Guitarist Dave Mustaine formed the mighty Megadeth in 1983. Marrying the speed of punk with the overwhelming power of heavy metal, the Los Angeles band are revered as one of the "big four" founders of thrash, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. At their peak, they managed a string of six consecutive platinum albums in the U.S., despite multiple line-up changes, struggles with substance abuse, and a general habit of courting controversy. With virtuosic riffs and socially conscious lyrics, they helped a subcultural phenomenon find mainstream success.