Disco de Megadeth: “The System Has Failed”

After the last few albums, I had decided that I wasn't buying Megadeth albums anymore. The last two studio albums really had turned me off of Megadeth. However, a new version of Megadeth is back. Dave Mustaine had posted song snippets from this new album in full on the Megadeth website. All of them sounded pretty promising so I decided to check out the new Megadeth.

That was a very good choice. This is by far the best Megadeth album since Rust in Peace, which is Megadeth's "White Album". The album is entirely solid, and doesn't seem to have anything "slow" like Moto Psycho was like on the last album. This is a good solid Megadeth album that envokes memories of the classics from the past (Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction) while having a good clean current sound, unlike some metal albums which sound too muddied.

Most definitely worth a pickup if you've ever liked Megadeth in the past.

In the absence of guilt, I can say that this is the album that Metallica has been trying to make for the past 10 years--(Lars, can you hear that, that's how drums are supposed to sound on a metal album!!Stop letting Bob "Yoko Ono" Rock feed you stupid pills, your drums sound like sh*t on St. Butt-munch). The System Has Failed is a ferocious, head-slamming comeback from Dave Mustaine. That he calls this Megadeth might be a point to argue for true die-hards, since it's pretty much Dave at the controls, but what's changed there? Dave has always been the man in charge where Megadeth is concerned. SYSTEM is hard, it's honest, and it is extremely metal. There is a believability here that we can count on. Standouts inclue "Die Dead Enough", "Kick The Chair", "Of Mice And Men" & "Truth Be Told." This is an adult metal album, not the juvenile puree of say St. Anger. Dave is pissed off and he's always been pissed off and he'll probably stay pissed off, end of story. Its relevant, poignant, and realistic. A wee bit heavy on the political side, but what the hell. Gotta bitch about the system, right? I look forward to seeing them on tour.

Dave Mustaine had nothing to lose. As far as everyone was concerned, Megadeth was dead. They broke up and were forgotten by most people. Then Mustaine pieces together a new lineup, and comes back reincarnated with this masterpiece! Unbelievable. This is on par with Peace Sells, Rust in Peace, and Countdown to Extinction, and over time may prove to be Megadeth's best CD. This after many years of refining their sound, and moving away from their thrash roots at times. Yes, the World Needs a Hero was a decent return to form, and a decent send off for Megadeth before this album, but this one is just amazing. It's hard to believe that Mustaine and his new lineup could have put together something so hard hitting and well balanced at this point in their careers. Great metal album.

For anyone who was a fan of thrash metal in its prime who hasn't heard this yet, do yourself a favor and listen to this gem immediately!

Ok so it's not exactly early 80's Megadeth, but give Dave a break. At least this disk isn't as dismal and pointless as that St. Anger album released by his old bandmates. Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth are staying true to metal, while Metallica gets the most press and attention with the crappiest music.

The System has failed is not a perfect album and it will not be my favorite Megadeth album, but I think Dave has a lot to be proud of. I think it's great to have Cris Poland back in the band. I missed him after 'Peace Sells'. His sound brought a little bit of a throwback sound to the band. It's weird to see a Megadeth album without Dave Jr. (on bass), but Megadeth carried on nonetheless.

Listen to this CD two or three times and I think it will grow on you. Sure it's got some weird stuff on it like 'Shadow of Deth', but I appreciate what he was trying to do.

Rock on Megadeth.

The System Has Failed has got to be the best thrash metal album that I have heard in a long long time. The reasons are simple:

1. The lyrics are intelligent and relevant

2. The guitar playing is beyond belief. Did Dave Mustaine really hurt his arm? Man, if that true, it is indeed a miracle that he can play as well as he did on this album. The riffs are insanely fast on songs like Blackmail The Universe and Kick the Chair.

3. The singing is amazing. I LOVE Dave Mustaine's sneering angry vocals. He is pissed at the government, at his broken relationships, at his past. He does not compromise and does not make any apologies about it! Talk about being "Angry Again". GRRRR!

4. Diversity. While some songs are pure speed metal thrash, there are songs that focus more on being melodic, and inventive such as the radio friendly "Die Dead Enough" and "The Scorpion". These songs are great and so listenable, that I CANNOT STOP singing them again and again! Dare I say that Dave Mustaine is thrash's version of John Lennon/Paul McCartney? Such a gifted writer. Think pop genius from the bowels of hell, if you will.

THANK YOU Dave Mustaine for this album. The System has INDEED failed, but you DID NOT. You have delivered the goods and have cemented your place in the Mount Olympus of Metal! Kill the King, the king is DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING! Metal is ALIVE and Well!!!!