"Blackmail the Universe" | ||||
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Promotional single by Megadeth | ||||
from the album The System Has Failed | ||||
B-side | "Kick the Chair" | |||
Released | 2004 | |||
Recorded | 2003–2004, October 9, 2005 (video) [1] | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | Thrash metal [ citation needed ] | |||
Length | 4:33 | |||
Label | Sanctuary | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dave Mustaine | |||
Producer(s) | Jeff Balding, Dave Mustaine | |||
Megadeth singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Blackmail the Universe" on YouTube |
"Blackmail the Universe" is a 2004 song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, written by frontman Dave Mustaine. It was released as a promotional single from their 2004 album The System Has Failed . [2]
"Blackmail the Universe" is one of the most political songs Megadeth has, and is filled with attitude. [3] [4] [5] The song starts with a news report of Air Force One being shot down. [1] [6] [7] It features lyrics about nuclear war, terrorism and tensions in the Middle East. [8] [9] The song marks a return to the thrash metal that the band played in their early days. [3] [10] It has been described as similar to the song and album Rust in Peace, not only lyrically, but musically too. [11] [12] [13] [14]
"Blackmail the Universe" has been played 133 times live by the band. [15] The concert tour for The System Has Failed was titled after this song. [16]
A music video for "Blackmail the Universe" was recorded on October 9, 2005, and was featured on That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires [17] (although it was also released separately). [18] The video was directed by Michael J. Sarna. [1]
"Blackmail the Universe" has been noted as a highlight of the album by many reviewers. [7] [11] [19] [20] It has been described as one of, if not "...the (band's) best since Countdown to Extinction ". [7] [21] [22] BraveWords praised Chris Poland's guitar work on the song. [23] The song is the second most streamed from the album on Spotify. [24]
"Blackmail the Universe" has appeared on many Megadeth releases, including the greatest hits album Warheads on Foreheads and the aforementioned That One Night live album. [25]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Blackmail the Universe" | 4:33 |
2. | "Kick The Chair" | 3:57 |
Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes, [27] except where noted.