Countdown to Extinction cover

Symphony of Destruction

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Megadeth

Countdown to Extinction (1992)thrash metalTop 5%3:59SpotifyYouTubeApple Music
Key: E minorestTempo: 140 BPMestTime signature: 4/4

Choose a version

Compare every playable arrangement, then open the exact version that has the parts you need.

100%7 tracks · 4,965 notes · E minor · 70 BPM· 3:59videoRecommended
Practice Play
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Solo
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Lead Vocals
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Strings
Choir
Drums
100%7 tracks · 4,957 notes · D# minor · 70 BPM· 3:58D# Tuning
Practice Play
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Solo
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Lead Vocals
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Drums
Strings
Choir
100%7 tracks · 4,969 notes · D minor · 70 BPM· 3:59Standard D
Practice Play
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Solo
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Lead Vocals
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Choir
Strings
Drums
100%7 tracks · 4,960 notes · E minor · 70 BPM· 4:01Country Ver.
Practice Play
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Solo
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Lead Vocals
World
Guitar
Bass
Percussion
Organ
Winds
100%8 tracks · 4,669 notes · E minor · 70 BPM· 4:02_2
Practice Play
Dave Mustane (Overdriven Guitar)
Marty Friedman (Overdriven Guitar)
David Ellefson (Bass)
Strings 1
Strings 2
Choir
Orchestra
Drumkit
100%8 tracks · 4,690 notes · E minor · 70 BPM· 4:02
Practice Play
Dave Mustane (Overdriven Guitar)
Marty Friedman (Overdriven Guitar)
David Ellefson (Bass)
Strings 1
Strings 2
Choir
Orchestra
Drumkit
95%6 tracks · 4,561 notes · C minor · 70 BPM· 3:59C Standard
Practice Play
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Solo
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Strings
Choir
Drums
92%5 tracks · 5,597 notes · E minor · 146 BPM· 5:26extendeddemo
Practice Play
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Drums
Lead Vocals
92%5 tracks · 4,027 notes · E minor · 140 BPM· 3:48drop d
Practice Play
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Drums
Lead Vocals
92%5 tracks · 4,884 notes · E minor · 140 BPM· 3:49
Practice Play
Dave Mustane
Overdriven guitar
Marty Friedman
David Ellefson
Nick Menza

Musical analysis below is derived from the recommended version —7 tracks · 3:59

About this song

Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth is in E minor (estimated), around 140 BPM, 4/4 time. This 7-track arrangement runs 3:59 (Distortion guitar, Electric bass (pick), String ensemble 1, Choir aahs, Lead 6 (voice), and Drums), with alternating verses and choruses and a solo. 17 versions available to play and practice.

Difficulty by instrument

How hard each detected part is to play in the recommended version.

BassAdvanced
4.08 notes/sec
GuitarAdvanced
4.18 notes/sec
DrumsIntermediate
6.55 notes/sec
OtherIntermediate
0.05 notes/sec
VocalsBeginner
1.7 notes/sec

Song structure

The shape of the recording — tap a section to jump the player there.

0:001:002:003:003:59
Verse 10:12Pre-chorus0:39Chorus0:53Verse 21:07Pre-chorus1:34Chorus1:48Solo2:19Verse 32:46Pre-chorus3:14Chorus3:27

Vocal range

The span of the lead vocal line — see at a glance whether it sits in your range.

C3C4C5D3E4

D3 – E4 · 14 semitones (~1.2 octaves)

About the key of E minor

E minor is the most common key in our catalog. Its three core chords are Em, Am, and Bm.

Browse all songs in E minor Build a chord progression in this key

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  • Hangar 18

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Featured in

Symphony of Destruction appears on the soundtrack of FlatOut 2.