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List Price: $11.98 | | Label: Capitol
Salesrank: 81461
Released: June 17, 1997 |
| Our Price: $39.99 |
| Used Price: $0.93 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Cryptic Writings Track Listing:
1. Trust
2. Almost Honest
3. Use the Man
4. Mastermind
5. Disintegrators
6. I'll Get Even
7. Sin
8. Secret Place
9. Have Cool, Will Travel
10. She-Wolf
11. Vortex
12. FFF
Editorial Review:
Japanese edition of their 1997 album with 'One Thing' added as a bonus track 'One Thing'. 13 tracks total, also featuring the single 'Trust'. An EMI release.
Description of Cryptic Writings:
In 1996, after Dave Mustaine released his experimental side project, MD.45's The Craving, there were scattered reports about how the metal veteran was turning over a new leaf with a new band. But any circulating rumors of Megadeth's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The group's seventh album Cryptic Writings is its strongest release since 1990's Rust in Peace. Not only are the songs crunchy and confrontational, they're suffused with crafty hooks that make them memorable without detracting from their primal power. Add some acrobatic guitar solos from Mustaine and Marty Friedman, and you've got a record that will unfurrow the brow of anyone who thinks Metallica sold out with Load. Granted, there's not much innovation on Cryptic Writings, but in an age of self-centered angst and watered down Nirvana riffs, Megadeth's unapologetic metal fury is as refreshing as a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. --Jon Wiederhorn
Cryptic Writings Reviews:
What happens when Megadeth starts listening to record company "artist development" people? 
2008-07-26 - When I started listening to this album again for this review, I hadn't heard it for about 3 years and was prepared not to like it at all, in fact, in the interest of full disclosure, I was ready to give it a 2 start rating - for I knew enough about it to know that it didn't sound like the Megadeth that I know and love, and the 1st and last time I listened to the album back in 97 it did not leave a favorable impression upon me.
There are certainly things on here that one wouldn't hear on "Rust in Peace" or "Peace Sells" - for example - lots of guitar vibration effects, more straightforward songs with comparatively few changes and breaks, Dave Mustaine actually singing in tune, non-thrash metal influences, and a real and unapologetic intent to get airplay. Mid-tempo songs are the norm, with just a few "throwbacks" to their thrash metal days with "Disintegrators" and "Fff".
At some point, Megadeth and company must have looked at the great attention Metallica was getting with their new pop-metal-thrash sound and decided it would be a good idea to try that as well. The results are mixed. Megadeth must have figured that, because they also threw in (towards the end of the album) - songs that were closer to what they used to do - ie. fast, political, angry metal. Make no mistake though, the whole album is very slickly produced and competently played - and that is a double edged sword. The Megadeth most fans knew in their "Rust in Peace" era is nowhere to be found here. Yes it's true that Change can be good, but only when it is accompanied by it's cousin Growth.
All that said, there are some good songs on here, and no terrible ones. I just don't think that Megadeth plays to their strengths with this kind of AOR inspired material. I would say that this is a solid 3 star album.
Here is my track by track breakdown:
5 = Worth putting the CD into the player for
4 = Worth skipping to this track if the CD is already conveniently in the player
3 = Good filler, could add value in the right mix
1,2 = None of these on this album, so it doesn't really matter.
/title/(rating)/bpm/key
1) Trust(3)/130/E - Begins sounding suspiciously similar in tone to "Enter Sandman", Metallica's hit of their black album. With the exception of a somewhat contrived break, this is pretty radio friendly stuff.
2) Almost Honest(5)/138/E - Undoubtedly the best song of the post thrash Megadeth era - has a good hook that would be comfortable on a pop-metal album. There's some interesting soloing and the 3 part harmony at the end really ties it together.
3) Use the Man(3)/89/E - Begins with an unnecessary sample of some 50's song - no I don't know who it is and I'm too lazy to look - but it's clear that throughout the song, Mustaine is unloading some more of his Metallica inferiority complex - I mean - you put Hetfield in his place and you would swear this is some poppy Metallica song on "Load".
4) Mastermind(3)/102/E - A strutting arena-friendly anthem with a riff that brings to mind "Life in the Fast Lane" by Steve Miller. Need I point out that it says a lot that I use Steve Miller and Megadeth in the same sentence? That said, I like strutting arena-friendly anthems.....
5) The Disintegrators(3)/270/E - A concession to Megadeth thrash metal fans who made them great. That said, it isn't better than anything on preceding albums, although the playing is competent enough as usual.
6) I'll Get Even(3)/120/E - Mid-paced pop that starts out with a mellow riff that sounds like it's been lifted from the Doors. Very radio-friendly, outside of Mustaine's occasional practiced growling and grunting in places.
7) Sin(3)/132/E - A straightforward metal tune the key of E that I find ok but somewhat forgettable.
8) A Secret Place(3)/132/G - "There's a siiimmple plaaaayyyycce.... that aayy laaak to go". A bit contrived with the sitar and the woah woahs.
9) Have Cool, Will Travel(3)/108/E - Almost like bluesy rock that brings Aerosmith to mind - has harmonica. Wins points for some interesting breaks.
10) She-Wolf(4)/156/E - More arena-friendly metal, but this one actually has a good hook with a nice chorus, plus it shows off the bands finer technical prowess - which they have plenty of.
11) Vortex(3)/186/B - Another faster metal song...
12) Fff(3)/384/B - Has a riff that sounds like "Motorbreath" on Metallica's Kill-Em All - ends with the band chanting "fight... fight..." (for freedom)
USE THE FAN... 
2007-12-13 - This album isn't bad, but MEGADETH could've done alot better on this album.
For me it was just to slow, like most people say I can't listen to their older stuff and then put this album into the mix.
It makes me think what in the heck was DAVE thinking when he put this
album out?
And then I heard "RISK" that album was even worse than this album.
There was only 2 songs I liked on the whole album "INSOMNIA" & "CRUSH'EM".
Thank goodness we are in 2007 not 1997 and UNITED ABOMANATIONS has been released back to basic speed metal.
Thank God we didn't have to experience MEGADETH doing a duet with the Dixie Chicks...LOL
I rate this CD a 7 FROM 1to10!!
Megadeth mastermind another great release
2007-07-11 - Cryptic Writings (1997.), Megadeth's seventh studio album
By the mid-1990's, change was in the air for the big names in metal. Nu metal was about to hit the mainstream and the big names from the previous decade had diversified their sound somewhat. Both Megadeth and Metallica had slowed down their sound, however Metallica had unfortunately gone one step further and pushed away a lot of long term fans with their `alternative' releases `Load' and `Reload'. So what was the score for Megadeth, afterall their previous two releases, `Countdown To Extinction' and `Youthanasia' were two classic releases, eventhough the band no longer had the thrashy element to their sound. `Cryptic Writings' was released in 1997 and thankfully kept the metal spirit alive and well in Megadeth. So how does the final effort from the classic line-up of Megadeth (Mustaine, Ellefson, Menza, Friedman) shape up to be?
Cryptic Writings is a continuation of the form the band had shown throughout the early `90s and serves up a selection of great songs. Granted, for me this album is not quite up to the standards set by `Rust In Peace', `Countdown To Extinction' and `Youthanasia' however the album is not short of some Megadeth classics. `Trust' received great airplay upon the album's release and tracks such as `She-Wolf' and `Vortex' display archetypal Megadeth riffage along with inspired fast solos and great harmonies. Lyrically Mustaine pens his usual strong blend of politically charged songs along with some powerful songs about relationships such as `Trust' and drug abuse `Use The Man'. Cryptic Writings is a fitting snapshot to mark the end of Megadeth's classic and most stable line up as drummer Nick Menza would shortly be fired from the band after the album's release.
Following Megadeth's re-union in 2004 with the release of 'The System Has Failed', Dave Mustaine personally helped remaster the band's back catalogue. With 'Cryptic Writings' the remaster is excellent. The remaster of the album contains a Spanish version of `Trust', an alternate version of `Vortex' as well as `The Evil That's Within' and `Bullprick', the latter being a version of `FFF' with alternate lyrics.
`Trust' is a fantastic opener for the album. An atmopsheric drum intro leads into one of Megadeth's finest songs with great lyrics and an unforgettable riff of the chorus. `Almost Honest' is a classic Mustaine penned title with a gripping verse line and blistering chorus showing that Megadeth are definitely not to be singled out of the metal mix. `Use The Man' contains some slower, acoustic sections which provide a nice contrast its heavier sections. Cointains some powerful lyrics about drug abuse. `Mastermind' is more vintage Megadeth complete with catchy guitar lines and an excellent Friedman solo. `The Disintegrators' is one of the more thrashier and faster songs on here, a song with plenty of aggression. `Ill Get Even' marks an unexpected but very welcome contrast. The guitars have a very different sound to them to what you expect from Megadeth - much more mellow and stripped down. This is a fantastic song though and will be sure to stick in your mind after a listen or two.
`Sin' marks a return to heavy guitars, not a stand out track but an enjoyable Megadeth staple none the less. `A Secret Place' is a longer, more epic track with plenty of strong melodies and more captivating interludes. ` Have Cool, Will Travel' is another solid track complete with an interesting addition of the harmonica. Theres a nice acoustic section mid way through. `She Wolf' is a classic Megadeth song which still gets lots of live play at the band's concerts. Galloping riffs get the song underway before another strong chorus kicks in. The song's exit solo and guitar harmony is a thrilling listen. `Vortex' is another album favourite of mine; another song with great riffs and excellent vocals, Friedman's guitar solo is awesome on this track - another testament to the guy's ability on the guitar. `FFF' is a crisp, short song to close the album with plenty of thrashy beats and speed.
Megadeth proved they still had what it takes with `Cryptic Writings' and gave a fans a great 50 minute serving of metal. Unfortunately, Megadeth would fall into the trap that caught Metallica with their follow up, the alternative, commercial sounding `Risk' (although Mustaine realised the mistake and was back playing metal again an album later!). Cryptic Writings is an excellent final showcase for arguably Megadeth's finest line up. A must for any big Megadeth fans, I would only recommend this album to new Megadeth fans who have listened to the bands two most definitive releases, `Rust In Peace' and `Peace Sells...But Who's Buying'.
MY RATING: 8/10
Last blast from the classic lineup
2007-06-06 - Some people will call the first incarnation of a band the classic line up. Nonsense, any bands classic line up is the one that produced the best music. And for Megadeth their classic line is the one of Mustaine, Ellefson, Friedman and Menza who produced some of the best metal of the 90's. On this album from 1997 we find the boys in good, solid form though not quite capturing the splendour of Rust or Countdown.
One of the first things you notice about this album is the superbly lush production qualities. The next thing that hits you is the sprawling lead track of Trust which rides a Nick Menza beast of a beat. In contrast the next track Almost Honest is dependant on an effects driven guitar riff. This variety is somewhat representative of the album in that the years of songwriting has honed the teams skills. The tunes are well thought out metal musings with more mature lyrical constructs than the band would of been capable of ten years previously. That's not to say that there aren't some full metal racket blast-fests here. There are. My personal favourite of such a tune would be The Disintegrators. Listen to a sample if you can and you'll hear a fast paced rivethead rocker, an absolutely wonderfully brainless metal tune.
My personal feeling is that this is a four star release perhaps on the low side of those four stars. My reasons for this would be the sense of filler on some of the tunes, a feel of anonymity in some of the tracks that means that even after several listens you have trouble actually remembering the tunes, or what tune goes with which name.
Overall though the combination of some really good songs, wonderful production and attention to detail means this is a good buy for any lapsed Megadeth fan. For newcomers my belief is you'd be better off getting Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction before moving onto Youthanasia and then Cryptic Writings
pure Megadeth greatness 
2006-06-06 - INTRO: Megadeth is one of the trash metal pionners while they changed their sound over the years and many lineup changes this album aint their best but its a great one with many good songs like`Trust`.That album marks the end of the classic lineup as drummer Nick menza leaves the band after this album.
Many fans doubted that Megadeth could beat their best album and thats true they didnt but they made a great record its their best in years many classic songs`she-wolf` and `vortex``the desingrators`among them and many others.Dave Mustaine said that this was a difficult album but the results paid off in this record.
Menza plays on a Megadeth album for the last time and puts on a good performance as well as the rest of the band.This being an 0riginal copy you dont need the remasters but 0 Megadeth remasters have extra tracks,unreleased songs wich makes them great.The songs are all good not any filler songs just an awsome album by Megadeth.
While Metalica putted out a self-destructible record in 1996 with st-anger,Megadeth responded with `Cryptic Writings`a great album.Definetly buy this record if you ever have the chance its a must-have!
