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Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction - Guitar Tab

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Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction - Guitar Tab

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Key E minor
Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction guitar tab video
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Countdown To Extinction (Expanded Edition - Remastered) album cover
Countdown To Extinction (Expanded Edition - Remastered)
1992 4:07
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Megadeth Thrash Metal 1992 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

Symphony of Destruction

"Symphony of Destruction" is a heavy metal track by Megadeth, released as a single from their fifth studio album, Countdown to Extinction (1992). Written by Dave Mustaine, the song examines the idea of an ordinary citizen gaining control of a country while a shadow government pulls the strings. Its memorable main riff, accessible structure for a Megadeth track, and significant chart success make it one of the band's most recognized songs and a rewarding study piece for electric guitarists.

  • The main riff is built around a slow, palm-muted groove, more approachable than typical Megadeth material, making it good for intermediate players.
  • "Symphony of Destruction" was a breakthrough radio hit for Megadeth, helping Countdown to Extinction reach a mainstream audience beyond thrash metal fans.
  • Dave Mustaine wrote the lyrics around a political concept: an average citizen manipulated into power while a phantom government secretly rules.
Gibson Flying V
Guitar

Gibson Flying V

Dave Mustaine's current signature Flying V delivers the V-shaped body geometry essential for accessing upper frets on his complex spider-chord voicings and fast lead lines. The guitar's thin, fast neck profile and fixed bridge provide the tuning stability and articulation Megadeth's precise, aggressive riffing demands.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Mustaine built Megadeth's signature razor-sharp, scooped-mid tone on Marshall JCM800s, with gain around 7-8 to retain pick dynamics and articulation under heavy palm-muting. The amp's responsive tube saturation transforms hot pickups into the controlled, fast low-end aggression that defines thrash metal rhythm tones.

DigiTech Whammy
Pedal

DigiTech Whammy

Marty Friedman used the Digitech Whammy as a lead accent tool, adding pitch-shifting texture to solos without cluttering Megadeth's minimalist effects philosophy. The pedal's harmonic richness complemented his warm, vocal-like Seymour Duncan humbucker tone during the band's classic era.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

The ISP Decimator is essential for Mustaine's high-gain thrash setup, eliminating feedback and noise between palm-muted riffs without compromising sustain. This noise gate allows him to push the Marshall into aggressive saturation while maintaining the tight, articulate attack Megadeth's complex rhythms require.

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