Vic Rattlehead
Encyclopedia
Vic Rattlehead is the mascot of the heavy metal
band Megadeth
. Vic is a skeletal figure who embodies the phrase, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." His eyes are covered by a riveted-on visor, his mouth is clamped shut, and his ears are closed with metal caps.
His image appears on several Megadeth album covers. When the band started in 1985, he was on their first four album covers (1985–1990). Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
, So Far, So Good... So What!
, and Rust in Peace
.
Vic did not appear on the front cover of any albums or compilations from 1991 to 2000. However, when Megadeth tried to bring back a more 'classic' vibe to their material, they also brought back their old mascot, and he returned for the 2001 album The World Needs a Hero
and the 2004 album The System Has Failed
. Since then he has appeared on the band's 2007 studio album United Abominations
(albeit in a different form, that is, of a human. He is identified by his visor, metal caps on his ears, and clamps on his mouth.). However, Vic was once again absent from the cover of Endgame, and is instead found in the album's booklet. Vic is also found on the inside cover of Youthanasia
and Countdown To Extinction
and the 2005 compilation Greatest Hits: Back to the Start
. His portrait image can also be found by joining the spine labels of the 8 albums Mustaine re-released in 2004. Vic has recently been mentioned in the band's new video "The Right to Go Insane
" and featured on the cover art for the Sudden Death
single. On Th1rt3en
Vic reappears, and can be seen backward.
In reality, Dave Mustaine sketched the original drawing of Vic for the cover art, but Combat Records lost the artwork and improvised a completely different result. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyZkVwRuBYQ&feature=related The original artwork was supposed to be recovered and placed on the re-issue of Killing Is My Business...and Business is Good!; however, this never came to pass. The name of Vic stands for victim and Rattlehead comes from what Mustaine's mother used to say to him when he was headbanging
. "Don't do that or you'll rattle something up in there!" This then led to the expression "to rattle one's head" meaning head-bang.
to redesign the Megadeth icon. The contest stated:
The prizes were three different ESP
electric guitar
s. The contest ended on February 14, 2006, and was judged by Dave Mustaine
with the results posted on DeviantArt on March 15, 2006.
, has revealed a redesigned Vic, using artwork from John Lorenzi one of the DeviantArt
contest entries, albeit not a winning entry. Vic now appears as an elderly man rather than a skeletal figure. He is, however, depicted with traits of the Four Horsemen mentioned in the album and shown inside the CD case—he is accompanied by an angel wearing white with blood-stained wings (an allusion to the Pestilence Horseman), has long black hair and a black cloak resembling the black horse of Famine, is wielding various firearms like the sword used by the War Horseman, and has pale, veinous-looking skin like that of Death, and is, of course, shown dealing death on a large scale. A reflection of the classic Vic can also be found on the far-right building on the front cover.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. Vic is a skeletal figure who embodies the phrase, "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." His eyes are covered by a riveted-on visor, his mouth is clamped shut, and his ears are closed with metal caps.
His image appears on several Megadeth album covers. When the band started in 1985, he was on their first four album covers (1985–1990). Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in June 1985 through Combat and Relativity Records. During the beginning of 1985, the band was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album, but this...
, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
-25th Anniversary 2-CD reissue:-25th Anniversary box set:Disc 5 contains both the original album, and the above listed 1987 show in hi-resolution audio....
, So Far, So Good... So What!
So Far, So Good... So What!
- 2004 bonus tracks :† The intro makes use of a sample from The Ink Spots' 1941 song "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"- Personnel :- Charts :-RIAA Certifications:- External links :*...
, and Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
.
Vic did not appear on the front cover of any albums or compilations from 1991 to 2000. However, when Megadeth tried to bring back a more 'classic' vibe to their material, they also brought back their old mascot, and he returned for the 2001 album The World Needs a Hero
The World Needs a Hero
-Track listing:-Personnel:-Album:-Singles:...
and the 2004 album The System Has Failed
The System Has Failed
-Songs:* "Blackmail the Universe" has numerous quotes from the movie Thirteen Days, which was about the Cuban Missile Crisis.* "Die Dead Enough" was released as a single, and was originally set to be featured in the movie Saw, but it was not used for undisclosed reasons.* "The Scorpion" was...
. Since then he has appeared on the band's 2007 studio album United Abominations
United Abominations
United Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
(albeit in a different form, that is, of a human. He is identified by his visor, metal caps on his ears, and clamps on his mouth.). However, Vic was once again absent from the cover of Endgame, and is instead found in the album's booklet. Vic is also found on the inside cover of Youthanasia
Youthanasia
Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994 through Capitol Records. A remixed and remastered version, featuring several bonus tracks, was released in 2004....
and Countdown To Extinction
Countdown to Extinction
Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status...
and the 2005 compilation Greatest Hits: Back to the Start
Greatest Hits: Back to the Start
Greatest Hits: Back to the Start is the second greatest hits album by Megadeth. It was released in 2005 by Capitol Records. The tracklist for Back to the Start was largely the result of a poll on their official website, in which tens of thousands of fans voted for their favorite tracks from the...
. His portrait image can also be found by joining the spine labels of the 8 albums Mustaine re-released in 2004. Vic has recently been mentioned in the band's new video "The Right to Go Insane
The Right to Go Insane
"The Right to Go Insane" is a song by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, written by Dave Mustaine. It is the final track and second single from their twelfth studio album Endgame, which was released on September 15, 2009...
" and featured on the cover art for the Sudden Death
Sudden Death (Megadeth song)
"Sudden Death" is a song by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was written by Dave Mustaine for inclusion in the 2010 music video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, which was released on September 28, 2010 in North America...
single. On Th1rt3en
Thirteen (Megadeth album)
Thirteen is the thirteenth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. The album was released on November 1, 2011 in North America, making it the second Megadeth album that was released on that date. The album was released on October 26, 2011 in Japan...
Vic reappears, and can be seen backward.
Creation
The mythic creation of Vic Rattlehead is addressed in the song "Skull Beneath the Skin" from the Killing is My Business... and Business is Good! album:Prepare the patients scalp
To peel away
Metal caps his ears
He'll hear not what we say
Solid steel visor
Riveted across his eyes
Iron staples close his jaws
So no one hears his cries
In reality, Dave Mustaine sketched the original drawing of Vic for the cover art, but Combat Records lost the artwork and improvised a completely different result. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyZkVwRuBYQ&feature=related The original artwork was supposed to be recovered and placed on the re-issue of Killing Is My Business...and Business is Good!; however, this never came to pass. The name of Vic stands for victim and Rattlehead comes from what Mustaine's mother used to say to him when he was headbanging
Headbanging
Headbanging is a type of dance which involves violently shaking the head in time with the music, most commonly in the rock and heavy metal music genres.-Origin:The term "headbanger" was coined during Led Zeppelin's first US tour in 1969...
. "Don't do that or you'll rattle something up in there!" This then led to the expression "to rattle one's head" meaning head-bang.
Redesign contest
On January 29, 2006, an official contest was announced on DeviantArtDeviantArt
deviantART is an online community showcasing various forms of user-made artwork. It was first launched on August 7, 2000 by Scott Jarkoff, Matthew Stephens, Angelo Sotira and others. deviantArt, Inc...
to redesign the Megadeth icon. The contest stated:
After two decades of rocking, the heavy metal band Megadeth’s mascot Vic Rattlehead needs a facelift and the band has commissioned DeviantArt to redesign him!! Not only do you get the chance to redesign a mascot whose image has appeared on several Megadeth albums as well as a myriad of band merchandise, you can also win the BIGGEST prizes we've ever offered for a DeviantArt contest!
The prizes were three different ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s. The contest ended on February 14, 2006, and was judged by Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
with the results posted on DeviantArt on March 15, 2006.
Artists
The artists for the various incarnations of Vic include:- Dave MustaineDave MustaineDavid Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
(original band logos)
- Edward J. Repka (Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?-25th Anniversary 2-CD reissue:-25th Anniversary box set:Disc 5 contains both the original album, and the above listed 1987 show in hi-resolution audio....
and Rust in PeaceRust in PeaceRust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
)
- David Jude (So Far, So Good... So What!So Far, So Good... So What!- 2004 bonus tracks :† The intro makes use of a sample from The Ink Spots' 1941 song "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"- Personnel :- Charts :-RIAA Certifications:- External links :*...
)
- Hugh SymeHugh SymeHugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist who is best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has appeared in some Rush songs as a keyboard player. Syme is notably responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress...
(Countdown to ExtinctionCountdown to ExtinctionCountdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status...
, YouthanasiaYouthanasiaYouthanasia is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994 through Capitol Records. A remixed and remastered version, featuring several bonus tracks, was released in 2004....
, and The World Needs a HeroThe World Needs a Hero-Track listing:-Personnel:-Album:-Singles:...
)
- Michael Mueller (Megadeth edition of VH1VH1VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Behind the MusicBehind the MusicBehind the Music is a television series on VH1. It originally ran from 1997 to 2006, before it was stopped and only aired new episodes sporadically. The series places its generality on documentation of musical artists or groups who are interviewed and profiled, and discuss how their careers became...
, Blackmail The Universe concert tour shirts, and the 2002 remastered edition of Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!)
- Mike Learn (The System Has FailedThe System Has Failed-Songs:* "Blackmail the Universe" has numerous quotes from the movie Thirteen Days, which was about the Cuban Missile Crisis.* "Die Dead Enough" was released as a single, and was originally set to be featured in the movie Saw, but it was not used for undisclosed reasons.* "The Scorpion" was...
)
- John Lorenzi (United AbominationsUnited AbominationsUnited Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
, WarchestWarchestWarchest is a box set from the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Warchest features five discs and features studio tracks, demos and live recordings of a number of the band's songs from its previous eleven studio albums and rarities EP...
, Endgame and ThirteenThirteen (Megadeth album)Thirteen is the thirteenth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. The album was released on November 1, 2011 in North America, making it the second Megadeth album that was released on that date. The album was released on October 26, 2011 in Japan...
United Abominations
The cover art for Megadeth's eleventh album, United AbominationsUnited Abominations
United Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
, has revealed a redesigned Vic, using artwork from John Lorenzi one of the DeviantArt
DeviantArt
deviantART is an online community showcasing various forms of user-made artwork. It was first launched on August 7, 2000 by Scott Jarkoff, Matthew Stephens, Angelo Sotira and others. deviantArt, Inc...
contest entries, albeit not a winning entry. Vic now appears as an elderly man rather than a skeletal figure. He is, however, depicted with traits of the Four Horsemen mentioned in the album and shown inside the CD case—he is accompanied by an angel wearing white with blood-stained wings (an allusion to the Pestilence Horseman), has long black hair and a black cloak resembling the black horse of Famine, is wielding various firearms like the sword used by the War Horseman, and has pale, veinous-looking skin like that of Death, and is, of course, shown dealing death on a large scale. A reflection of the classic Vic can also be found on the far-right building on the front cover.