The Megadeth Thread

[cwilder86]

While I can't say I agree with the criticisms on UA and Endgame. Especially Endgame (IMO, best album since Rust In Peace), I too am eagerly waiting for this new Megadeth disc. Hurry up and release this shit! lol

[cwilder86]

Giving this a bump. Fellow Megadeth fans...

www.megadeth.com

If you wanna hear the new single off the upcoming new album 13. Single is entitled Public Enemy No. 1

Also on the web site you will find the album art work and track listing for said upcoming album.

[RLP4ever]

@Charger
Yea, you're right on the money on that, mate, i.e. the return of Dave Ellefson and what that potentially means for the upcoming album with the devastating duo of Daves on Megadeth's guitars.

Especially Endgame (IMO, best album since Rust In Peace)

Oh well, given some of Megadeth's very second-rate stuff since 'RIP' (Risk, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, the over-rated Countdown to Extinction), I'd say it isn't really that hard to be the 'best' since 'RIP'. . But yea, I'm aware how Endgame ended up winning over a lot of people (former fans included) and helped make Megadeth a hot ticket item, all over again. And good for lucky you that you weren't let-down at all, by UA and Endgame. For me, both were over-hyped, yet rather underwhelming albums, overall. I know a few people who actually felt that way about Slayer's World Painted Blood; I really liked that album, though.

And, I've heard that new single, just last night. I liked it a fair bit.

[cwilder86]

Oh well, given some of Megadeth's very second-rate stuff since 'RIP' (Risk, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, the over-rated Countdown to Extinction), I'd say it isn't really that hard to be the 'best' since 'RIP'.

You have a good point here. There have been some bad albums in between Rust In Peace and Endgame. I'm sure I've said this a time or two on this message board already but for me Risk was just the utterly lowest point in Megadeth's career. Rock bottom as I'd call it. Every album after that has been an improvement. The World Needs A Hero (improving on risk, The System Has Failed (better than TWNAH), ect ect. You get where I am going with this. Totally agree with you how overrated Countdown is as well. I do however have some love for Youthanasia and Cryptic Writings. I found them to be decent efforts for being non thrash metal albums by a thrash metal band. (Even though CW had a few thrash songs snuck into the album).

I know a few people who actually felt that way about Slayer's World Painted Blood; I really liked that album, though.

Totally also agree about WPB. I really enjoy it as well despite it's criticisms of being boring and just a rehash of old school Slayer.

And, I've heard that new single, just last night. I liked it a fair bit.

Glad to hear you found it enjoyable.

[RLP4ever]

^
Good to know that you've at least properly heard the post-RIP Megadeth records. Despite being largely lacklustre and a let-down, I'd admit that there's still some of that infectious, inimitable Megadeth vibe to those albums. And heck, I sure liked both TWNAH and TSHF quite a lot, and happily welcomed the return of sorts to the more intense and metallic Megadeth of old that I loved. On second thoughts, I don't dislike Cryptic Writings like I do Risk and Youthanasia, for example. Indeed, I reckon CW was arguably the 'best' of Megadeth's 'worst' era. lol. I'm really craving an authentically, consistently 'heavy' new album from the band this time.

Re: Slayer
Yea, I have no truck with some fans' complaints about the supposed 'same old, same old' Slayer. I ain't bitchin' that Slayer never had a Black Album or a Risk, you know. I can honestly take more of Tom Araya's singing, and the band's signature lyrics and all; WPB was a wonderful album.

wilder, let's hope that Anthrax's Worship Music makes our roofs rattle really soon.

[SYMPTOMS of EVILWOMEN]

Peace Sells...But who buying? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Soul Sucker]

Four of the songs on this song are re-recordings. 'Millennium of the Blind' appeared on the Japanese edition of 'Youthanasia', 'New World order' appeared on the 'Duke Nuken: Music to Score By' album, 'Black Swan' appeared as a bonus track on 'United Abominations', and 'Sudden Death' appeared in 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock' last year.

[cwilder86]

wilder, let's hope that Anthrax's Worship Music makes our roofs rattle really soon.

Absolutely agreed sir!

[WhiteSabbath]

The new cd Thirteen will be out. I have heard 4 songs they are good.
What is everyone's opinion?

[fondula]

Broderick's been in the band for a while now so they've probably "gelled" more than the last album, which I did like even though parts of it sound like "work-in-progress". Ellefson is back now too, and that will probably effect the overall sound of the album. The songs I've heard are classic shredding Megadeth... looking forward to it. There were moments on Endgame where I couldn't help but to hear Jag Panzer because of Broderick; hopefully they've honed that blend of "classical influence" and "traditional Megadeth" a little more, and created a solid end-to-end product.

[cwilder86]

Looking forward to this very much! Picking it up on release day! Loved the songs I've heard so far.

[RLP4ever]

Despite the moderate disappointments I felt surrounding both 'UA' and 'Endgame', I'm still pretty keen about this upcoming latest Megadeth disc. Ellefson's return is one of the main attractions of the new album, as well. If only Gar (Samuelson) RIP were alive today.

So, I'm expecting an above-average, authentic thrash album from Dave and gang, this time. Hope they justify all the hype and fans' expectations in a way that Anthrax's 'Worship Music', for instance, apparently has not.

[Totentanz]

I'll give it a go, even though it's been a while since I truly enjoyed a Megadeth album. The last couple were decent, a semi return to form maybe, but they still didn't really draw me in to much repeat play. I don't really have much in terms of expectations either way.

[devstorm]

For the past 4 or 5 years I thought between Metallica Slayer & Anthrax, Megadeth were the only band still making the best SOUNDING albums, even if the songs werent always so good. Endgame had awesome production, but not since World Needs a Hero had a Megadeth album underwhelmed me more in terms of the actual songs. So far the new batch of songs Ive heard (4 total) follows suit; great guitar, bass & drum tones, but the songs themselves just do nothing for me. I will say Never Dead sounds pretty good, its a fast angry thrasher. But at this point I wont be buying it, unless I hear something else from it that totally blows my mind.

[Ellbery]

I'm liking what I'm hearing - a return to what I like (Production sounds waaay better than End Game)

I didn't like United Abominations but did like End Game (Apart from production)

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:42 PM ----------

Endgame had awesome production, but not since World Needs a Hero had a Megadeth album underwhelmed me more in terms of the actual songs

Lol, Just read this. I didn't like the production.. the vocals were lost and the overall mix was muddy! I wanted a clear mix like Youthanasia. Couldn't agree more about World Needs A Hero!

[cwilder86]

This comes out tomorrow on the US and is already out in many other countries already I believe. Has any body else picked this up yet, and if so what do you think of it?

[Totentanz]

This comes out tomorrow on the US and is already out in many other countries already I believe. Has any body else picked this up yet, and if so what do you think of it?

I picked it up earlier today, but never got chance to give it a listen. I'm sure I'll get chance to give it a spin tomorrow, so I'll post my early impressions then

[cwilder86]

Got my copy yesterday. It's no thrash album (though there are a few thrashy tunes), at least compared to Endgame but I still find it enjoyable. I think the songs are well written and just really good, IMO. Public Enemy No. 1's been stuck in my head a lot here lately.

[Totentanz]

Got my copy yesterday. It's no thrash album (though there are a few thrashy tunes), at least compared to Endgame but I still find it enjoyable. I think the songs are well written and just really good, IMO. Public Enemy No. 1's been stuck in my head a lot here lately.

Yeah, it's got a kind of Cryptic Writings vibe about it in places, like you I'm finding it generally quite enjoyable with just a couple of lacklustre tunes here and there (Black Swan springs to mind). I've got quite mixed feelings about Megadeth's back catalogue, there are some classics, some turkeys and some just average stuff - this one is above their average, I'd say.

Mr Wilder's quite right to give the warning that it's no thrash beast, but also quite right that there's definitely some quality material on it nonetheless. I will be playing it some more

[jacksabbath]

my initial reaction, having played it through all of last night, is some awesome tracks (new world order, black swan, thirteen deadly nightshade), some great songs (public enemy, whose life and we the people) and the rest is more or less filler with some great riffs and playing. much less thrashy, a more countdown to extinction style album. more stripped down metal ish, but i will give it more chances over the next few days. good album overall i think 3.5 or 4 stars out of 5 IMO

[justme1]

Love Mustaine's playing and vocals so a keeper for me

I don't own a CD among my 550 that I like EVERY song

[Totentanz]

Been playing this more, it's grown on me quite a bit - definitely my fave of theirs since Cryptic Writings. I'd kinda long since stopped being bothered about Megadeth, so I'm really pleasantly surprised.

[-E5150 StarWanderer-]

I'm yet to buy the album, but I think I will buy it next week. That being said, I've already heard most of the album, and it sounds rather good. 'Never Dead' is one of the finest Megadeth songs I've heard in a while, and 'Public Enemy No. One' is catchy as hell. The remake of 'New World Order is a strong song as well, as is the title track. But I need to listen to the album more before I can give my final view on it.

[Charger]

Well I finally have listened through the album often enough to actually make a review and I thought I'd share it with you guys here as well...


Lucky # TH1RT3EN or Public Enemy #1?

With much anticipation (on my part atleast!), Megadeth finally released a first new album featuring both Mega-Daves back together again since 2001 and the brilliant The World Needs A Hero. Expectations were high, I must admit, especially since Endgame (their previous album from 2009) was a very fine effort, but as soon as I head the first single Public Enemy No 1, I knew that my expectations had been met.

Say what you will about Mustaine’s vocals, he does have a very original voice, and he does what he does perfectly. Naturally the years haven’t been kind, when are they ever, not everyone is Ronnie James Dio, but Dave’s deeper voice is still there and he soars through the vocals with much power on songs like Fast Lane, Whose Life (Is It Anyways) and the afore mentioned Public Enemy No 1, which I will be mentioning a lot on this review you can count on it.

The album starts with the powerful duel riffage of Sudden Death, a song I would imagine will find its place on the live set very soon. Megadeth has always been able to pick great songs on album openers (even on the lackluster United Abominations) and this is no different. Sudden Death is ‘Deth on it’s finest, very reminiscent of the early albums, yet keeping a fresh sound.
The finest moment of the album comes next though. The first single Public Enemy No.1 has gotten some attention already since it has been on the band’s live set for a while now and it is without a doubt the best song on the album. Dave’s vocal melodies are flawless and musically the song is a masterpiece. This one goes right up there with classics like Peace Sells, Symphony Of Destruction and Sweating Bullets. It seems that I keep returning to this song the most…when ever I have to stop listening to the album, I always start it with this song. It is that good!

The other’s that really stand out are Whose Life (Is It Anyways), Black Swan and Deadly Nightshade. But with an album this evenly good it is hard to pick songs that stand out. It’s actually easier to list the not-so-great ones… And that list is pretty short: Millennium Of The Blind is a good slow number that builds up to an almost doomy riff in the middle, but it still lacks something, as do most of Megadeth’s slower numbers (part of Promises and perhaps Foreclosure Of A Dream). Also the album closer the title track 13 tries to build up to something, but seems to fall bit short. And that’s it. All the other tracks are varying from good to great to brilliant!
It is clear that the sheer presence of Dave Ellefson has woken up something great in Mustaine’s song writing that was deeply assleep atleast during the writing of United Abominations. A lot of the songs have that “classic” Megadeth sound which clearly comes largely from Ellefson’s bass sound.

I would go as far as say that this album is the best Megadeth album since Cryptic Writings, edging past the brilliant The World Needs A Hero. I could try to invent a lot of reasons, but truth be told it comes down to one single song, and that is Public Enemy No. 1. I cannot give it enough high praise. Lyrically it is also brilliant and perhaps even bit unusual for Dave. Most of the lyrical themes on the album are familiar to Megadeth fans, spanning from politics to fast machines to women and relationships. Which seems to work well for the band, as long as you don’t take any of them too seriously, but I don’t think they’re meant to anyways.

A great album that proves that the two Mega-Daves have buried the hatchet (hopefully for good) and found the inspiration to write awesome music together again…eventhough most of the are credited to Mustaine alone, I can’t but imagine how much help Ellefson has actually been. I did like Endgame, but I know there were fans that didn’t, but I would find it very hard to believe that this album doesn’t redeem the bands place in all of their hearts.

****

[WhiteSabbath]

I love the new cd 13.

I also liked Endgame and United Abominations!lol

[Sporkman GB]

Definitely has some killer tunes in it. Not liking that they're playing Guns Drugs & Money live, I don't really like that one, but Black Swan, Sudden Death, and Whose Life immediately grabbed my attention, and We the People, Public Enemy No. 1 are growing on me. Rest is mostly filler, imo, but the solid kind.

[led sabbath]

13 sounds great. Better than Endgame. Best one since Cryptic Writings. Not really a weak song on it. I'd even put it up there with Rust In Peace and Countdown To Extinction.

[Musicman11]

Since I love Megadeth I think that I'll resurrect this thread. I got into Megadeth over the summer when I got a free song from some weird package I got off of Road Runner Records for signing up. The song was The Right To Go Insane and I just played it over and over again. One trip to an unknown FYE while we traveling (since I stop at any music store when I get the chance.), I found Rust In Peace, Countdown, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings, The System Has Failed, and Endgame all used and fairly cheap during a buy 2 get one free deal, so naturally I bought the whole lot. Pretty much you can say the rest is history since I now own of all their studio albums and they are in my top 5 favorite metal bands. I thought TH1RT3EN was a really good album, even if it didn't carry the whole thrash return that Endgame did, it was still an album of good material, and Never Dead and Sudden Death are 2 of the best thrash songs they have ever done in my opinion. Anyone else got opinions on TH1RT3EN after it's release?

[StVitus]

the first 5 megadeth albums are my favriot

megadeth is good metal band

[RLP4ever]

Darn, I'm very late on this. I bought '13' quite a while ago, and I'm glad I did, cos I'm really liking it. Again, like Anthrax's 'WM', I do feel somewhat disappointed that it isn't an out and out thrash album, which is what I was hoping for. Nevertheless, '13' is a hard drivin', cool album, in its own right. It is also some consolation to me that '13' sounds quite a lot better than both 'UA' and 'Endgame'.

[Thelemech]

Well I have yet to buy Thirteen I just picked up the remaster/remix of Youthanasia and Cryptic Writings, I forgot how good they both are. I really think that the only Megadeth album I do not like is Risk. I am hoping for good things with Thirteen that I will probably pick up next week. For now it is a trip down memory lane listening to these 90s experimental thrash gems.

[Musicman11]

Brilliant to hear some other people enjoying one of my favorite bands, especially TH1RT3EN RLP! To be honest some of the charm of the initial release has worn off, but like you say it's a great release, but still is lacking because it isn't that big thrash album most of us have wanted for so long. Mustaine wrote some really great stuff for the album, but I think some of the greatness is can be attributed to the line-up. This is because this is probably the best and most stable line-up that Megadeth has had since the Friedman and Menza days. (No offense to any other players though!). Drover has slowly progressed into a better drummer for the band, with each release picking up some technique and remaining a nice stable member since 2004 certainly helps. Broderick is a great guitarist and like Drover has continued to find his own place in the band. His own classical roots help him tremendously. Finally having Ellefson back as bassist is what I think really helped the band. No offense to LoMenzo, who's a good player in his own right, but Ellefson will always be the bassist of the Megadeth. I think these 4 really have something going and it can only get better from here for the band. My hope is this line-up remains for another good decade.

@Telemech: Glad to hear your enjoying those remasters. I bought the whole lot back in the summer and I've loved every minute of them. Youthanasia and CW were both experimental albums, but they were both definitely still good albums that continued the bands reputation, though CW began to show some signs of trouble with songs that didn't quite work. Risk is something I'm still unable to really decide if I like or not. I actually own the original of it as opposed to the remix just due to it was all that they had at the time. I've enjoyed parts of it, others not so much. The two Time songs I've always thought were excellent, as was Ecstasy, then there was stuff like Crush Em' and Insomnia... Sometimes I enjoy it, others I despise it. I don't know what to think exactly. You won't be disappointed with TH1RT3EN though, it's a great album. If anyone's up for it, I'll post my individual opinions on each album, just reply to me and I'll do it since I seem to always be the one asking questions and receiving answers instead of replying

[A7X]

Megadeth is my all time favorite band...I think I love United Abominations most but it's probably a tie between that and Countdown to Extinction.

[BibleBlack]

My dad still had an ancient copy of Countdown To Extinction in his work room, mostly leftovers from his time working for the radio.
Decided to listen to it, found it tl;dr, but absolutely loved the hell out of Symphony of Destruction.
After having gotten a mini-LP of 'Killing is my Business...' from my mom, I decided to check out the rest of the series, and there was a new-found love.

[Thelemech]

Finally bought Thirteen and I must say it is good but I think I like Endgame better ...so far. Got it new at BB for 12$ not bad considering the prices I was seeing for it around town.

[Thelemech]

Finally bought Thirteen and I must say it is good but I think I like Endgame better ...so far. Got it new at BB for 12$ not bad considering the prices I was seeing for it around town.

I think now that Thirteen is just a tad better than Endgame and better than United Abominations. Not liking the vocal mix on 13 - it seems a tad high in the mix as a whole. - not annoyingly so but still noticeable.

[8bit Fighter]

Happy Birthday Dave!

[devstorm]

Just back from seeing former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland destroy a building with his guitar. His band OHM played tonight, and utterly amazed everyone in attendance.



Its NOTHING like Megadeth. But fans of any of the albums Chris played on would definitely appreciate what Poland has to offer. The man is too good at what he does.