MEGADETH — Hidden Treasures (review)

Boxset / Compilation · 1995 · Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2025-01-30
UMUR

"Hidden Treasures" is a compilation album by US thrash/heavy metal act Megadeth. The compilation was released through Capitol Records in July 1995. The tracks on the compilation first appeared in this collective form as bonus material on a special European edition of "Youthanasia" (1994), but was released as a stand-alone compilation release in Japan and in the US. The Japanese version of "Hidden Treasures" features no less than four bonus tracks, which are all material from the 1995 "A Tout le Monde" single/EP.

All eight tracks on "Hidden Treasures" (minus the four bonus tracks from the Japanese version) were originally recorded for soundtracks and tribute albums except the Sex Pistols cover "Problems", which was unreleased (at least on any release available for purchase) at the time "Hidden Treasures" was released, but had actually appeared on the US promotional single for "A Tout le Monde" (another version of the single, which is different from the version where the Japanese bonus tracks are culled from).

"Hidden Treasures" opens with the Alice Cooper cover "No More Mr. Nice Guy", which Megadeth recorded for the 1989 Wes Craven-directed horror film "Shocker". Megadeth stay relatively true to the original, although they add more power and energy to the track. It´s drummer Nick Menza´s recording debut for Megadeth. "Breakpoint" was recorded during the sessions for "Countdown to Extinction" (1992) and features a similar sound production and musical style to the material on that album. The track was originally featured on the soundtrack for the 1993 "Super Mario Bros." film (featuring Bob Hoskins and Dennis Hopper among others). "Go to Hell" was featured on the soundtrack to the 1991 "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" film (featuring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter), and judging from the sound production and musical style of the track, it was probably recorded during the sessions for "Rust in Peace" (1990), but left off that album. "Angry Again" was recorded during the sessions for "Countdown to Extinction" (1992) and included on the 1993 soundtrack for "Last Action Hero" (featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger), but it actually features a different sounding production to the material featured on "Countdown to Extinction" (1992).

"99 Was to Die" was recorded for the 1993 "The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience" various artists compilation album, which remains one of the best-selling soundtracks for an animated comedy film/tv-series. The sound production and the musical style of the song (and of course the year of recording) could indicate it was recorded during the sessions for "Countdown to Extinction" (1992) or at a recording session not long after. "Paranoid" is a Black Sabbath cover, which Megadeth recorded for the 1994 "Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath" various artists tribute album. Megadeth nail the the track pretty well. "Diadems" was recorded during the sessions for "Youthanasia" (1994), or at least that´s what the sound production and musical style of the track suggest. It was included on the soundtrack for the 1995 "Demon Knight" film. The original eight track version of the compilation closes with the above mentioned cover of "Problems" by the Sex Pistols.

As mentioned the Japanese version of the compilation features four bonus tracks, which are culled from the 1995 "A Tout le Monde" single/EP. "A Tout le Monde" from "Youthanasia" (1994) appears in a radio edit version and "Symphony of Destruction" and "Architecture of Aggression", which were originally featured on "Countdown to Extinction" (1992), appear here in demo versions. They are both pretty high quality demos, but only of interest to the hardcore fans. The last bonus track is demo version of "New World Order". A track which would be shelved and wouldn´t appear until it was re-recorded and included on "Thirteen" (2011).

Upon conclusion "Hidden Treasures" is slightly less than the title suggests. While the quality of the material is generally high, there is a reason why these tracks weren´t included on any of the standard versions of Megadeth´s regular studio albums. When that is said tracks like "Breakpoint", "Angry Again", and "99 Ways to Die" are pretty great songs, and there´s nothing on "Hidden Treasures" which isn´t worth your attention. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.