Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
You know they say that some covers bands ‘sound better than the original’? I once saw ‘Dirty DC’ playing in Brighton. An AC/DC covers band.
They were so good. Even to the point they had little mini stage canons during ‘those about to rock’. Closing your eyes, you were whipped off to Hammersmith Odean in the 80’s and AC/DC could have been assaulting your lug holes.
Well, I’m not sure if it’s possible to say this, but Megadeth’s latest effort, ‘I Don’t Care’, released just this morning (14th Nov), sounds more like Megadeth, than Megadeth! How so I hear you ask? Well, I guess what I’m saying is, the past few Megadeth records, whilst good in their own right, had in my opinion, drifted into a different ‘style’ of music.
Perhaps trying a bit too hard to be thrash, to keep to their roots? Maybe commercial pressures to stay relevant? Who cares, and who knows. As a fan, all I’m saying is the previous couple of albums were perhaps less ‘Megadeth’ than I wanted them to be.
So what do I want them to be? Well, I’m thinking ‘anything released up to 1997’s ‘Trust’’. Seems like a long time ago, but, as a strong fan of metal, particularly thrash metal, Megadeth still hold that crown for me. Goes without saying that the bands technical expertise and musicianship is hands down is ahead of most.
If we believe the press to date, Megadeth’s final tour, expected to span for several years, and be a no holds barred approach to the past 40 years, should be honoured with this latest single.
With personally damming lyrics and clearly aimed or inspired by someone who has perhaps scorned Mr Mustaine in the past, the song is punk, hard core, aggressive, fast and to the point. Dave clearly doesn’t care about this person. Nor the life they lead, or what happens to them. Mustaine’s distain for the target, also has an air of vulnerability mixed amongst the insults.
Think Metallica’s cover of ‘So What’, mixed with ‘Killing is My Business’ era Megadeth, and you’re not far off. Pointed lyrics, anger, cathartic, and awesome dualling guitar solos between Dave and Teemu. Add that to the gorgeous metallic crystal clean bass, again a nod to Megadeth’s’ early years, and you’ve got yourselves one of the best Megadeth tracks in years.
A masterful accompaniment to the recent release of ‘Tipping Point’, this new album is shaping up to go down a storm. Having the fortune of seeing Megadeth just a few weeks ago playing ‘Tipping Point’ live, this banger will also be a crowd winner.
They say current times are one or respected authenticity. ‘I Don’t Care’ is the musical manifestation of such a movement.
