The Threat Is Real

For the Anthrax album, see Volume 8: The Threat Is Real.

"The Threat Is Real" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth, written by Dave Mustaine. It is the opening track from their fifteenth studio album Dystopia, which was released on January 22, 2016. The song was released as the album's second single on streaming services on November 25, 2015,^[1] and on vinyl on November 27, 2015.^[2]

"The Threat Is Real"
Single by Megadeth
from the album Dystopia
Released	November 25, 2015
Recorded	April–July 2015
Studio	Lattitude Studio South, Leiper's Fork, Tennessee
Genre	Thrash metal
Length	4:22
Label	Tradecraft/Universal
Songwriter(s)	Dave Mustaine
Producer(s)	Mustaine Chris Rakestraw
Megadeth singles chronology
"Fatal Illusion" (2015) "The Threat Is Real" (2015) "Dystopia" (2016)

Music video

The music video features the band members trapped in a jail cell inside of a dilapidated city.^[3] The story shown in the video continues with the album’s titular track’s music video,^[4] It was released on December 11, 2015.^[5]

Performances

The song debuted live in Denver, Colorado, on February 23, 2016.^[6] It is the second most performed song from the album, being played nearly 230 times as of September 2022.^[7] A live performance filmed at Hellfest 2016 was featured on the DVD of the Japanese Deluxe Edition of Dystopia.

Critical reception

The song was ranked the third greatest from the album by Return Of Rock.^[8]

Track listing

12-inch vinyl

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Threat Is Real"	Dave Mustaine	4:24
2.	"Foreign Policy" (Fear cover)	Lee Ving	2:28
Total length:			6:52

Personnel

Credits adapted from Dystopia liner notes.^[9]

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – lead and rhythm guitars, lead vocals
• Kiko Loureiro – lead guitars, backing vocals
• David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
• Chris Adler – drums

Additional musicians

• Farah Siraj – guest vocals
• Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals

Production and design

• Produced by Dave Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw
• Engineering by Chris Rakestraw
• Mixed by Josh Wilbur
• Pre-production by Cameron Webb
• Additional production by Jeff Balding
• Mastering by Ted Jensen
• Brent Elliott White – cover artwork

References

1. Mack, Emmy (October 16, 2015). "Dave Mustaine Talks About Megadeth's New Lineup, The New Book He Isn't Actually Writing & Being a Loony Toon". Musicfeeds.com. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
2. Barken, Jonathan. "Barken". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
3. Childers, Chad. "Megadeth Unleash 'The Threat Is Real' Video, Chris Adler Confirmed for Upcoming Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
4. "Megadeth - Dystopia". songfacts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
5. "'THE THREAT IS REAL' VIDEO PREMIERE". Megadeth.com. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
6. "Video: MEGADETH Performs New Song 'The Threat Is Real' Live For First Time". Blabbermouth. February 24, 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
7. "Dystopia by Megadeth". setlist.fm. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
8. "Dystopia Songs Ranked". Return Of Rock. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
9. Dystopia Liner notes. Universal Music Enterprises. 2016. p. 12.