Power Play

Megadeth is an intense metal band that has no fear of taking the listener on a wild, sensory-overloaded adventure.

In the opening licks of their ninth release, “Risk,” Megadeth wanted to stretch the imagination of the listener as well as the power of their speakers.

“It’s symbolic to what my life was like in the ‘80s,” said Megadeth frontman David Mustaine. “It’s about insomnia. I didn’t sleep much then.”

From the moment the play button is pushed, the listener hears a low hum of feedback that segues into a cryptic warning of violins, then explodes with a loud roar of metal. Imagine the spectacle live when Megadeth infects the Spokane Expo Center stage Wednesday.

Mustaine formed Megadeth 17 years ago and has kept the band fairly true to its original form, giving faithful Mega-Deadheads pulsating power to thrive on. Of course, some of the fans who have been around since the band’s inception now may require a visit to the chiropractor after Megadeth’s highly energetic, head-bobbing shows.

“You can grow and challenge yourself musically without losing sight of who you are,” Mustaine said.

Megadeth formed after Mustaine left Metallica. He discovered the moniker by accident during a four-day bus ride home.

“I was looking for some paper to write lyrics on because I was trying to keep myself from going insane,” said Mustaine. “I found a handbill from Sen. Alan Cranston that was about the danger of nuclear armament. It said `The power of megadeath can’t be rid,’ and I thought, `What a fantastic name, it represents extreme power.’ “

Mustaine called “Risk” the band’s most creative release since 1992 when Megadeth abandoned their pure trash heavy metal roots and focused more on lyrical songwriting.

“We are heading in a much more melodic direction with `Risk,’ ” said Mustaine. “We have played fast and heavy for so long that I thought we would be painting ourselves into a corner if we continued to do that. We can’t make `Rust In Peace’ (their 1990 release) for the rest of our lives and I think our fans appreciate that.”

Inspiration comes in many different forms. For Mustaine, it was his love for hockey and his loathing for “sports rock” (old rock songs played frequently at sporting events) that provided the right keys to his next musical vehicle.

“I go to a lot of Phoenix Coyotes games,” said Mustaine. “Whenever they score a goal, they play Gary Glitter’s `Rock and Roll Part II.’ I’m just sick of that song. I wanted to come up with something celebratory and inspiring. So we wrote `Crush ‘Em,’ which we felt would be good for any sport. I wrote that song out of love for hockey.”

He titled “Risk” after a former bandmate spoke to him through the press.

When Metallica’s Lars Ulrich was asked about Mustaine, Ulrich said Mustaine was not taking enough risks.

“I felt that was good advice,” said Mustaine. So, Mustaine took vocal lessons before going into the studio. He also brought producer Dan Huff, who produced their “Cryptic Writings” album.

“Dan showed me that impulse and improvisation are as vital to creativity as premeditated songwriting. I feel a combination of this has us putting out our boldest, most personally expressive album,” said Mustaine. “After all, the band is called Megadeth — we aren’t afraid to take chances.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: Megadeth

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Expo Center.

Tickets: $27.50, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, by phone at (800) 325-SEAT or online at www.ticketswest.com