Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction

What this video is

Released in June 1992, 'Symphony of Destruction' arrived at the apex of Megadeth's mainstream breakthrough via Countdown to Extinction, which would go platinum multiple times and compete directly with Metallica's Black Album in the heavy metal marketplace. The video's political imagery — burning flags, presidential assassination, rioting crowds — reflected the anxieties of a post-Cold War American public navigating…

Why it matters

Represents thrash metal's commercial zenith: a genre-defining riff vehicle that sacrificed none of its aggression while achieving mainstream chart penetration. Alongside Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' (also directed by Isham, 1991), this video helped normalize heavy metal aesthetics on daytime MTV,…

The director

Wayne Isham (born December 2, 1958, Vinita, Oklahoma) is an American film and music video director who has helmed over 150 videos since the 1980s. A UC Santa Barbara alumnus, he was inspired by David Bowie's 'Ashes to Ashes.' His credits span Bon Jovi,…