Greatest Hits: Back to the Start

The selection of tracks for the album was largely determined by fans, who voted on songs in polls on the band's website.[2] However, the inclusion of "Kill the King," a track originally released on Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years, was insisted upon by Mustaine.[3] To help promote the release, a new video was made for "Kill the King."[1]

Greatest Hits: Back to the Start reached No. 65 on the U.S. Billboard 200,[4] selling 17,441 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.[5] By December 16, 2005, the album had sold about 133,000 copies in the U.S.[6] The album was also certified gold in Canada (for 40,000 copies) in July 2011.[7] On July 23, 2011 in Toronto, Canada, the band was presented with gold plaques by EMI in recognition of the achievement.[8]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Blender	[9]
AllMusic	[10]

Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic critiqued the album for being more of a sampler and having a more "balanced" approach to the band's Capitol Records material, rather than focusing on Megadeth's first few records.[10]

[2]

• Dave Mustaine – lead vocals and lead and rhythm guitar on all tracks
• Marty Friedman – guitar on tracks 1, 4–7, 9, 11, 13, and 15–17
• Chris Poland – guitar on tracks 3, 10 and 12
• Al Pitrelli – guitar on tracks 8 and 14
• Jeff Young – guitar on "In My Darkest Hour"
• David Ellefson – bass on all tracks
• Nick Menza – drums on tracks 1, 4–7, 9, 11, 13, and 15–16
• Gar Samuelson – drums on tracks 3, 10 and 12
• Jimmy Degrasso – drums on tracks 8, 14, and 17
• Chuck Behler – drums on "In My Darkest Hour"

[2]