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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
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{{Short description|1997 studio album by Megadeth}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Cryptic Writings
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Megadeth]]
| cover        = Cryptic writings cover.jpg
| alt          = 
| released     = {{Start date|1997|6|17}}
| recorded     = September 1996
| studio       = 
*The Tracking Room, Nashville
*The Castle, [[Franklin, Tennessee|Franklin]]
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[alternative metal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/dave-mustaine-says-he-laughed-nu-metal-bands-megadeth-were-forced-tour | title=Dave Mustaine Says He Laughed at Nu-Metal Bands Megadeth Were "Forced" to Tour with | date=September 28, 2022 }}</ref>}}
| length       = {{Duration|m=46|s=44}}
| label        = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| producer     = [[Dann Huff]]
| prev_title   = [[Hidden Treasures (EP)|Hidden Treasures]]
| prev_year    = 1995
| next_title   = [[Risk (Megadeth album)|Risk]]
| next_year    = 1999
| misc         = {{Extra album cover
 | header  = Alternative cover
 | type    = studio
 | cover   = Megadeath-Cryptic Writings.jpg
 | border  =
 | alt     =
 | caption = 2004 remixed and remastered re-release
}}
{{Singles
 | name        = Cryptic Writings
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Trust (Megadeth song)|Trust]]
 | single1date = May 8, 1997
 | single2     = Almost Honest
 | single2date = November 26, 1997
 | single3     = [[Use the Man]]
 | single3date = December 1997
 | single4     = A Secret Place
 | single4date = February 1998
}}
}}

'''''Cryptic Writings''''' is the seventh studio album by American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Megadeth]]. Released on June 17, 1997, through [[Capitol Records]],<ref>{{Citation |title=Megadeth - Cryptic Writings Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/cryptic-writings-mw0000023863 |access-date=2023-10-21 |language=en}}</ref> it was the band's last studio album to feature drummer [[Nick Menza]]. His departure would mark the end of the band's longest lasting lineup to date, having recorded four studio albums. Megadeth decided to produce the record with [[Dann Huff]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], because they were not satisfied with their previous producer [[Max Norman]]. The album features twelve tracks with accessible song structures, specifically aimed for [[radio]] [[airplay]]. The lyrics were also altered, in order to make the music more inclusive for wider audience. These changes were met with mixed opinions from [[music journalism|music critics]], who noted the band moving away from their [[thrash metal]] roots.

The album debuted at number 10 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in October 1997 for shipping 500,000 copies in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeths-countdown-to-extinction-live-cd-first-week-sales-revealed/|title=Megadeth's 'Countdown To Extinction: Live' Cd: First Week Sales Revealed – Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=March 26, 2015|archive-date=February 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227010107/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeths-countdown-to-extinction-live-cd-first-week-sales-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first 500,000 copies of ''Cryptic Writings'' in the U.S. were released with silver background album cover. A remixed and remastered version, featuring four bonus tracks, was released in 2004. Seven years after its original release, the album sold 850,000 copies in the United States and won widespread praise from [[Mainstream rock|rock radio]] programmers. The song "[[Trust (Megadeth song)|Trust]]" was nominated for [[Best Metal Performance]] at the [[40th Annual Grammy Awards|1998 Grammy Awards]] and became the band's highest charting song on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock Tracks]].

== Background and recording ==
In 1992, Megadeth released ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]'', which contained songs with compact, accessible structures that resulted in strong sales and significant radio airplay. 1994's ''[[Youthanasia]]'' and 1997's ''Cryptic Writings'' followed a similar route, with the latter spawning four top 20 hits.<ref name="Billboard 1">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings&pg=PA84|access-date=August 7, 2013|last=Michael Moses|first=Dan Kaye|title=What Did You Do In The War, Daddy?|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=H-12|date=June 5, 1999|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917214438/https://books.google.com/books?id=tQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings&pg=PA84|url-status=live}}</ref> Frontman [[Dave Mustaine]], speaking about the band's commercial breakthrough, said: "I think a lot of our success now has to do with the fact that we're willing to study the marketplace and educate ourselves. Most musicians don't get the opportunity to go into the market with educated strategy. Fortunately, for us, our management educated us on how to study what's current without losing our integrity and to keep on edge while staying at the forefront of what's important right now."<ref name="Billboard 2">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5AkEAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings&pg=PA74|access-date=August 7, 2013|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|title=Metal Mainstay Megadeth Alters Its Lyrics But Not Its Music For The '90s|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=H-74|date=November 29, 1997|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917214436/https://books.google.com/books?id=5AkEAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings&pg=PA74|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to guitarist [[Marty Friedman]], it took the band a year to prepare the record "from note one to [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]". A lot of the material was written during the tour and some of it afterwards. As Friedman said, the songs came together naturally because the band wasn't rushed to get a record out.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marty Friedman interview|url=http://rocknoteswebzine.com/interviews/marty-friedman-interview/|work=Rocknotes Webzine|date=January 10, 1998|access-date=August 7, 2013|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922084110/http://rocknoteswebzine.com/interviews/marty-friedman-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album was produced by [[Dann Huff]], who had his producing debut with Megadeth. The band chose to work with Huff because they were not satisfied with [[Max Norman]], the producer of their previous record. Mustaine explained why he decided to quit the collaboration with Norman: "Max came up with this bullshit formula that every song had to be 120 [[tempo|beats per minute]] to get on the radio. When people make drastic decisions to do things like that and it backfires, it usually ends up, in one way or another, costing them their jobs."<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Kitts|title=Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman return to worship at metal's altar with Cryptic Writings|url=http://www.martyfriedman.com/info_archive_detail.php?id=11&det=56|work=[[Guitar World]]|publisher=[[Marty Friedman]]|date=January 1, 1997|access-date=August 27, 2013|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109153640/http://www.martyfriedman.com/info_archive_detail.php?id=11&det=56|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the start of the recording sessions, bassist [[David Ellefson]] stated that the band doesn't want their seventh studio album to sound like anything they have already recorded.<ref name="Ellefson">{{cite web|title=Interview with David Ellefson|url=http://chainz.8m.com/inter3.html|work=8m.com|access-date=August 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109155928/http://chainz.8m.com/inter3.html|archive-date=January 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Instrumentally, the band introduced a more melodic mix than the previous albums, filled with crunchy [[ostinato#Riff|riffs]] and speedy [[guitar solo]]s.<ref name="band" /> In addition, Mustaine re-evaluated the band's songwriting techniques, recasting some lyrics to better reflect the sales and radio airplay environment of then's rock arena. According to him, many of the song's lyrics were altered in order to make the music "a little more inclusive of people who aren't into dying and evil".<ref name="Billboard 2" /> Ellefson commented that this album was a natural progression in Megadeth's sound. He further stated that they were not trying to leave behind their thrash metal and heavy metal roots, but to broaden their musical horizons.<ref name="Ellefson" />

==Artwork and release==
The symbol depicted on the cover is a [[veve]], a [[Haitian Vodou|voodoo]] sign. According to Ellefson, the original concept for the album's cover was very different, however, it was changed at the last minute. According to Menza, "The original album title was going to be ''Needles and Pins''. The cover was supposed to be a girl holding a [[Kewpie]] with a bunch of pins in it... she's stabbing the doll with a syringe in the chest. That didn't fly."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/albums_cryptic.html |title=The Realms of Deth - Megadeth Albums - Cryptic Writings |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024063817/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/albums_cryptic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The title derives from the song "[[Needles and Pins (song)|Needles and Pins]]" by [[The Searchers (band)|The Searchers]], used as incidental music in "[[Use the Man]]". Aside from being a lyric, Ellefson stated that there was not really any correlation between the title and the music on the album.<ref name=EllefsonInterview>{{cite web|title=Set The World on Fire – David Ellefson Interview archived at the Realms of Deth|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_rockonline1998.html|work=Rock Online|access-date=October 21, 2012|archive-date=June 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612125917/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_rockonline1998.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first 500,000 copies of ''Cryptic Writings'' in the United States were released with an album cover featuring a silver background.<ref name="band">{{cite web|title=Cryptic Writings (1997)|url=http://www.megadeth.com/release/cryptic-writings|work=Megadeth.com|access-date=August 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817162646/http://www.megadeth.com/release/cryptic-writings|archive-date=August 17, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> These releases also included a [[Vic Rattlehead]] collectible card which promoted "The Cryptic Writings Of Megadeth", an issue run by [[Chaos Comics]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Shirley|first=Ian|title=Can Rock & Roll Save the World?: An Illustrated History of Music and Comics|year=2005|publisher=SAF Publishing Ltd|isbn=0-946719-80-2|page=80|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rGhccTlnwSUC&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings+cover+comics&pg=PA80}}</ref> Later US pressings features the same artwork with a black background instead. The black background album cover is also featured in the remasters.<ref name="booklet" />

The album sold 75,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at number 10 on [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Worcester Telegram & Gazette]]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADF86E0D629DAC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Metal Maintains Megadeth|date=August 10, 1997|quote=For example, 'Cryptic Writings' sold 75000 units immediately upon release, making its debut at No. 10 on Billboard magazine's record sales chart in mid-June&nbsp;...|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019231906/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADF86E0D629DAC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Four months after its release, the record was certificated [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipping half million copies in the US,<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Megadeth&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50|title=RIAA Gold and Platinum Database Search|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=September 24, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626051113/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS|archive-date=June 26, 2007}}</ref> of which 383,000 were sold according to [[Nielsen Soundscan]].<ref name="Billboard 2" /> Two years after its original release, the album sold 850,000 copies in the United States and won widespread praise from rock radio programmers.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reesman|first=Bryan|title=Megadeth's 'Risk' Set To Ride Metal's Revival|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 7, 1999|page=H-15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=megadeth+cryptic+writings&pg=PA15|access-date=August 7, 2013}}</ref> However, ''Cryptic Writings'' did not enjoy particular chart success on international level. It only managed to peak at number two on the [[Finnish Albums Chart]], where it charted for eleven weeks. Elsewhere, it didn't enter into the top 10.<ref name="Hung Medien">{{cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Megadeth&titel=Cryptic+Writings&cat=a |title=Megadeth – Cryptic Writings |access-date=December 4, 2008 |publisher=Hung Medien |archive-date=May 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525213945/https://www.webcitation.org/66rpkZa4Q?url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp%3Finterpret=Megadeth |url-status=live }}</ref> It eventually received a gold certification from the [[Music Canada|Canadian Music Association]] for shipping 50,000 copies.<ref name="canada cert">{{cite web|url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=Cryptic+Writings&sa=Megadeth&smt=0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130807145930/http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=Cryptic+Writings&sa=Megadeth&smt=0|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2013|title=Canadian album certifications – Megadeth – Cryptic Writings|publisher=[[Music Canada]]|access-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>

A remixed and remastered version, featuring four bonus tracks, was released in 2004 through [[Capitol Records]] as part of the group's reissued back catalogue.<ref>{{cite news|title=Megadeth's 'She-Wolf' Remixed And Remastered: Free Download Available!|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24572|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=July 9, 2004|access-date=August 9, 2013|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216113503/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-s-she-wolf-remixed-and-remastered-free-download-available/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the liner notes of the remastered version of ''Cryptic Writings'', Dave Mustaine had to alter many lyrics at the request of their new manager, Bud Prager. The liner notes suggest that Mustaine was not a fan of the changes, but other interviews indicate the band actively sought and eventually accepted Prager's advice for the album. "I figured maybe this guy (Prager) could help me get that intangible number one record I wanted so badly", Mustaine wrote in the liner notes.<ref name="booklet">{{cite AV media notes|title=Cryptic Writings|type=CD liner notes|others=Megadeth|year=1997|publisher=[[Capitol Records]]}}</ref>

It is the first Megadeth album not to feature the band's classic logo on the front cover, but it appears on the album's remastered version.

== Composition ==
{{Listen
|pos = right
|filename = She-Wolf.ogg
|title="She-Wolf"
|description = ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' journalist Dean Golemis cited "She-Wolf" as an example of the band's "melodic thrash" approach.<ref name="Chicago">{{cite news|last=Golemis|first=Dean|date=July 4, 1997|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/07/04/megadethcryptic-writings-capitol-stareven-more-annoying-than/|title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings (Capitol)|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=October 23, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020015/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-07-04/entertainment/9707040188_1_megadeth-nick-menza-fff|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

Mustaine pointed out that four of the album's 12 tracks are "fast, hard and crunchy". Referring to the musical direction of the album, [[MTV]]'s writer P.R. Flack noted that "The Disintegrators" and "FFF" were rooted in the thrash metal genre, and ranked them among the fastest tracks on the record.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flack|first=P.R.|title=Cryptic Writings Coming Soon From Megadeth|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/509467/cryptic-writings-coming-soon-from-megadeth.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=January 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113202105/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/509467/cryptic-writings-coming-soon-from-megadeth.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Neil Arnold of ''[[Metal Forces]]'' highlighted the tune "Vortex", which according to him, features some of the album's best guitar work.<ref name="Metal Forces" /> However, a number of songs, particularly "I'll Get Even" and "[[Use the Man]]", carried a more [[rock music|rock]]-oriented sound, which contributed to the album's diverse style.<ref name="Chicago" /> Lyrically, the album does not have a distinct subject matter, but focuses on numerous themes instead. "She-Wolf" tells of a "wicked temptress with mystic lips and lusting eyes."<ref>{{cite web|first=Don|last=Jamieson|title=Top 10 Metal Songs About Cannibalism|url=http://loudwire.com/top-metal-songs-about-cannibalism/|work=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=August 30, 2012|archive-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802031633/http://loudwire.com/top-metal-songs-about-cannibalism/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mustaine has also stated that the song is about "An ex-wife and an ex-friend."<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv2WqU4pbkY&feature=youtu.be |title=Megadeth “She Wolf” Ball Arena Denver 8-6-24 |date=2024-08-06 |last=David's Concert Archive |access-date=2024-08-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> "Mastermind" has been stated by Mustaine as being about "the computerization of the world."<ref>{{cite web|title=An Ugly American – Dave Mustaine interview archived at The Realms of Deth|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_rockmetal2001.html|work=Rockmetal.pl|access-date=October 20, 2012|archive-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214232254/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/interviews_rockmetal2001.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

"[[Trust (Megadeth song)|Trust]]" was released as the record's lead single. The song was developed from "Absolution", an instrumental track recorded on a [[demo (music)|demo]] during the studio sessions of their previous album.<ref name="Singles">{{cite web|title=Megadeth Lyrics – Cryptic Writings|url=http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/lyrics_cryptic.html#Trust|publisher=Rockmetal.art.pl|access-date=January 9, 2014|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526015511/http://megadeth.rockmetal.art.pl/lyrics_cryptic.html#Trust|url-status=live}}</ref> "Trust" peaked at number five on the US [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart, thus becoming the band's highest charting song on that chart. It was nominated for "[[Best Metal Performance]]" at the [[1998 Grammy Awards]].<ref name="band" /> "Almost Honest" was the second single of the album, and like its predecessor, entered the top ten on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Mainstream Rock chart, peaking at number eight.<ref name=AMCharts>{{cite web|title=Cryptic Writings – Megadeth – Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cryptic-writings-mw0000023863/awards|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/megadeth/chart-history/rtt/|title=Megadeth|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101110951/https://www.billboard.com/music/megadeth/chart-history/RTT/song/53561|url-status=live}}</ref> Mustaine stated that the song is about how people treat one another, which contains a message that "it's difficult for people to be honest". ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Chuck Taylor (writer and editor)|Chuck Taylor]] commented that the song contains catchy hooks and the band's "signature guitar howl" and classified it "somewhere between [[Def Leppard]] and [[Bon Jovi]]".<ref name="Billboard 2" /> "Use the Man" and "A Secret Place" were released as the third and fourth single, respectively. "Use the Man" (which started with a snippet of [[The Searchers (band)|The Searchers]]' "[[Needles and Pins (song)|Needles and Pins]]", which was removed in the 2004 remaster) is about drug addiction, while "A Secret Place" describes losing touch with reality. "Have Cool, Will Travel" is about school shootings; in the remastered version, a snippet of the schoolyard song "[[The Wheels on the Bus]]" was added to its introduction.<ref name="Singles" />

Three extended plays were released in support of ''Cryptic Writings''. Two of these featured live recordings from the ensuing tour while the other was a studio EP which featured instrumental versions of several album tracks. The live releases were entitled ''Live Trax'' and ''Live Trax II'', the first being released on June 30, 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r368504|pure_url=yes}} |title=Live Trax – Overview |access-date=December 4, 2008 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cryptic-writings-bonus-tracks-mw0000023863|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 12, 2013|archive-date=January 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103014445/http://www.allmusic.com/album/cryptic-writings-bonus-tracks-mw0000023863|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
|rev2score = 7/10<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |author-link1=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties |publisher=[[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |year=2007 |location=[[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |isbn=978-1-894959-62-9 |page=269}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev3Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref name="LA review">{{cite news|last=Masuo|first=Sandy|date=June 29, 1997|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-29-ca-7946-story.html|title=In Brief: ** Megadeth, "Cryptic Writing," Capitol.|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=November 12, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221931/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-29/entertainment/ca-7946_1_pop-music|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Metal Forces]]''
|rev4Score = 7/10<ref name="Metal Forces">{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=Neil|title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings|url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-megadeth-cryptic-writings/|work=[[Metal Forces]]|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112014200/http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-megadeth-cryptic-writings/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''Rock Hard''
|rev5Score = 8/10<ref name="Rock Hard">{{cite web|last=Schäfer|first=Wolfgang|title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings|url=http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/11224-cryptic-writings.html|work=Rock Hard|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112013704/http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen/11224-cryptic-writings.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev6Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=RSReview>{{cite magazine|last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/megadeth/albums/album/258853/review/5946247/cryptic_writings |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=July 10, 1997 |access-date=July 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107093810/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/megadeth/albums/album/258853/review/5946247/cryptic_writings |archive-date=November 7, 2007 }}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="New RS">{{cite book|last1=Brackett|first1=Nathan|last2=Hoard|first2=Christian David|title=[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|date=2004|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/534 534]}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
|rev8Score = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=July 1997 |title=Megadeth: ''Cryptic Writings'' |magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |page=101 |issue=2}}</ref>
}}

[[Music journalism|Music critics]] were divided on the record. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], reviewing the album for [[AllMusic]], reacted unenthusiastically toward it. He criticized Mustaine's ability to write more "ambitious" material and opined that the band "sounds better playing thrash." However, Erlewine did admire the band's desire to experiment with their sound.<ref name="Allmusic"/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' was more generous toward ''Cryptic Writings''. Reviewer Jon Wiederhorn commented that the album "should thrill [[Metallica]] fans who felt screwed by that band's thrashless 1996 album, ''[[Load (album)|Load]]''."<ref name=RSReview /> Dean Golemis of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' panned the album for being "predictable and annoying" and assumed that Megadeth were "destined to follow Metallica's leap into mainstream sounds".<ref name="Chicago" /> Author Thomas Harrison also noted the album for not making as much impact as their previous studio releases.<ref>{{cite book|last=Harrison|first=Thomas|title=Music of the 1990s|year=2011|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-0-313-37943-7|page=74|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZycX04rxTcC&q=music+of+the+1990s}}</ref>

Consumable Online's Simon Speichert wrote positively about the record, qualifying it as "pure, solid heavy metal". He noted that the album contains various kinds of tunes and named it "one of the best metal records of 1997".<ref>{{cite web|last=Speichert|first=Simon|title=Review: Megadeth, Cryptic Writings (Capitol)|url=http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1997/09.01/revmegad.html|work=Consumable Online|access-date=August 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809113752/http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1997/09.01/revmegad.html|archive-date=August 9, 2013}}</ref> Neil Arnold from ''[[Metal Forces]]'' observed that ''Cryptic Writings'' is not "a bad record", though it comes "pale" in comparison to their 1994 opus ''[[Youthanasia]]''. Arnold went on to comment that the album confirms Megadeth are "no longer a thrash band".<ref name="Metal Forces" /> Wolfgang Schäfer, from the German metal magazine ''Rock Hard'', stated that ''Cryptic Writings'' followed the musical direction of its predecessors. He described the album as a "balanced mix of typical Megadeth rockers and some experimental songs".<ref name="Rock Hard" /> Shane Mehling of ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' reflected that the "nearly thrashless" ''Cryptic Writings'', alongside Metallica's ''Load'' and ''[[Reload (Metallica album)|Reload]]'' (1997), left the "metal community [...] trying to pick up the pieces".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mehling |first1=Shane |title=They Did It All for the Nookie: Decibel Explores the Rise and Fall of Nu-Metal |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/08/13/they-did-it-all-for-the-nookie-decibel-explores-the-rise-and-fall-of-nu-metal/ |website=Decibel |access-date=August 26, 2024 |date=August 13, 2015}}</ref>

==Touring==
Megadeth supported the album with a world tour that started in the summer of 1997. [[Misfits (band)|The Misfits]] were the opening act of these live shows, one of which was the band's first all-acoustic performance that took place in Argentina.<ref name="Tour">{{cite web|title=Megadeth History (1997)|url=http://www.megadeth.com/history|publisher=Megadeth.com|access-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017093309/http://www.megadeth.com/history|archive-date=October 17, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following summer, the group participated in [[Ozzfest lineups by year#Ozzfest 1998|Ozzfest '98]] for the dates in the United States. These live shows were the last for drummer [[Nick Menza]], who was fired subsequently. Menza began to suffer knee problems and escalating pain during the tour. He was diagnosed with a tumor and underwent surgery which waylaid him briefly. However, the tumor was benign and Menza was eager to rejoin his bandmates, who had continued the tour with [[Jimmy DeGrasso]]. Although DeGrasso was hired as a temporary replacement, he stayed with the band for the recording of their next two studio albums. Menza stated that Mustaine had dismissed him from the band two days after his knee surgery via phone call telling him that his services "were no longer needed".<ref>{{cite web|title=20 question with ex-Megadeth drummer Nick Menza|url=http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=28655|publisher=Metal Sludge|date=March 12, 2002|access-date=November 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111105113/http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=28655|archive-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> On the other hand, Dave Mustaine believed that Menza had lied about his injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Menza: "I Was Fired From Megadeth Two Days After Surgery"|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nick-menza-i-was-fired-from-megadeth-two-days-after-surgery/|work=RockRage|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=February 19, 2002|access-date=November 15, 2013|archive-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313230126/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nick-menza-i-was-fired-from-megadeth-two-days-after-surgery|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Track listing==
All songs written and composed by [[Dave Mustaine]] except where noted.<ref name="booklet" />
{{Track listing
| title1 = [[Trust (Megadeth song)|Trust]]
| music1 = Mustaine, [[Marty Friedman]]
| length1 = 5:11
| title2 = Almost Honest
| music2 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length2 = 4:02
| title3 = [[Use the Man]]
| note3 = 4:03 on the 2004 release
| music3 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length3 = 4:35
| title4 = Mastermind
| length4 = 3:48
| title5 = The Disintegrators
| note5 = 3:04 on the 2004 release
| length5 = 2:50
| title6 = I'll Get Even
| lyrics6 = Mustaine, Friedman, [[David Ellefson]], [[Brian Howe (singer)|Brian Howe]]
| music6 =  Mustaine, Friedman, Ellefson, Howe
| length6 = 4:23
| title7 = Sin
| lyrics7 = Mustaine, Ellefson, [[Nick Menza]]
| music7 = Mustaine, Ellefson, Menza
| length7 = 3:06
| title8 = A Secret Place
| length8 = 5:29
| title9 = Have Cool, Will Travel
| note9 = 3:40 on the 2004 release
| length9 = 3:28
| title10 = She-Wolf
| length10 = 3:36
| title11 = Vortex
| note11 = 3:23 on the 2004 release
| length11 = 3:38
| title12 = FFF
| note12 = 2:47 on the 2004 release
| music12 = Mustaine, Friedman, Ellefson, Menza
| length12 = 2:38
| total_length = 46:44<!--All track times sourced from CD release "7243 8 38262 2 3".-->
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track<ref name=Japan>{{cite book|title=Cryptic Writings ''back cover''|year=1997|edition=Japan|publisher=Capitol Records/Toshiba EMI}}</ref>
| title13 = One Thing
| lyrics13 = Mustaine
| music13 = Mustaine
| length13 = 4:38
| total_length = 51:22
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2004 remastered/remixed edition bonus tracks
| title13 = Trust
| note13 = Spanish version
| music13 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length13 = 5:12
| title14 = Evil That's Within
| note14 = alternative version of "Sin"
| lyrics14 = Mustaine, Ellefson, Menza
| music14 = Mustaine, Ellefson, Menza
| length14 = 3:22
| title15 = Vortex
| note15 = alternative version
| length15 = 3:30
| title16 = Bullprick
| note16 = alternative version of "FFF"
| music16 = Mustaine, Friedman, Menza, Ellefson
| length16 = 2:47
| total_length = 61:35
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = *''Live Trax''<ref>{{cite book|title=Live Trax ''back cover''|year=1997|edition=Japan|publisher=Capitol Records/Toshiba EMI}}</ref>
| title1 = Reckoning Day
| lyrics1 = Mustaine, Ellefson
| music1 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length1 = 4:23
| title2 = [[Peace Sells]]
| note2 = Uncredited
| lyrics2 = Mustaine
| music2 = Mustaine
| length2 = 3:54
| title3 = [[Angry Again]]
| lyrics3 = Mustaine
| music3 = Mustaine
| length3 = 3:26
| title4 = Use the Man
| lyrics4 = Mustaine
| music4 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length4 = 4:24
| title5 = [[Tornado of Souls]]
| lyrics5 = Mustaine, Ellefson
| music5 = Mustaine
| length5 = 5:52
| title6 = [[A Tout le Monde]]
| lyrics6 = Mustaine
| music6 = Mustaine
| length6 = 4:53
| title7 = She-Wolf
| lyrics7 = Mustaine
| music7 = Mustaine
| length7 = 3:42
| total_length = 30:56
}}

NOTE: – "Reckoning Day" & "Peace Sells" were joined together as one track with the running length of 8:19.

{{Track listing
| headline = *''Live Trax II''<ref>{{cite book|title=Cryptic Writings/Live Trax II ''2-disc set back cover (TOCP-50520~21)''|year=1998|edition=Japan|publisher=Capitol Records/Toshiba EMI}}</ref>
| title1 = Almost Honest
| lyrics1 = Mustaine
| music1 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length1 = 4:15
| title2 = A Tout le Monde
| lyrics2 = Mustaine
| music2 = Mustaine
| length2 = 4:50
| title3 = [[Sweating Bullets (song)|Sweating Bullets]]
| lyrics3 = Mustaine
| music3 = Mustaine
| length3 = 5:04
| title4 = [[Symphony of Destruction]]
| lyrics4 = Mustaine
| music4 = Mustaine
| length4 = 3:45
| title5 = [[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth cover|Anarchy in the U.K.]]
| lyrics5 = [[John Lydon|Johnny Rotten]], [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]], [[Glen Matlock]], [[Paul Cook]]
| music5 = Rotten, Jones, Matlock, Cook
| length5 = 3:54
| title6 = Almost Honest (Environmental Mix)
| lyrics6 = Mustaine
| music6 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length6 = 5:33
| title7 = Almost Honest (Supercharger Mix)
| lyrics7 = Mustaine
| music7 = Mustaine, Friedman
| length7 = 5:40
| total_length = 33:01
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = *''Cryptic Sounds: No Voices in Your Head''<ref>{{cite book|title=Cryptic Sounds ''back cover''|year=1998|edition=Japan|publisher=Capitol Records/Toshiba EMI}}</ref>
| title1 = Almost Honest
| length1 = 4:14
| title2 = Vortex
| length2 = 3:21
| title3 = Trust
| length3 = 5:30
| title4 = A Secret Place
| length4 = 5:29
| title5 = She-Wolf
| length5 = 3:07
| total_length = 21:27
}}

== Personnel ==
{|
|valign=top|
'''Megadeth'''
* [[Dave Mustaine]] – lead vocals, guitars
* [[David Ellefson]] – bass, backing vocals
* [[Marty Friedman]] – guitars, acoustic guitar, [[sitar]] on "A Secret Place", backing vocals
* [[Nick Menza]] – drums, backing vocals

'''Production'''
*[[Dann Huff]] – production
*Dave Mustaine – co-production
*Jeff Balding – recording, mixing
*Mark Hagen –  recording assistant, mixing assistant
*[[Bob Ludwig]] – mastering
*[[Hugh Syme]] – artwork
*Dimo Safari – photography
*Bud Prager – A & R direction, E.S.P. management
*Mike Renault – E.S.P. management
*[[Giles Martin]] – producer (remaster)

'''2004 remaster/remix'''
*Produced by Dave Mustaine
*Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine
*Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean
*[[Digital audio editor|Edited]] by Lance Dean, Scott "Sarge" Harrison, and Keith Schreiber with Bo Caldwell
*Mastered by Tom Baker
|}

== Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|43|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|30|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|44|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Canada|17|chartid=3250|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|48|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|European Albums ([[European Top 100 Albums]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-06-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Top 100 Albums - June 21, 1997|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=16|issue=49|page=12|date=June 21, 1997|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>
|19
|-
{{album chart|Finland|2|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|France|14|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|22|id=2557|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-07-12.pdf|title= Top National Sellers - July 12, 1997|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=16|issue=49|page=14|date=July 12, 1997|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>
|1
|-
! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=November 8, 2023}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Megadeth".</ref>
|16
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| align="center"| 7
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|34|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|32|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|Portuguese Albums ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-06-21.pdf|title= Top National Sellers Portugal|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=16|issue=49|page=14|date=June 21, 1997|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"| 5
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|44|date=19970713|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|15|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|45|artist=Megadeth|album=Cryptic Writings|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|38|date=19970713|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|UKRock|3|date=19970713|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|10|artist=Megadeth|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1997|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 24, 2021|archive-date=January 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124021302/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 177
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Cryptic Writings|artist=Megadeth|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=megadeth&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Discos de Oro y Platino – Megadeth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928154908/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=megadeth&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=September 28, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|award=Gold|title=Cryptic Writings|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1997|certyear=2001}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|artist=Megadeth|title=Cryptic Writings|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|certmonth=6|access-date=December 27, 2020}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Risk|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1997|type=album|region=South Korea|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=575129|title = Megadeth Cryptic Writings (Official Korean EMI Music Korea Ltd. in-house Award issued in recognition of the album reaching Gold Status}}</ref>|salesamount=15,000|salesref=<ref name=IFPI>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/certification-award-levels.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109165528/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/certification-award-levels.pdf|archive-date=9 January 2007|url-status=dead|title=Certification Award Levels|publisher=[[IFPI]]|access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|award=Gold|title=Cryptic Writings|artist=Megadeth|relyear=1997|certyear=1997}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|32951|name=Cryptic Writings}}

{{Megadeth}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1997 albums]]
[[Category:Megadeth albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Dann Huff]]
[[Category:Capitol Records albums]]
[[Category:Alternative metal albums by American artists]]