MEGADETH - review added 4th December 2009
Album Review: Endgame (2009)
For fans of: Thrash... and re-treading early ground
This album has been out for a couple of months but it's only now that we've had chance to catch up with it. Endgame is Megadeth's 12th studio album and follows 2007's well received United Abominations.
I haven't really followed Megadeth that intently for over a decade now. The last of their albums I own is 1994's Youthanasia, although I have managed to hear odd tracks from the work in between. Some of it was okay, good even, but tracks from Risk (with music that ventured away from the traditional Megadeth sound) really didn't do anything for me.
It's good to hear that Endgame offers more of a return to the band's roots. This album is thrash through and through, even more so than the vaguely commercial tinged nuances of big-seller Countdown To Extinction. This album has the raw power and f*ck you attitude of Rust In Peace. This album is Megadeth pleasing the diehard fans and putting a stiff middle finger up to commercial pretensions. If they started the return to their original vibe with the previous album. Endgame seals the deal and puts a big red stamp on.
The band nowadays is little more than Dave Mustaine plus support. To be honest it works just fine. The sound is built around his unique voice so, as long as the musicians are good (which they are) it's perhaps not that important who they are. On Endgame, alongside Dave on lead and rhythm guitars, new boy Chris Broderick (Jag Panzer) plays lead and rhythm guitars too, James LoMenzo (White Lion, Zakk Wylde) plays bass, and Shawn Drover (Eidolon) hits the drums.
The instrumental 'Dialectic Chaos' kicks things off and leads into first track proper, 'This Day We Fight'. It's a speedy track that bounds along like a freight train powered by rocket engines. It's a fair track with a strong solid sound, although there's nothing particularly catchy about it. '44 Minutes' is mostly average too, although the massive lead/rhythm sections that litter the track are phenomenally heavy and cool.
'1,320`', a song about the standing quarter mile and dragsters, doesn't really cover the political-baiting lyrical themes Megadeth usually sing about. It's good to hear them singing about something positive, although the track is still surprisingly moody considering the theme. 'Bite The Hand' is decent enough, catchy even, although it doesn't bring anything new to the Megadeth table. 'Bodies' is similar in concept. It looks to the past for it's inspirations and gives them a modern-ish twist. Again, it's good, it's definitely Megadeth, but it ain't gonna set the world on fire.
The title track is a non-stop speed-fest that'll leave you breathless and in awe of the musicianship these guys can muster. It doesn't bother stopping for anything as uncouth as a catchy chorus or memorable hook, but it's still an easy track to like. The lyrics are definitely back to the land of faux-political bitching too, which is a good thing. 'The Hardest Part Of Letting Go... Sealed With A Kiss' is another of those split down the middle Megadeth monsters they often include on albums. The first half borders on the land of ballads, whereas the second is, well, interesting. I still can't work out if I like it or not, but I guess polarizing opinion is better than not creating any in the first place!
'Head Crusher' is much more like it. It smacks you in the face with the very first note and doesn't let up from then on. It's a semi-theatrical take on thrash with characters, a script and the potential for a grizzly video. 'How The Story Ends' is one of the album's more memorable moments. It's all a touch cheesy, but there's some fine riff's underpinning the track and it gets bigger and better as it runs through. There's a fat sound carrying 'The Right To Go Insane' on it's shoulders, although it's perhaps a little too close to 'Architecture of Aggression' from Countdown To Extinction for its own good.
Although I've heard tracks from previous album United Abominations I haven't given it enough time to make a firm judgment on it, therefore it's difficult to compare Endgame fairly. What I will say is that Megadeth are back to doing what they do best. Equally, they are almost damned if they do, damned if they don't because this album does little more than retread old ground. When Megadeth try something new they get criticized in all quarters. When they relive their glory years, as they do here, it sounds too familiar.
Endgame is not a 'brilliant' album. It should however do a reasonable job of pleasing the fans, and it's a worthy addition to Megadeth's discography.
Check out... That riff in the final track. Familiar?
Track List:
1. Dialectic Chaos
2. This Day We Fight!
3. 44 Minutes
4. 1,320'
5. Bite The Hand
6. Bodies
7. Endgame
8. The Hardest Part Of Letting Go... Sealed With A Kiss
9. Head Crusher
10. How The Story Ends
11. The Right To Go Insane
Label: Roadrunner Records
Artist's website(s): Megadeth , MySpace
