There’s a certain kind of cool factor when it comes to certain band mascots. A perfect example is Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead and the different variations of him. Let’s take a look…..
Vic Rattlehead’s appearance is very simple, that being a skeletal figure wearing a suit and like Iron Maiden’s Eddie, Vic Rattlehead has appeared on numerous albums, merch, etc. His creation is actually in the song lyrics “The Skull Beneath The Skin” off Megadeth’s first album Killing Is My Business….And Business Is Good. In fact the song is about Vic himself most notably “Prepare the patient’s 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.” It was Dave Mustaine himself who first sketched him out for the first album however, the record label (Combat Records) lost the artwork and they designed the now infamous terrible cover. This would be corrected for the record’s reissue but it was years before that happened. In his book, Dave is quoted as saying “The name of Vic stands for “victim.” 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 loose up there!” Which then led to the expression “to rattle one’s head” meaning head-bang.
Unlike other band mascots, Vic has not appeared on all of their releases. He first appeared on the first four record covers, those being Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good, Peace Sells But Who’s Buying, So Far So Good..So What, and Rust In Peace but not on any albums or compilations from 1991-2000 (except for the inside of the album booklets for Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia). Megadeth brought him (in a classic vibe sort of way) back for the 2001 album The World Needs A Hero as well as 2004’s The System Has Failed. In 2007 he was given a more human look for the album United Abominations but I never really cared for it. I always felt that it looked too cartoonish and thankfully this was a one time appearance. There was actually a fan contest to see who would draw the best variation of Vic and the winner received one of Dave’s signature ESP LTD guitars.
Over the years, several people have drawn Vic Rattlehead but the one drawn by Edward Repka seem to be the fan favorites. He was the one who drew Vic for Peace Sells and Rust In Peace and honestly those are my favorites too. From 2007 until now, Vic has appeared on pretty much all of their releases and merch so which version is your favorite? Do you like the classic version or maybe the DIY look of the Killing album cover?? Perhaps you prefer the United Abominations version?? Either way, you cannot deny the awesomeness that is Vic Rattlehead.
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