Megadeth - The System Has Failed

*=Staff's pick	Blackmail The Universe* Die Dead Enough* Kick The Chair* The Scorpion Tears In A Vail I Know Jack Back In The Day* Something That I'm Not Truth Be Told* Of Mice And Men Shadow Of Death My Kingdom

Genre	Thrash Metal	Dave Mustaine	Vocals
Tracks	12	Dave Mustaine	Guitar
Runningtime	49 Min.	Chris Poland	Guitar
Label	Sanctuary	Jimmie Lee Sloas	Bass
Release	13 Sept. 2004	Vinnie Colaiuta	Drums
Country	USA	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

Mr. Mustaine is angry again, and for that we ought to be thankful. The System Has Failed smells of revenge with a band (or perhaps man) that has got the hunger back. This is the comeback album from a band that really haven't been gone for that long actually. The injury that forced Mustaine to put his guitar on the shelf some years ago can not have been as bad as we first got to know. The guitar has now been taken down from the shelf, dusted off, and in company with new members this is a band that once again delivers quality songs.

The old times, as with Rust In Peace (1990), can be heard in the guitar parts at more than one point, and I for one applaud that. There are a couple of tracks that hold those fast screaming guitar parts that really gets you going. The opening track Blackmail The Universe brings out a vibe that indicates Megadeth is back on track again as soon as it kicks in to action. Kick The Chair also stands for a thrash attack and the fantastic guitar playing at the end is like early Megadeth at its best. Shredding that is to die for. But even though there are far too few old time vibes, this is the album that should have been followed after Youthanasia (1994) or even Countdown To Extinction (1992), with its heavy metal with a good sense for refrains and vital melodies.

There is a couple of sleepy tracks and no real hits like the old classics, but you find things in every track that falls to your satisfaction. It can be a high speed guitar part, an old-time guitar solo, angry Dave spitting out anger in the verses or perhaps with a melodic refrain that sticks immediately, or even better all at once. While listening the first times, it is the refrains that sticks pretty quick in my mind, especially when they arrive early in the songs and with the melodic sense they have. And after a couple of more listening sessions, you discover more hooks and guitarparts and other things that help make the complete picture, and after even more spins it isn't necessary the strong refrains that stand out any longer. Instead it is all of the things surrounding it, and the created feeling of wholeness with the thorough work behind the songs. Something that has been missing for a long time.

I would have wished for longer songs and one or two more complex creations. With the word spread about The System Has Failed to be a new Rust In Peace, or at least something like it, something in the likes of a Holy War or Hangar 18 track would have been in its place. Nevertheless Dave Mustaine proves once again with The System Has Failed that he is a killer song writer with his ability to make good melodic thrash with heavy music containing melodic hooks, explicit solos and great harmonies. Chris Poland that was kicked out of Megadeth after Peace Sells…But Who's Buying? (1986) is back for the album recordings and plays like hell, but comes nowhere near Mustaine's brilliant playing, the break from music must have done him well.

The guys that play together with Dave on the album will not be going on tour with him. Instead old skin beater Nick Menza is back along with guitarist Glen Drover (Eidolon, ex-King Diamond) and bassist James MacDonough that left Iced Earth for the opportunity to tour with Megadeth. And even if Megadeth has a rumour of being a stiff live band - solid deliverance of the songs but no life what so ever on stage - and that has been true the three times I've seen them, nevertheless this album makes me wanna see them live again anyway. With the new found hunger and energy I have a feeling that they will be better as a live band as well, and I believe that several of the new tracks will work well in the Megadeth live set.

See also review of: Dystopia , Super Collider , Th1rt3en , Endgame

Production	Vocals	Compositions
8	7	8

Summary
7,5 chalices of 10 - Thomas