Mustaine misses the mark with new Megadeth album
2.5 stars (out of five)
With his latest Megadeth record, "United Abominations," (download free mp3 here) due in stores May 15, guitar virtuoso, speed metal king and Metallica reject Dave Mustaine set out to reinvigorate what he saw as a lethargic old school metal scene. Unfortunately, his effort falls short of that mark. Mustaine can still play a mean guitar, just as fast and as fierce as when he was shredding the competition on classic albums like "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" or, our personal favorite, "Rust In Peace." He surrounds himself with great musicians for this record as well, but the writing just doesn't quite cut it.
Most unfortunately, perhaps, Mustaine's lyrics lack the acumen and bite of his earlier political commentary. He still tackles weighty subjects like foolhardy politicians, mindless war, dependence on foreign oil, hypocrisy at the U.N., but his words fall flat and often sound mundane, uninspired and, at times, embarrassing. We really didn't need another "dark-horse-riding-on-storm-clouds" war metaphor or another fake newscast intro.
Mustaine says in the promotional materials that accompany the advance CD that "I can say that I have absolutely made my best Megadeth record, ever." He's wrong, of course. But we salute the fact that Dave continues to make good (albeit not great) speed metal music even a long time after the genre has stopped being a best-seller. We're looking forward to the day the Megadeth tour (currently in Canada, hitting the U.S. in April) comes to a venue near us. Here's hoping that Dave will play his older masterpieces and not too many cuts from "Abominations."
Best song to download: "Washington Is Next!"
Technorati tags: 
megadeth 
metallica 
lacuna coil 
mp3
Comments
To answer you guys -- we actually have heard the entire album. We've had an advance for a month now.
Sorry to disappoint you Spunko, we would love to leak the album, but, to be honest, we're just too chickenshit to do it!
We love Megadeth as much as you do -- we just love the Rust in Peace Megadeth, not the current version...
Thanks for reading!
SW
Posted by: Stereo Warning | April 16, 2007 09:06 AM
The person who did the review is an asshole. Don't listen to what their review says. The new album is gonna kicks some major ass. Megadeth Rules!!!! \m/
Posted by: anonymous | April 16, 2007 12:24 AM
silly buggers, bet you havent heard it yet just the 6 samples
Posted by: Anonymous | April 15, 2007 11:31 PM
from what i've heard, i don't agree with you, but that's completely subjective.
you omit that any fan who has liked their post-1994 material will surely enjoy this one.
how impolite of you to talk down an album and not even leak it!
Posted by: spunko | April 15, 2007 10:14 PM