Released: September 19, 1986

Songwriter: Dave Mustaine

Producer: Randy Burns Dave Mustaine

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
Welcome to our sanguinary sect of worship
Feel at home in our black conventicle
As we anathematise all those who oppose us

[Chorus]
Don't summon the Devil, don't call the priests
If you need the strength, the conjuring
Obey!

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 2]
Behold, the flames rise from the compass' cardinal points
Burn the sacred oil, and with the ashes you'll anoint

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Arrange the symbols of the wizard and magician
Light the candles, place the parchment paper in position
Between its leaves place the lash from a black cat's eye
A straw of a broom, fold, and burn, and centralize

[Chorus]
Don't summon the Devil, don't call the priests
If you need the strength, then conjure me

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
I am the Devil's advocate
A salesman if you will
You know my name, you know my name

[Verse 5]
I met your father years ago
I gave him what he'd please
He called my name, and you'll do the same

[Verse 6]
I'm claiming what is mine by right
It's time to close the deal
You're bought and sold, bought and sold

[Verse 7]
Come join me in my infernal depths
Mephisto's hall of fame
I've got your soul, I've got your soul

[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
The conjuring
Obey!

Megadeth

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):