Megadeth - "Dystopia"

Megadeth - Dystopia 
2016, T-Boy

1. The Threat Is Real
2. Dystopia
3. Fatal Illusion
4. Death From Within
5. Bullet To The Brain
6. Post American World
7. Poisonous Shadows
8. Conquer Or Die!
9. Lying In State
10. The Emperor
11. Foreign Policy

Wow...well...I guess Dave Mustaine took the criticisms of Super Collider to heart because Dystopia is a lean, mean, thrash machine! Seriously, this is probably the heaviest and thrashiest album of the band's latter period. I would also go as far to say as it's one of the best of their career. The band is on the top of their game here with solid heavy riffs. The guitar tones here are a lot meatier and thicker than they've ever been. Couple that with a bit more modern production and...whoa...heavy. We've even got some throwback acoustic passages and a full on thrash instrumental in "Conquer or Die!" I will say that some of Dave's lyrics are kind of pushing the boundary into crazy paranoia conspiracy theory. Granted that's always kind of been his style but, honestly, the man has been able to make crazy paranoid music for decades - maybe the system is not after him, y'know? Anyway, it's good to see the band back with a fierce thrash album that could be a contender for a pick of the year!

Useless Fact: "Foreign Policy" is a cover but I don't know who did the original. Probably my least favorite song on the album and not one of their better covers.

Megadeth - "Super Collider"

Megadeth - Super Collider
2013, UMe

1. Kingmaker
2. Super Collider
3. Burn!
4. Built For War
5. Off the Edge
6. Dance In the Rain
7. Beginning of Sorrow
8. The Blackest Crow
9. Forget to Remember
10. Don't Turn Your Back...
11. Cold Sweat

I was surprised by how much ire Super Collider has drawn from fans. After the title track was released people were decrying the album as a dud. A return to the pop-rock of Risk. Is that true? Let me think for a minute...uh.....NO! It's not even remotely true. While the album is a lot more melodic and diverse it's far from bubblegum. Songs like "Kingmaker," "Burn!," and "Built For War" are infectious metal tracks. Then there's "Dance In the Rain" which slows things down until blasting away at the end. It also features Disturbed's David Draimen on vocals. He's okay. He doesn't hurt the song any but I wasn't wowed. "The Blackest Crow" is also of note as it features banjo and a little (a smidgen) of country flavor. Don't get me wrong, it still rocks hard. The album closes with "Cold Sweat," a Thin Lizzy cover and one of the best tracks on the album. It almost seems like Dave Mustaine wanted to make more of a hard rock record. Except, unlike Cryptic Writings and Risk where his hand was being forced, Super Collider is pure Dave. I do like this album a lot, even if it's missing some of the furious thrash riffing Megadeth is known for. But honestly, after having consistently great albums since 2004's The System Has Failed, Dave & co. don't really owe me anything. I'm content to just sit back and enjoy whatever they create. I will admit that the album does seem a tad rushed. I think some of these songs could have used a bit more polish. A minor quibble, however. I don't know how Super Collider will stand the test of time, but for now it's definitely a fun summer listen.

Useless Fact: The band must have visited the famed Hadron Super Collider because the liner notes are filled with pictures of it. The artwork (bland cover aside) is quite beautiful.

Megadeth - "Th1rt3en"

Megadeth - Th1rt3en
2011, Roadrunner

1. Sudden Death
2. Public Enemy No. 1
3. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
4. We the People
5. Guns, Drugs, & Money
6. Never Dead
7. New World Order
8. Fast Lane
9. Black Swan
10. Wrecker
11. Millennium of the Blind
12. Deadly Nightshade
13. Th1rt3en

Ever since Megadeth's 2004 reboot, Dave & co. have managed to produce consistently good albums. I'm happy to say that the trend continues with Th1rt3en. It's in the same general vein as the past few discs though I think this one is a bit more melodic and accessible than 2009's Endgame. It's more Youthanasia than Rust in Peace. Some of Megadeth's best tunes are found here too in the form of "Public Enemy No. 1" and "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)." Longtime bassist and future seminary student, Dave Ellefson, returns to the fold for this album as well. While Th1rt3en is by no means an earth-shattering release, for fans like me it definitely hits the spot. I don't like the cover, however. It sort of looks like Vic Rattlehead is standing in front of a dingy bathroom stall.

Useless Fact: Several songs on this album aren't really "new" per se. "Sudden Death" was released on one of the Rock Band or Guitar Hero games, "New World Order" was on some other album back in the day, "Black Swan" was on a special edition of United Abominations, and "Millennium of the Blind" is an expansion of an extra track on the Youthanasia reissue. Also, there are some symbols in the liner notes that represent each of the band's albums.

Megadeth - "Killing is My Business... And Business is Good!"

Megadeth - Killing is My Business... And Business is Good!
1985/2002, Loud

1. Last Rites/Loved to Death
2. Killing is My Business... And Business is Good
3. The Skull Beneath the Skin
4. Rattlehead
5. Chosen Ones
6. Looking Down the Cross
7. Mechanix
8. These Boots
Bonus Tracks
9. Last Rites/Loved to Death (Demo)
10. Mechanix (Demo)
11. The Skull Beneath the Skin (Demo)

Killing is My Business is probably one of those albums I would have loved if I would have heard it back in '85. Now, however? Well, everyone knows the Megadeth story. After Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica he started Megadeth with the intent on being the fastest, most dangerous band around. Killing perfectly captures this attitude as the songs are fast and furious. Unfortunately to someone who's been used to Rust in Peace and on, it also sounds sloppy and frantic. Even in the opening number, "Last Rites/Loved to Death" it's kind of hard to get a bead on the rhythm at first. There's not too much in the way of hooks either. It's literally Dave and co. just thrashing through the songs as hard as they can. I will say that I prefer "Mechanix" over "The Four Horseman" (It's the same song, by the way, only Megadeth's is pervy). There's also a cover of "These Boots" but for some reason they decided to bleep out any swearing Dave added to the song...which is a LOT. Which means half of the song is beeps - very annoying. This is a reissue so it's been remastered. Having never heard the original I can't say how this improves the sound but I'm sure that it does. There's also some bonus tracks that I never listened to because I don't generally care about demos. While it's good to hear how this band (which remains one of my favorites) got its start, I don't think I will be going back to this album as much as their later stuff.

Useless Fact: According to the liner notes the cover pictured is the one they really wanted at first. They were really disappointed with the original cover.

Megadeth - "Endgame"

Megadeth - Endgame

2009, Roadrunner

1. Dialectic Chaos

2. This Day We Fight!

3. 44 Minutes

4. 1320

5. Bite the Hand

6. Bodies

7. Endgame

8. The Hardest Part of Letting Go...Seal With a Kiss

9. Headcrusher

10. How the Story Ends

11. The Right to Go Insane

Wow...just...wow. Sorry... I'm still kind of reeling from the pummeling this album gave me. This album is kind of like Rust in Peace on steroids. It's heavier, more technical, and arguably faster than their previous masterpiece. Almost like this album is intent on making that album cry like a little girly man. Seriously, age hasn't slown Dave and the boys down AT ALL. Granted, track 8 is a "ballad" and there are a few more mid-paced songs, but make no mistake - Megadeth is not playing around here. I've listened to this several times and I have to confess it's just now starting to grow on me. The problem with all the furious riffing and expert lead work is that it makes the album a little inaccessible. Almost as if it's challenging you to pry it open and learn its secrets. I'm just now starting to penetrate that hard casing and appreciate just what's going on here. "44 Minutes," "1320," and "Headcrusher" probably have the most easly recognized hooks. I just hope there's a radio station out there brave enough to play "Headcrusher" because it is one monster tune.

On another note I'm just going to come right out and say it: Megadeth is a better band than Metallica. Megadeth has been able to pull of a return to form that Metallica is still trying to manage. While Death Magnetic seems like Metallica struggling to recapture their magic, Davey boy's had it all this time. Kudos to him!

Useless Fact: There's a video for "Headcrusher" out there but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the song.

Megadeth - "The System Has Failed"

Megadeth - The System Has Failed

2004, Sanctuary

1. Blackmail the Universe

2. Die Dead Enough

3. Kick the Chair

4. The Scorpion

5. Tears in a Vial

6. I Know Jack

7. Back in the Day

8. Something That I'm Not

9. Truth Be Told

10. Of Mice and Men

11. Shadow of Deth

12. My Kingdom

Most describe this disc as a return to form and it absolutely is. The political rants are back. Mustaine's trademark snarl is back. Even the fast complicated riffs of old are back. From the pummelling notes of "Blackmail the Universe" you know it's on! Megadeth rises from the ashes of the metal meltdown of the late 90's and early 00's and puts out this brilliant and fresh release. While it's not quite as heavy as some of the earlier material I think it's a good mix of everything 'Deth has done but with an emphasis on technical thrash instead of commercial appeal. I like how the disc switches from a more melodic sounding song like "Die Dead Enough" and then kick into gear and tear it up with "Kick the Chair." This is, by far, one of my favorite Megadeth platters.

Useless Fact: Some record store clerk told me that Dave's struggle with nerve damage was just a set up to get out of his record contract. I don't think that's true... anyone have the real story? Also, "Shadow of Deth" is a reading of Psalm 23 and is meant to be Dave Mustaine's statement of faith.

Megadeth - "Cryptic Writings"

Megadeth - Cryptic Writings

1997/2004, Capitol

1. Trust

2. Almost Honest

3. Use the Man

4. Masterminds

5. The Disintigrators

6. I'll Get Even

7. Sin

8. A Secret Place

9. Have Cool, Will Travel

10. She-Wolf

11. Vortex

12. FFF

Bonus Tracks:

13. Trust (Spanish Version)

14. The Evil That's Within

15. Vortex (Alternate Version)

16. Bullprick

Megadeth's emphasis on melody continues here and the band adds some pop/rock sheen to the proceedings too. Though there's plenty of good metal to be had here. "Use the Man" has a cool thrash breakdown, "The Disintigrators" is fast and furious (not to mention one of my favorite 'Deth tracks ever), and "She-Wolf" is another thrasher that's a concert favorite to this day. I'm kind of glad I got to this disc after all these years because I don't really have any issues with it - even though it's the most commercial album the band did up until this point. I like this even better than Youthanasia! I might get crap for saying this but I think, as a whole, this disc has stronger songs than the previous one.

Useless Fact: I think it was at this point that the other people in the band and the management were trying to get Dave to make Megadeth into a total pop/rock band.

Megadeth - "Youthanasia"

Megadeth - Youthanasia

1994/2004, Capitol

1. Reckoning Day

2. Train of Consequences

3. Addicted to Chaos

4. A Tout Le Monde

5. Elysian Fields

6. The Killing Road

7. Blood of Heroes

8. Family Tree

9. Youthanasia

10. I Thought I Knew It All

11. Black Curtains

12. Victory

Bonus Tracks:

13. Millenium of the Blind

14. New World Order (Demo)

15. Absolution (Demo)

16. A Tout Le Monde (Demo)

Youthanasia proves to be a further refining of the sound of the last album. They've slowed down quite a bit here and except for a few tracks like "Reckoning Day" and "Victory" pretty much stay in a mid-paced. There's also far more emphasis on melody as well. I really like a lot of the songs on here, especially "Train of Consequences," "Family Tree," and "Victory" but as a whole I don't think this album is as strong as the last few. I don't really listen to this one as much either. I will say that "A Tout Le Monde" is beautiful especially considering Megadeth has never been known for beauty and Dave Mustaine has never been known as a vocal powerhouse.

Useless Fact: For those few who are reading this Megadeth review and don't already know it, "Victory" contains the titles of various songs and albums in the lyrics. I used to think it was cheesy and dumb, but now I think it's kind of cool.

Megadeth - "Countdown to Extinction"

Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction

1992/2004, Capitol

1. Skin O' My Teeth

2. Symphony of Destruction

3. Architecture of Aggression

4. Foreclosure of a Dream

5. Sweating Bullets

6. This Was My Life

7. Countdown to Extinction

8. High Speed Dirt

9. Psychotron

10. Captive Honor

11. Ashes in Your Mouth

Bonus Tracks:

12. Crown of Worms

13. Countdown to Extinction (Demo)

14. Symphony of Destruction (Demo)

15. Psychotron (Demo)

Here we go... the sellout. But... wait a minute! This is actually pretty good. No, not pretty good. How about "friggin' awesome!" I think of all the metal bands that tried their hand at commercial success, Megadeth did it the best. Mustaine somehow melded the furious technical thrash he was known for and fused it with some pop-appeal but didn't compromise on the heavy. There's so love ballads or anything here, not like some other bands I know *cough* *cough* Metallica *cough*. While the band does slow down some for a few songs ("Foreclosure of a Dream" is the best example) there are plenty of full throttle metal tracks to make me happy. It's too bad that they never got that #1 spot!

Quick word on the extra tracks: I think the demos here are actually better than what made it on the album, so they're definitely worth listening to! The unreleased track "Crown of Worms" is a blazing slice of metal too.

Useless Fact: According to the liner notes of my reissue, when Dave Mustaine heard that Countdown reached #2 he was PISSED! Mainly because he's made it his life's mission to show up Metallica.

Megadeth - "Rust in Peace"

Megadeth - Rust in Peace

1990/2004, Capitol

1. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due

2. Hangar 18

3. Take No Prisoners

4. Five Magics

5. Poison Was the Cure

6. Lucretia

7. Tornado of Souls

8. Dawn Patrol

9. Rust in Peace...Polaris

Bonus Tracks:

10. My Creation

11. Rust in Peace...Polaris (Demo)

12. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due (Demo)

13. Take No Prisoners (Demo)

Dave Mustaine sobered up for this one... and it shows. Rust in Peace simply slays! The songs are fast and technical and filled with leads. Heck, "Hanger 18" has a whole section just devoted to 'em. Marty Friedman is quite the shredder as well. It seems like all these thrash bands from back in the day had a huge technical achievement album before their sellout album. This one is certainly one of the most technical in the 'Deth discography but I think the hooks aren't quite as apparent. It took me a few listens to really appreciate this one. I must say that "Tornado of Souls" and "Rust in Peace...Polaris" are among my favorite Megadeth tracks. The bonus track, "My Creation" isn't anything to be excited about really, and I don't think the demos are anything worth listening to over and over.

Useless Fact: My edition is the remastered and remixed version. The vocals on some of the songs sound like they were redone - "Take No Prisoners" and "Five Magics" specifically. I don't really care... they sound alright to me.