Dystopia / Megadeth (2016)

 

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

12. Me Hate You (Japanese Bonus Track)

 

"Super Collider" was bit disappointing, but Megadeth has returned with a strong album this time. I really liked the energy and aggression of the songs. The album consists of some feeling of "So Far, So Good" to "Rust in Peace" era (maybe due to the songs like track2) and "Endgame" and "Th1rt3en".

 

The choice of the new guitarist and drummer was nothing but surprise, but they did great job on this album. Kiko Loureiro's solos really matched with Megadeth sound. He also brough some new sound in the band, and we can hear that in the songs like tracks 7 and 8.

 

I know this album will be one of the best metal albums in year 2016!!

 

☆☆☆☆☆



Super Collider / Megadeth (2013)

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. Forgot to Remember

10. Don't Turn Your Back...

11. Cold Sweat

12. All I Want

13. A House Divided

14. Countdown to Extinction (Live At Fox Theater, Pomona, CA./2012)

Since Dave restarted Megadeth, he has been releasing the albums that meet expectation of Megadeth fans. Especially recent years, his music style has returned to his roots, "Intellectual Thrash Metal".

So, when I heard the leading tune from this album, track 2, I was bit surprised and worried. I was wondering if the band shifted their music direction. However, soon after I listened to this album, I figured that that was needless anxiety. When I first listened to track 1, it confirmed that Megadeth is Megadeth. It was a perfect thrash metal tune for the album. Track 2 is actually a good metal tune as well. 

The listening journey of the album went through quickly. I personally think that the highlight of the album is track 6. This song is very cold and dark yet dramatic. This kind of songs shows that how Dave grew as a songwriter. At the end, this song becomes fast and loud. This dramatic progression shows his true worth as the songwriter. David Draiman of "Disturbed" collaborate with Megadeth in this song. Track 9 is a killer tunes that has good riffs and catchy melody. A cover song, track 11, fits well in this album.

This album was not as exciting as last four albums. I guess the reason why is because this album does not have as many fast tunes as those three. Overall, this album showed that the band kept faith. It has essence of all of their past catalogues in 80's and 90's and successfully mixed them. One thing, I realized was that the tuning of music was dropped by one full note. Well, I understand that Dave is getting old, it was obvious that he was having hard time hitting high notes on the last tour. He still delivers great music, and there is nothing to complain.

In late 80's, Metallica turned into more progressive, their songs became longer. On the other hand, Megadeth  (or I would say Dave) was different. Their songs are complicated and dramatic, but they put that essence in 4 to 6 minutes. I am not comparing those two bands (which many people do, and I seriously think pointless...) but just saying that it is very interesting their music style was very different in this small music genre called thrash metal. It is applicable to bands such as Anthrax, Slayer, and Exodus, and maybe that is the reason why they are all still around today. Megadeth is Megadeth. I really hope that they will tour with this album. 

☆☆☆

Th1rt3en / Megadeth (2011)

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. 13

Lately, many reunion and comeback tours from 80's have been really thriving. It is very nostalgic for old fans and very fresh for new fans. However, it seems like many bands are not successful to deliver albums that comparable with their golden age. Megadeth is one of few bands that are successful at making great records that stands up to old catalogues from 80's and 90's. Once again, they brought us a great album. This album should be commemorated for the return of David Ellefson and the joining of Chris Broderick. I could tell how great the guitar skill of Chris is by watching live shows. However, he really brought new energy and good melody sense in his guitar play in this album.

I describe that the last album had the same feeling and mood of "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction". This time, I would say that they pressed forward with the same musical direction, yet it also has the same catchiness of "Cryptic Writings". "Cryptic Writings" was a great album that catchiness and Megadeth style metal coexisted. Nevertheless, that album did not have strong edge that they had in early career. This album is a mix of all of them. Track 2 is the prime example of it. It has strong edge in sound and riffs and good progression yet very catchy as well. Mustaine's songwriting skill compiled in this song. Track 8 is also another example of it. It has authentic metal essence. It can appeal to any kind of metal fans. The album also has strong Megadeth style metal songs as well such as tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10. I felt the mood of "The World Needs A Hero" from the song, track 13. It is very dramatic and somewhat spooky. He is good at that too.

I think this album really summarizes Megadeth's whole career. They have been making straightforward metal, yet it was also very varied. The amazing thing about this band (or perhaps Dave Mustaine) is that they have been walking the journey of finding their roots yet also extending their music style at the same time. I would say that, for overall quality, the last album was better. Nevertheless, this album is something that leads to the next stage to sublime their music.

☆☆☆☆

Endgame / Megadeth (2009)

1. Dialectic Chaos

2. This Day We Fight!

3. 44 Minutes

4. 1,320'

5. Bite The Hand

6. Bodies

7. Endgame

8. The Hardest Part Of Letting Go...Sealed With A Kiss

9. Head Crusher

10. How The Story Ends

11. The Right To Go Insane

Since his return to the scene, Dave Mustaine maintained his high composition skill and released two high quality album. He released once again a great record. "The System Has Failed" was very melodic, and "United Abominations" had universal appeal to heavy metal music. But, as a fan of their early music, those two albums were also little settled. At the beginning of his career, Megadeth had a lot of aggression. Of course, he is no longer a man of anger. He settled everything with Metallica and became a Christian. But, did he really lose the sharp edge he once had? Well, this album was a happy surprise for me. He showed the he still had strong sharp edge, and the album is full of great riffs. I personally felt that this album has the mood of "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction". 

From the instrumental number, track 1, the band shows full of aggression and power in track 2. Track 4 is another great song that reminds me of the time this band was called "Intellectual Thrash Metal". Out of many great metal tunes, track 9, which was released as a single, is very outstanding. The song progresses with riff and riff and riff. Megadeth music was very progressive in their early career but not long as many progressive rock/metal bands. Tracks 3. 5, 6, 7, and 10 would nicely fit in "Countdown To Extinction". These songs has not only good riffs but also hook in vocal lines. Track 8 is another excellent piece in this album. It is very dramatic and became one of climax in this album. Track 11 is another typical Megadeth song. You would think this is just a mid-tempo song at the beginning, but at the end, the song actually goes insane as the lyrics sing.

Overall, this album became more exciting than past two records. If you are a fan of early songs of this band. Please go and get this album. It won't disappoint you.

☆☆☆☆☆

United Abominations / Megadeth (2007)

1. Sleepwalker

2. Washington Is Next!

3. Never Walk Alone...A Call to Arms

4. United Abominations

5. Gears of War

6. Blessed Are the Dead

7. Pray For Blood

8. A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)

9. Amerikhastan

10. You're Dead

11. Burnt Ice

Megadeth was not a melodic metal band. It had really sharp edge on every single riff that Mustaine made at the beginning. He called it "Intellectual Thrash Metal". Then, Mustaine developed his skill as a singer, and the band sound started becoming more mellow. Mustaine returned with a great album. It was the most melodious album, in my opinion, in their career. Once again, he proved himself that he was the great riff master and melody maker.

Track 1 reminded me of their early era. He showed the world that he has not edge。In addition to that, the flow from track 1 to 2 is amazing! Even though you are not a Megadeth fan, you would love track 2 unless you hate heavy metal in general. Because the first 3 songs have such strong impact, you may not be as attracted to other songs, but this album's overall quality compares favorably with other albums. This album has the universal appeal to all kinds of metal fans.

☆☆☆☆

The System Has Failed / Megadeth (2004)

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

Since Dave Mustaine came back to the scene, he has never failed to meet expectation as Megadeth release their albums. It all started from this album, "The system has failed". When I heard that Dave left the metal scene due to his injury, that was truly devastating. When I heard his return, I was so excited and really looking forward to their new album. And then, this album came out. 

To be honest, I did not have strong impression when I listened to the album for the first time. I always considered Dave as the riff master, and I felt that there was not enough aggression and hook in riffs. However, as I listened to the album more, I realized that I was wrong. I think this album is the most melodious album of all time in their career. Songs such as "Die Dead Enough", "The Scorpion", and "Tears In Vial" has such beautiful minor melody lines. 

Riffs are very cool and show how Dave Mustaine is still the riff master. First, as I mentioned above, I did not have strong impression on riffs, but then I realized that riffs in this album were very melodious as well. Songs such as "Blackmail The Universe", "Kick The Chair", and "Back In The Day" show that Dave has not lost aggression and edge even though he is no longer an angry man he used to be. I have to say Dave Mustaine is one of few song writers that is from 80's who still make songs that are equivalent or perhaps better than some of his classic catalogs. 

☆☆☆☆