5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
Through troubled waters Dave Mustaine has brought the beast that is his band back to the forefront of rock music.
The “Sick, The Dying… And the Dead” is Megadeth’s first album since “Dystopia” six years ago. During this time, David Mustaine has beaten cancer, so it’s somewhat of a joyous release. Although the album was supposed to be released in 2019, through obvious and not-so-obvious complications, there has been delay after delay. But at last, on Friday, 2nd September 2022, we got what we have all been waiting for, the chance to all rock out on some new Megadeth. Does the album disappoint after its long gestation period? Not for even a millisecond.
The album opens with a tolling bell, then a street caller yelling for you to “Bring Out Your Dead.” After which, the Megadeth traditional dual riffing guitars take you into the title track, then the whole band break in at the one minute ten second mark. From here on, it’s chocks away—the band is flying.
David Mustaine commands central stage with his lead guitar slung low and the vocals set to growl. Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro has been with David Mustaine since 2015, so sounds confident, aggressive and in control. Dirk Verbeuren is featured in the Megadeth lineup in the recording studio for the first time, doing a wonderful job battering his way along, bringing to mind a flexible Animal from the Muppets. The drive and power he brings to Megadeth are awesome to experience.
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For the recording of this collection of songs, Steve Di Giorgio brought his wealth of experience in the bass guitar department to the Megadeth ranks. He is currently the bass player with Testament, but his CV is magnificent and long. However, James LoMenzo has returned to the Megadeth ranks since the recording of this album and will be with the band as they head out on the road.
This album is Megadeth’s sixteenth, released on David Mustaine’s Tradecraft Record Label. David Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw have produced the album, so it’s pretty much the complete head-banging package.
In all, you get battered by twelve hard rockin’ monster songs plus two sonic bonus tracks. David Mustaine either writes or co-writes all of the twelve numbers; the two bonus tracks are covers of the Dead Kennedy’s ‘Police Truck,’ during which Jello Biafra could never have imagined the heavy reckoning his song would get in Megadeth’s hands, the music being treated as a brutal weapon.
Delightfully, the other bonus track is a cover of Sammy Hagar’s flag bearer, ‘This Planet’s on Fire (Burn in Hell),’ with Sammy Hagar guesting on vocals. To be honest, the price of the CD is justified just for this wonderfully over-the-top version. The guitar solos from Mustaine and Loureiro will have many an air guitar ripped from its sheath.
Amongst the other songs that stand out from all the other highlights, I have to include ‘Night Stalker’ with its electrifying riff and guest vocals from Ice T. “It’s about the 160th Battalion with the US Army and its black-ops helicopters that go in at night.”
‘Killing Time’ is all about a former girlfriend of Mustaine’s. Listen to the lyrics and make your own mind up. I did, and I can think of some others it applies to.
‘Dogs of Chernobyl’ is not about the Ukraine War but merely a love song to the wonders of medical science that allowed Mustaine to make a rapid and complete recovery from throat cancer. Mustaine’s treating radiologist, Tony Cmelak, gets a lyric credit for his contributions of a couple of phrases and information about the radiation poisoning when everyone got sick at Chernobyl. Who said heavy metal could not be informative and compassionate?
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There are also a couple of pure burners on the album. ‘Celebutante’ and ‘We’ll Be Back’ will slay them on the live stage. Bring it on. These are not two-minute blitzkriegs but a prolonged battering to rock your body.
‘Mission to Mars’ is Megadeth’s clever dip into the realms of space rock, with excellent sound effects and clever lyrics. ‘Rusting in Peace’ with a touch of ‘Space Oddity,’ it still rocks like a mother, with Kirk Verbeuren on the drums excelling. This is going to be interesting live.
There’s over an hour of head bangin’ glory on this collection.
Only time will tell whether this will be considered a Megadeth classic, but I know where my money is.
Megadeth on The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead
David Mustaine- Lead Guitar and Vocals.
Kiko Loureiro – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals and Flute on Night Stalker
Dirk Verbeuren – Drums
Steve Di Giorgio- Bass Guitar
Brandon Ray – Additional Vocals
Eric Draken Percussion
Roger Lima – Keyboards and Effects
Iced T – Vocals on Night Stalkers
Sammy Hagar – Guest Vocals on This Planet’s On Fire
Songs
The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead
Life in Hell
Night Stalkers (Featuring Iced T)
Dogs of Chernobyl
Sacrifice
Junkie
Psychopathy
Killing Time
Soldier On
Celebutante
Mission to Bars
Bonus Tracks
Police Truck, Dead Kennedy’s Cover
This Planet’s On Fire (Burn in Hell), Sammy Hagar Cover featuring Sammy Hagar
Written by Mott the Dog
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