
I present you, I present to you
I present you this crown of worms

[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
As black in deed, as cold as stone
A commandment of one as proud as gold
As neglected in spirit, as time is old
As legion is numbers, as legend is told
I am alone with the agony of truth
My power of will, my judgement and chain
My end is knowledge and conscience of guilt
My final confusion hidden from me 'til I'm done

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

Countdown to Extinction

From the albums

Megadeth popular songs

Crown of WormsMegadeth

Megadeth

Countdown to Extinction