Megadeth

Metal vocalists have a reputation—not entirely unwarranted—for comically generalized lyrics about good and evil, heaven and hell, etc. Megadeth's Dave Mustaine takes a decidedly different approach on United Abominations, peppering his lyric sheet with pointed references to the Mossad, Halliburton and Kojo Annan. But while Mustaine's jaded anger finds fuel in today's headlines, Megadeth's latest lineup draws its inspiration straight from the band's thrash heyday of the mid-'80s to early '90s.

Megadeth lose momentum when they delve into churning mid-tempo or more commercially titled metal (like the underwhelming remake of "A Tout Le Monde" with Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia). New lead guitarist Glen Drover, fortunately, seems happy to oblige the speed freaks, and Mustaine clearly values his presence, giving Drover lots of time in the guitar solo spotlight.

Mustaine's agitated, pinched growl sounds essentially the same as ever, and, based on his challenging solos, he's clearly made a full recovery from the radial neuropathy that put his career on hiatus several years ago. At the time, Megadeth seemed locked in a state of inevitable decline, but United Abominations and 2004's The System Has Failed have changed the storyline.

—Adam McKibbin
05.21.07

Megadeth have been through a lot of lineup upheaval circa the early 21st century, with longtime leader Dave Mustaine being the only familiar face left in attendance. But Megadeth's crunchy, venomous thrash has remained intact, as heard throughout their 2007 release, United Abominations (their first for the Roadrunner label). While many thrash-metal bands take the easy way out lyrically -- by detailing their encounters with Señor Beelzebub -- Mustaine has never shied away from voicing his opinion about politics and the state of the world. And as evidenced by such biting tracks as "Washington Is Next!," "Gears of War," "Amerikhastan," and the title track, Mustaine remains as outspoken as ever about what he's been seeing on CNN for the past few years. Musically, Megadeth were never afraid to show off their prog-worthy chops, and the 2007 lineup (which sees Mustaine joined by bassist James LoMenzo and the sibling tandem of Glen Drover and Shawn Drover on guitar and drums) appears custom-made for tackling "tricky bits" -- including the album-opening "Sleepwalker." Elsewhere, a re-recording of "A Tout le Monde" -- as a duet between Mustaine and Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia -- has "radio/MTV airplay" written all over it. They may have lost the plot for a period (remember 1999's Risk?), but with United Abominations, Mustaine and company certainly sound reborn. [The 2007 Roadrunner edition includes one bonus track.] ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide