"The Threat Is Real"
Single by Megadeth
from the album Dystopia
ReleasedNovember 25, 2015
RecordedApril-July, 2015
StudioLattitude Studio South, Leiper's Fork, Tennessee
GenreThrash metal
Length4:22
LabelTradecraft/Universal
Songwriter(s)Dave Mustaine
Producer(s)
  • Mustaine
  • Chris Rakestraw
Megadeth singles chronology
"Fatal Illusion"
(2015) 		"The Threat Is Real"
(2015) 		"Dystopia"
(2016)

"The Threat Is Real" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, written by Dave Mustaine. It is the opening track from their fifteenth studio album Dystopia, which was released on January 22, 2016. The song was released as the album's second single on streaming services on November 25, 2015,[1] and on vinyl on November 27, 2015.[2]

Music video

The music video features the band members trapped in a jail cell inside of a dilapidated city.[3] The story shown in the video continues with the album’s titular track’s music video,[4] It was released on December 11, 2015.[5]

Performances

The song debuted live in Denver, Colorado, on February 23, 2016.[6] It is the second most performed song from the album, being played nearly 230 times as of September 2022.[7] A live performance filmed at Hellfest 2016 was featured on the DVD of the Japanese Deluxe Edition of Dystopia.

Critical reception

The song was ranked the third greatest from the album by Return Of Rock.[8]

Track listing

12-inch vinyl

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Threat Is Real"Dave Mustaine4:24
2."Foreign Policy" (Fear cover)Lee Ving2:28
Total length:6:52

Personnel

Credits adapted from Dystopia liner notes.[9]

Megadeth

Additional musicians

Production and design

References

  1. ^ Mack, Emmy (October 16, 2015). "Dave Mustaine Talks About Megadeth's New Lineup, The New Book He Isn't Actually Writing & Being a Loony Toon". Musicfeeds.com. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  2. ^ Barken, Jonathan. "Barken". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  3. ^ Childers, Chad. "Megadeth Unleash 'The Threat Is Real' Video, Chris Adler Confirmed for Upcoming Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Megadeth - Dystopia". songfacts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. ^ "'THE THREAT IS REAL' VIDEO PREMIERE". Megadeth.com. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Video: MEGADETH Performs New Song 'The Threat Is Real' Live For First Time". Blabbermouth. February 24, 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Dystopia by Megadeth". setlist.fm. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Dystopia Songs Ranked". Return Of Rock. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  9. ^ Dystopia Liner notes. Universal Music Enterprises. 2016. p. 12.
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