Review by MartinDavey87 for Megadeth - Hidden Treasures (1995)

Released in 1995, the well-titled 'Hidden Treasures' is an eight-track compilation of songs that were recorded for movie soundtracks or tribute albums. Random bits and bobs, really. Featuring a mixture of covers and originals, some of these have gone on to become fan favourites.

Since most of these were recorded around the early 90's, Megadeth were still in full-on thrash metal mode. With fast, intense guitar riffs and rough, gritty production giving the songs a harsh sound. Fans of the bands earlier work will enjoy this.

Highlights include '99 Ways to Die', 'Angry Again', 'Diadems' and 'Go to Hell', all are original compositions used for various movie soundtracks, being left off of studio albums for one reason or another, but they easily match any of Megadeth's prior work in quality. The rest of the EP is fairly mediocre, however. Thrashed up covers of Alice Cooper's 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' and Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' do nothing for me, and the remaining originals are also fairly bland.

This short, 29-minute EP was originally the only place to get all of these songs without splashing out on eight separate soundtracks/albums. Now, of course, they're all likely to end up on any Megadeth compilation or boxset, but if you're looking to fill out your Megadeth collection with all their studio releases, then 'Hidden Treasures' is an essential addition.