When a band becomes a revolving lineup of musicians it spells musical doom - Not so far for Megadeth. Even though the band has seen several lineup changes recently, the band is preparing to release one of their strongest albums in years.
Dave Mustaine has managed to stage a come back that started with 2004’s The System Has Failed, comparable to the miraculous second comings of bands like AC/DC and Aerosmith. While The System Has Failed was good United Abominations is just plain excellent.
United Abominations, due out on May 15th, is a solid record and combines all the elements that make Megadeth one of the most formable thrash bands on the planet. Dave Mustaine flexes his guitar skills with more flair than he has shown in years and his lyrical sarcasm and condemnations of the powers that be are stronger than ever.
The album starts out swinging with the one two punch of “Sleepwalker,” that assails internet rumor mongers, and the political dirge “Washington is Next,” that sets the stage for the albums frequent political commentary. The albums title track is easily one of Megadeth's best, and most melodic, tracks since “Train of Consequences,” and album has the same lean, dark feel of their 1988 political masterwork So Far, So Good… So What!
The album is so strong in fact that I’m a little surprised the Mustaine has choose to release their remake of "A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)" as the first single. The original version is featured on the band's underrated classic Youthanasia and the new version features guest vocals by Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia. The only weak track on the album, in my opinion, is “Gears of War,” (the song was released on the internet several months back) and even it rock at times.
In any event United Abominations is a welcome, long overdue return to form for Megadeth and is a prime example of what real metal music is made of. I’ll take Megadeth’s straight up sonic assaults over Metallica's superstar posturing any day of the week.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Whatevah
I really cant understand all the people that want to make us believe that Megadeth are back on track! I find it repulsive and offensive for me to hear Dave blatantly ripping his OWN riffs and compile them back in this abomination of a record. Shame on him! Playing pre-RIP riffs and solos in 2007 is not cool, period!
God I miss Marty Friedman, I m starting to feel that he was at least the 50 percent of Megadeth. Even cryptic writings was better than this one. At least it was coming from his soul and didnt try to convince any 15yo that he is still capable of thrashing. Cheers
2 - pedro velez
I just listened to UA...too comercial, to safe, not even close to being as good as System , or even Youthanasia.
What the hell is wrong with this critic? UA is too soft, not trash or even Metal enough, yes, its a pretty record..but that's it.
3 - Myles
Here's my comment. Stop comparing this album to RIP....there is only one RIP...if megadeth had released this album when RIP was released and vice versa you probably would have loved UA and then because RIP is so good, you would have praised everything before RIP as well. It so annoying to hear people whine that it's not another RIP...you want to hear RIP go fucken listen to it...you wanna hear the new megadeth in 2007...the only metal band to withstand so much time and still kick ass and not sell out...then listen to UA and shut your pussy mouth up
4 - Myles
one more thing...anyone who says that Washington's Next isn't good is pathetic...
5 - Roy Orbison
I listened to UA today, I rose from the dead and it kicked serious ass. If you don't have this album and you want something fast as fuck, go buy it.
And to the stupid fuck above who said that Mustaine is ripping off his own riffs is retarded. First you complain that it's not as good as his old stuff then you say it sounds exactly like his old stuff. [Personal attack deleted]
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"long overdue return to form for Megadeth and is a prime example of what real metal music is made of."
*Smirk* You've got to be kidding...right? With new releases from Iced Earth & Dream Evil(to name two)UA is far from the prime example.
"anyone who says that Washington's Next isn't good is pathetic..."
Well, then, I'm pathetic because the whole album was rather poor not just "Washington's Next". To me, Mr. Mustaine has the Green Day syndrome going on. It is so easy to follow the leader about politics because everyone talking the same sh!t. You would think with Dave's intellect he could come up with some better lyrics and music... It's a shame.
7 - zombie-commando
this album rocks, it's not rust in peace 2!
so stop comparing to any old records.
sleepwalker, washington's next,play for blood, burnt ice, united abominations are my fav
long live megadeth you're the best!
8 - Frost
A real Masterpiece
9 - jordan
Awsome!!! A metal masterwork. Your dead...wicked!!!
10 - jordan
Ive followed Megadeth from there 1st album and love em all but United Abominations is a total classic!!! Production is 1st class songwriting is classic Mustaine and musicianship is top shelf! Sleepwalker, United abominations, play for blood and Burnt ice are great but if you want a true mind wreaker listen to track 10 Your dead! wow blew me away!!! "One day Ill dance on your grave, even if your burried at sea" Rockin! Get this album! And if you love Megadeth try new Australian metal band Pain Division, Just released there 1st self titled album and its killer!!!
11 - Jeremy
Easily their best work yet. LOVE it. Better than RIP EASILY.
12 - Megadeth fan
Fuck all of you United abominations is awesome why dont you go whine somewhere else anyone who says anything bad about Dave can go to hell
13 - Green Machine
I just bought this album today, and I think it is definately thrash metal and a return to the old days of Megadeth. I was expecting to be let down, but I am thrilled with United Abominations. I am a big fan of their old stuff, and this is a return to the thrash metal that this band built their name with in the 80's and early 90's. And Dave's new band mates are no disapointment either. They can shred. I would like to see Metallica's next album follow Dave's lead, but I gave up on them years ago.
14 - MadZorm
Megadeth is cool
15 - bdogg
UA is awesome, don't compare it too other shit just take it for what it is.
16 - mo
it kicks ass! in regards to the review: except for "train of consequences", youthinasia was a very dissapointing album
17 - mo
billy jo (greenday), isn't qualified to polish Daves guitar! how did you work that piece of shit into the same sentence? fuckin' moron, DAVE IS GOD!
18 - Dave
Well, then, I'm pathetic because the whole album was rather poor not just "Washington's Next". To me, Mr. Mustaine has the Green Day syndrome going on. It is so easy to follow the leader about politics because everyone talking the same sh!t. You would think with Dave's intellect he could come up with some better lyrics and music... It's a shame.
Buddy your first sentance is most accurate , I like that you think Iced Eath is cool,
but unfortunatly that is the peak of your entry , if you compare Megadeth to Green Day , you are stupider then you sound, anybody that knows anything about guitar knows Green Day is famouse for creating full albums that consist of 3 chords and no solo's , Megadeth is the polar oposit of that Dave Mustaine is a bloody guitar legend, just listen to the last minute of "Burnt Ice" on the new UA album.
If you have something to say to the nagative there , you have no right to comment as you posses no knowledge other then ignorance.
As far as your political comments, you are as ill-informed in politics as you are in music, dave actually takes the side of the current administration , unlike anybody else from the predominantly "left' music scene (in certain verses) and balances them with his expression of loving to be american as well (just as we would be patriotic in suggesting we love canada).
I have a suggestion, perhaps "listening" to the album would be novel prior to judging it.
Moron
19 - Green Machine
The Green Machine agrees with most of what the Dave above posted in response to Morons. But I am not entirely convinced that the UA album is supportive of the current administration. One example is the lyric from "Amerikhastan" which describes how Lady Liberty has the tatoo of "Property of the USA, a subsidiary of Halliburton."
The Vice President Dick Cheney is Vice President of the corporate entity named Halliburton. A conflict of interests to be sure.
This album is one of the best Metal albums I have heard in a long time.
20 - Dave Mustaine
Thanks for all the support guys. Glad you liked the new album.
21 - Eddie
Well I got the new CD UA and so far I have really enjoyed it. Now first off it is a little annoying when I go online and read several reviews that it is a return to form because it is not entirely true. There riffs are nice and thrashy but the beats are mostly mid tempo and not thrash.
Either way I am enjoying the songs as they are well written and catchy as hell. After listening to it for a few days I have come to notice that the 3rd song 'Never Walk Alone' has a very RIP era sound.. everything from the guitar sound to the way Dave is playing.
So overall it is a very good CD.. much better than Youthanasia.. this CD could have come right after Countdown IMO.
Hopefully their next CD will get even better and actually have a few uptempo thrash songs.
22 - deepak
after all dat shit which this great band has gone through....nd to come up wid such an album is remarkable! RIP was a classic....such albums dnt come out everyday...why cant ppl stop comparing each nd every album wid RIP...!!! UA is a GREAT comebak album nd kicks major ass!!!
great drumming...awesome guitar work...!!!
MEGADETH RULES!
23 - Devon
hey look I have listened to this album 12 times and it kicks ass Dave is better than ever you people just dont know what the fuck your talking about
24 - abbas
Good songs,excellent solos and drumming not to say the least.But theres something still missing...cant figure out what it is but what the hell? in these days of punk rock nu metal the cat will lap up whatever milk there is.
25 - Faster
Its a stupid album. Why is it that everytime Megadeth churns out a new shit, the headlines go ohh Megadeth Returns, Dave Mustaine returns, or The Mummy returns. Fuck that! Its the same thing. For me Risk is by far the most adventurous they went. And then its backwords again. Same old idiotic shit. At least Metallica had the balls to try and be different.