Megadeth has been around for a long time. United Abominations is their eleventh studio album, although it may be more accurate to call it Dave Mustaine's eleventh studio album, considering the revolving door that the other positions have been over the years.
Seriously, there was only a span of three albums in the midst of their run that had the same lineup for consecutive releases. Don't take that as a negative, while the faces have changed, Mustaine has always seemed to surround himself with musicians that are up to his demanding standards. That holds true here, as United Abominations shows a reinvigorated Megadeth, quite possibly the most focused since their run in the early to mid 90s.
It would be unfair to try and compare this release to such classics as Rust in Peace or Countdown to Extinction, so I won't. I will, however, say this is probably the best album since those days. Filled with heavy rhythms, blistering solos, politically charged lyrics, and Mustaine's trademark sneer filled voice, the album is adrenaline charged metal from start to finish. A fine debut for their new home on Roadrunner Records.
Megadeth climbed the metal world in the mid 1980s affirming their status with Peace Sells... But Who's Buying. That was followed by a masterful trifecta beginning with Rust in Peace and ending with Youthanasia. It was at this point they began to slip a little with Cryptic Writings and Risk, both had a few good songs, but they were clearly a step below what had come before. Then The World Needs a Hero, in 2001, was a step up, but still not a return to earlier form. Three years later, we get a Dave Mustaine who seemed reaffirmed with new purpose, after his nerve injury that almost ended his career, he came back with a new lineup and album, The System Has Failed. This album was heavier, more raw, more Megadeth than the preceding few. The trend continues here.
United Abominations is clearly a finely polished album, but there is something about it that harkens back to the glory years. There is a strong focus, a will to reassert Megadeth as a relevant force to be reckoned within the modern metal world. I must admit to being impressed with this album. It isn't quite as catchy as the classics, but it definitely has a way of getting into your head and rattling around.
Joining Dave Mustaine on this album are brothers Glenn and Shawn Drover, on drums and guitar, respectively, the duo have been with Dave for the past few years, following the The System Has Failed era. They have previously appeared on the One Live Night DVD release. Joining on bass is James Lomenzo, formerly of White Lion and Black Label Society, he replaces James MacDonough (ex-Iced Earth). They don't quite match the Ellefson/Friedman/Menza years, but this lineup is very good. Shawn can match Mustaine's solo dexterity, Glenn is more then capable of keeping up on the drums, offering up some inventive fills and solid rhythms, and Lomenzo puts his long experience to great use.
Article comments
1 - Brad Schader
Peace Sells was followed by So Far, So Good, So What, not Rust in Peace. To me, So Far is their best album- a classic from start to finish. Great review and I look forward to buying this one, just a minor correction, not an attack.
2 - Chris Beaumont
Thanks Brad, I keep mixing up Peace Sells and So Far in terms of their order, I think it may be because I am not all that crazy about Killin and So Far, they have some good cuts, but overall, I like the step from Peace Sells to Rust.
3 - Dave
Kudo's to a good review, even more so for being fair enough not to compare it to "Rust in peices" , a classic , even by todays standards.
Correction to the DVD release , "That one Night" ...Live in Buenes Aires, is litteraly one of the best live DVD's ever released.
This is the standard at wich MEGADETH deserves to be compared.
4 - jmac76
Love the review, and I agree that it does seem to have something about this album that reminds us of yesteryear. It's a good feeling, and definitely a worthy album for Megadeth fans.
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
GOD!! How many f*cking reviews do we need of the latest MEGADETH album?!? It's nice to see Mr. Mustaine TRY to release a solid metal album considering he has to appeal to the Roadrunner crowd but I don't know why I bother visiting here anymore...
Chris, you write a great review. I love your down to earth approach but you were right with the non-comparison to the batch of recent metal releases...SO, when will I see a review from you for one of those?
How about Aghora's Formless for starters and then Iced Earth's re-release of the Something Wicked trilogy w/ the new single Ten Thousand Strong that kicks major ass!!
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*AND* How about Dream Evil's United...
7 - Chris Beaumont
Is the Iced Earth re-release out yet? I knew it was coming.....
I reviewed the latest Cephalic Carnage, does that count? I also did Chimaira's but you probably don't care for that one either :).
I'll see what I can do. I have a stack of Locomotive records releases to go through as well.
8 - Chris Beaumont
Oh yeah, good to see you are still around. I missed your comments.
9 - mo
love this album! i had been trying to buy it since oct. 31st ( the alleged release date). i could have done without the "tout le monde" re-do though, (yuck!) fuck the french! i didn't care for it the first time around.
10 - ary
buenos aires dvd is not that great daves voice really is limited in that dvd some times and its just a like other live dvd,s defnitly not a stand out no axtra,s and glen showing to much mindless speed soloing(doesnt mean he bad defbitly not)but no extra,s in the solo department like on rude awakening.
11 - Megaman
Nice review, just a note: its Glen(one n) on Guitar and Shawn on drums.
12 - Brian
This is an excellent album and I hate going to sites where stupid retards that don't the the differnce from a E and a G chord saying bad things about the album, I have listened to this album over and over and it still doesn't get old and I'm not even the kind of person to listen to the same album twice in a row but this one does it. "United Abominations" is awesome, and reviewers need to stop downgrading "Risk", it was my favorite Megadeth album until this one.
13 - cliff niesen
How do I order your book dave. I am ill and I had a friend get an
a signed picture of the band and you wished me well but did you mean it, man or are you like Lars from Matellica. I want this book . I tought myself to play guitar and how can i get bett if with hold information.