![]() ![]() One of my favourite tracks is entitled ‘Night Stalkers’, and it enjoys this billing for a number of reasons. ![]() Most importantly though, this track, alongside a scattering of others along the way on this record prove that Megadeth still have the fire, hunger, and aggression to be a more than relevant force to be reckoned with in 2022. ‘Life In Hell’ is a much faster track, with another cracking central riff, blazing leads, galloping drumming, and meaty bass work to underpin and add gravitas, particularly when the atmospherics are dialled up alongside a slowing of pace in the central portion of the song. But the track is a cracking opener, full of intent, energy, and memorability, especially in terms of the lead guitar work, which does come close to rivalling the band’s best efforts. The pace isn’t lightning fast, and there’s even a momentary quiet lull as Mustaine almost whispers above an acoustic guitar and atmospheric sounds from elsewhere within the band. Mustaine sounds just like he always has, with his sneer-infused lead vocals adding some typical Megadeth attitude to the composition. The riff is melodic, catchy, and the swagger is undeniable. A lone guitar in no way lifts the gloom as it plays out an equally sombre tune, before the song finally lurches forth with maximum force. ![]() ![]() Together, they introduce the the title track of ‘The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead’. ‘Bring out your dead’, is the chillingly matter-of-fact lone call from the days of the Plague, alongside a howling wind and a mournful tolling bell. Joining Mustaine on this album is guitarist Kiko Loureiro (ex-Angra), bassist Steve DiGeorgio, and drummer Dirk Verbeuren (ex-Soilwork), and from the outset, I’m excited. However, the positive by-product of this is that I have been able to delve rather deeply into ‘The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead’, not worrying about the looming deadline of release day. I’m late in bringing this review to you, as the release coincided with a period of much needed rest in order to avoid burnout. However, something just felt a bit different in the build up to the release of this album, underlined by artwork and a title that unashamedly and deliberately harks back to the early days. It’s fair to say that, in my opinion at least, that some of the output since the mid-90s has been a bit hit and miss, so I’ve approached new material somewhat warily over the years. However, such is the intensity, belief, and ‘screw you’ attitude of the main man, he has again returned against the odds with yet another studio album, ‘The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead’ the sixteenth under the Megadeth banner. Over the years, the road has been a rocky one with the untimely death of drummer Nick Menza, a revolving door of musicians including the recent departure of long-time bassist Dave Ellefson under some controversy, and even a dalliance with cancer for Mustaine himself. ‘Youthanasia’, further enhanced by the excellently entertaining ‘Revolver’ film, remains a constant companion and, whilst I appreciate the greater technical prowess and aggression of other records, this album sits proudly alongside ‘Countdown To Extinction’, ‘Rust In Peace’, and ‘Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying’ as a personal favourite to this day. For context, this was early in my heavy metal exploration days when I knew very little. Tabloid hyperbole and sensationalism much of this may have been, but nevertheless it meant that I wondered for a while whether his musical output might also be too wild for me. I’d been reticent to dive into the band initially, having heard about the fact that mastermind Dave Mustaine was the wild child of Metallica, kicked out for his excesses and attitude. I discovered the band with their 1994 album, ‘Youthanasia’, and it was love at first listen. Album Title: The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead!įor countless reasons, Megadeth have always been at the very top of my thrash metal list. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |