Review Summary: Dave and the gang really brought something great to the table this time around.
For those who are not familiar, Megadeth are a thrash metal band straight out of the 1980s. While their status as "thrash" is debatable, they are no doubt a staple in 80s metal. Though guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine started out in fellow Big Four band
Metallica, his legacy remains and continues in Megadeth. They have had their ups and downs, with big hits like Rust in Peace, one of the biggest metal albums ever, and flops such as 2013's "Super Collider".
With all of the negative response that 'Super Collider' received, I'm sure not too many people had great expectations for Megadeth's future releases. But whenever the lead single 'Fatal Illusion' was released, some hope was restored. I first heard this song around the time it came out, and I quite enjoyed it. I had to laugh at the fact it talks about a lethal injection, almost as an answer to Metallica's 'Ride the Lightning' being about the electric chair. I in no way take sides in the Megadeth/
Metallica debate, just thought it was funny.
This album rides very hard on political statements mixing it with a (obviously) dystopian society setting. There are a few instances of what some may call xenophobia (the fear of foreign things/people/societies). The second single and first track, 'The Threat is Real', begins with some Middle Eastern style sounding women's vocals, and the title and subject matter of the song seem to be portraying a message of anti-Muslims. Of course in this day and age, there is no need for more of that, but with the whole Phil Anselmo fiasco going on (2016: Phil Anselmo sieg heils and yells "white power" while closing Dimebash), we have more to worry about in the metal community.
Anyway, 'Poisonous Shadows' gave me sort of a
Lamb of God vibe, and seeing how LoG's drummer is the drummer for this album, it didn't surprise me that at least one of these songs came off that way. That being said, Adler (of Lamb of God) did a good job of separating LoG from Megadeth; keeping the drumming what you would expect from thrash/Megadeth while still keeping it interesting. As for guitars on this album, there is nothing too notable, but nonetheless they drive the album forward, and provide some fun to listen to and crunchy riffs. Mustaine, as always, provides his whiny gravelly vocals. Nothing new form him here, they aren't as great as they were in the past, but still recognizable and gritty to listen to. The bonus track, 'Foreign Policy', being a cover, is actually one of my favorites. It is a good fit for the album, and since hardcore is a huge influence on the basis of thrash metal, a
Fear cover really works. The solo on the song adds to it and definitely establishes it as a metal cover of an awesome hardcore song.
This album definitely deserves the praise and positive reviews that it is getting. Dave and the gang really brought something great to the table this time around. Their return to being good old Megadeth is relieving, and makes me look forward to what they'll bring in the future.
