Album Review:   Megadeth – Megadeth 

Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM

40 Years, Four Decades of snarling ferocity but now on their own terms Megadeth have decided to close the curtain on their illustrious career with one final self-titled outpouring of historical reflection with the aptly self-titled Megadeth.

There are certainties in life: Birth, Death & that signature Megadeth Sound – throw on So Far, So Good… So What! Youthanasia, Risk – I could run through their entire catalogue and it’s there instantly, in droves – it makes no effort to hide itself and why should it! It is literally the lifeblood and so too its creator, no, not Vic Rattlehead but the one and only David Scott Mustaine who like a much-beloved pantomime villain has become one of the recognisable elements of metal music ever.

The album opens with the hard-hitting Tipping Point which was also the bands choice of first single which is not only full of intent but has an absolute plethora of thrash tones which is then followed up with the defiant I Don’t Care which for me is the first head turning moment as it’s such an earworm

Hey God sees the albums first hint of reflection as the lyrical content feels like an incredibly personal confession – but in true Megadeth Style the tones and riff’s structure really stand out as this is also the first time where a new track sounds like something from the mid to late 90’s which personally has me in raptures – This is followed with an apparent acceleration with the radio friendly Let There Be Shred. If MTV or Headbangers Ball were being around, then this would be on heavy rotation although there are two delinquents still around to enjoy this – Beavis & Butthead 

Puppet Parade is hands down the albums crowning glory as for me this is quintessential  Megadeth and if this ever has an accompanying video, I would love it to be a reflective journey of the band from start to finish – This also has my favourite guitar parts of the whole album, they feel purposeful and personal but then that’s maybe the point. This is complimented by Another Bad Day which again is laden with experience and proficient musicianship – I wrote about that Megadeth Sound – well here it is in abundance – there certainly is a formula but its far from stagnated – it manages to keep its fire and freshness and the same time, for a lot of us this will be the last Megadeth album but some this album maybe the gateway and if so then this section isn’t a blad place to start.

Made To Kill takes the mantle to lead into the later part of the album with unapologetic anarchy whilst Obey The Call harks back into Countdown to Extinction Territory with a captivating narrative and atmospheric nods laden with solos galore. This album at times feels like your being pulled through a time machine of the band’s discography – if the songwriting and structure on I Am War were a restaurant I would be throwing Michelin stars at it. The more you listen to this album the more you get from it, I’ve gone to bed thinking of this album and woke up wanting to play it again and when The Last Note fires through there is a real heart tug of the emotion because as you listen of this autobiographical outpouring the real sense of finality hits you and it’s a hard song to listen to because if you a die hard fan the gravity of the situation hits you like a sledgehammer but then another way to look at would to be a conquering which this album does. 

Now, one more thing in relation to this self-titled offering – if you look through the track you will notice that bonus track and yes, it’s that Ride the Lightning! This reimagined version of the track is a wonderful touch an acknowledgment of the past and fitting tribute to end on and if anybody has the right to take on such a daunting task it’s Mustaine. 

The day before the album release there is an even more immersive experience for the Megadeth Fans as the accompanying film Megadeth: Behind The Mask hits cinemas worldwide which is effectively the entire bands career and will give the fans in attendance the opportunity to hear the new album in its entirety 

“When Megadeth started we said we would be fast and furious…we said so on the flyers we handed out,” DAVE MUSTAINE

Megadeth Tracklisting:

1. Tipping Point 
2. I Don’t Care
3. Hey, God?! 
4. Let There Be Shred
5. Puppet Parade 
6. Another Bad Day 
7. Made To Kill 
8. Obey The Call 
9. I Am War 
10. The Last Note 
11. Ride The Lightning (Bonus Track)

Line-up: 

Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Lead Guitar

Teemu Mäntysaari – Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars

James LoMenzo – Bass  

Dirk Verbeuren – Drums

Website: https://www.megadeth.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Yox196W7bzVNZI7RBaPnf

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megadeth/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Megadeth/

X: https://x.com/megadeth

9/10