December 13th, 2020 - Cryptic Writings from 97

 

Hello and happy Sunday rattleheads and hops heads!  The Meista here getting crazy today to Megadeth's "Cryptic Writings" and an IPA 97 from Silver Moon Brewing!  Hells yeah!  This pairing is also dedicated to the late Nick Menza.  Rest in Power!

Album Info:

• Artist: Megadeth
• Title: "Cryptic Writings"
• Recorded: September 1996 at The Tracking Room in Nashville, Tennessee and The Castle in Franklin, Tennessee
• Release date: June 17th, 1997 (7th studio album by Megadeth)
• Record company: Capital Records
• Production: Dann Huff and Dave Mustaine
• Album cover art: Hugh Syme
• Personnel: David Ellefson (bass guitar and backing vocals), Marty Friedman (lead and rhythm guitars, and sitar on "A Secret Place"), Nick Menza (drums and backing vocals), and Dave Mustaine (lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock with elements of speed metal and thrash metal 
• Sound: Looking for a wider audience, the sound on "Cryptic Writings" showed the band moving further away from their trash metal roots with tighter, more produced, more radio-friendlier songs.  That's not to say that the album doesn't still rock, because it certainly does.  Mustaine's anger is still on point and Friedman tears it up with some killer tone, riffs, and solos! 
• Major themes: Honesty, deceit, drug abuse, our reliance on technology, revenge, a wicked temptress, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Trust"
2. "Almost Honest"
3. "Use The Man"
4. "Mastermind"
5. "The Disintegrators"
6. "I'll Get Even"
7. "Sin"
8. "A Secret Place"
9. "Have Cool, Will Travel"
10. "She-Wolf"
11. "Vortex"
12. "FFF"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Silver Moon Brewing (Bend, Oregon) 
• Website: https://www.silvermoonbrewing.com/ 
• Brew: IPA 97
• Style:  India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0%
• IBUs: 75
• Pour: The IPA 97 pours a hazy dark gold hue with an off-white, 1-finger head with good retention and lots of sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is dank, citrusy, tropical, and herbal.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, mango, pineapple, pine resin, light onion, herbal tea, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the IPA 97 is citrusy, tropical, earthy, and herbal.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, mango, tangerine, pineapple, light pine, grassy hops, black tea, and caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium in body and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the IPA 97 is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp and punchy character of the is great for the heavy metal onslaught that is Megadeth's "Cryptic Writings"!  Those bitter and citrusy hop notes go great with Mustaine's gravely vocals and angry lyrics, while the sweeter tropical fruit flavors compliment Friedman's guitar acrobatics and Menza's powerful drumming!

Cheers!!  Hails!!  Have a rockin' day and evening!!