MEGADETH - Countdown To Extinction (three versions)

From all the three versions, the demo stands alone to the point of arrangements. It shows how songs may change alot from the pre-production till the final result. Cover illustration by Ed Repka in 1993. Repka also did another artwork with Vic as grim reaper holding a hourglass full of skulls, reflecting the album's title concept. However this one with Vic as a zoo keeper is what the lyrics of the song are about. N:joy...

00:00 COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION
taken from the album "Countdown To Extinction" (1992)
04:16 COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION (Demo)
recorded at EMI Publishing Studios on 5 August 1991
taken from re-issue of "Countdown To Extinction" album remixed & remastered in 2004 as a bonus track
08:12 COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION (Live)
recorded live at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California on 4 December 1992
taken from the single "Sweating Bullets" (1993)

Endangered species, caged in fright
Shot in cold blood, no chance to fight
The stage is set, now pay the price
And ego boost, don’t think twice

Technology, the battle’s unfair
You pull the hammer without a care
Squeeze the trigger that makes you man
Pseudo-safari, the hunt is canned

The hunt is canned

All are gone, all but one
No contest, nowhere to run
No more left, only one
This is it, this is the countdown to extinction

Tell the truth, you wouldn’t dare
The skin and trophy, oh, so rare
Silence speaks louder than words
Ignore the guilt and take your turn

Liars anagram is lairs
Man you were never even there
Killed a few feet from the cages
Point blank, you’re so courageous

So courageous

All are gone, all but one
No contest, nowhere to run
No more left, only one
This is it, this is the countdown to extinction

One hour from now
Another species of life form
Will disappear off the face of the planet
Forever and the rate is accelerating

All are gone, all but one
No contest, nowhere to run
No more left, only one
This is it, this is the countdown to extinction