Megadeth - The System Has Failed
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Artist: MegadethEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-09-14
Music Label: Sanctuary Records
Soundtracks:
- Blackmail the Universe
- Die Dead Enough
- Kick the Chair
- The Scorpion
- Tears in a Vial
- I Know Jack
- Back in the Day
- Something That I'm Not
- Truth Be Told
- Of Mice and Men
- Shadow of Deth
- My Kingdom
Free Music Notes for The System Has Failed
Free Music Review: The System May Have Failed, But Megadeth Sure Didn't!
Hit: 5 Stars
The System Has Failed(2004). Megadeth's Ninth Studio Release. Featuring Former Guitarist Chris Poland, Bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas, and Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
In 2002, Megadeth had officially broken up. Why? Megadeth frontman and leader Dave Mustaine, after a night of drinking, fell asleep on his hand and couldn't move it, therefore disabling him from playing guitar and writing songs. Around the same time, Drummer Nick Menza, Bassist Nick Effelson, and Guitarist Marty Friedman, the three main musicians of Megadeth other than Mustaine, abruptly quit the band, possibly because of disappointment over their last two albums, 'Risk' and 'The World Needs A Hero'. Just to burden Mustaine even more, Effelson even sued him for $18 million dollars! In the course of about 7 months, Mustaine regained control of his arm, and he hired former Guitarist Chris Poland, not to mention Bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas and Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. With his line-up intact, Megadeth set out to record 'The System Has Failed', a politically charged album as hard as 'Rust In Peace', and, as Mustaine considered it, his "dream album". Unfortuneatly, two months before the album's release, the album was leaked on to every file-sharing system on the internet, and it was downloaded by thousands overnight. Anyways, despite all the hardships around the album, does Megadeth's return mark a bright or a dark spot on their career? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
Blackmail The Universe- A very political song, "Blackmail The Universe" criticizes America's justice system, beginning with a news report and ending with Mustaine shrieking "Blackmail the universe!". Mustaine spews out angry vocals behind a thrashy beat, with thumping percussion and sludgy guitar licks, and Poland can still shred like a madman! Imagine Youthanasia's Megadeth, but up the speed and the heaviness. A good album starter!
Die Dead Enough- Megadeth's newest radio hit, "Die Dead Enough" starts off with James Bond's intro music, but turns into a catchy, dark look at the invincible(such as James Bond?). Mustaine's vocals work surprisingly well here, and Mustaine and Poland, not to mention Bassist Jimmy Sloas create a heavy, melodic, and addictive thrash beat, not unlike "Symphony of Destruction", and it works extremely well, and the guitar solos soar.
Kick The Chair- The first song recorded after Mustaine's injury, "Kick The Chair" is a political-driven rocker, criticizing the justice system once again. Although it's mostly heavy metal, there are traces of punk in the thrashy beat, and Megadeth blends a good metal anthem worthy of the album. Very similar to Metallica's "Hit The Lights".
The Scorpion- An epic rocker, "The Scorpion" starts off eerily, with various kid toy's noises, but turns into a dark and doomy look at getting killed by a scorpion. Very complex, the song adds in keyboards throughout, and Megadeth, notably Mustaine and Poland's guitar showmanship, stays musically and creatively strong. Imagine the Megadeth song "Trust", but significantly darker.
Tears In A Vial- A gloomy melodic rocker, "Tears In a Vial" uses a thrashy, but melodic beat, and pained singing from Mustaine to add to the song's tone. Once again, I can compare "Tears In A Vial" to a heavier version of the Megadeth tune "Use The Man". Poland and Mustaine: Gotta Love 'Em!
I Know Jack- A general filler song, "I Know Jack" is a critical song towards Senator Ted Kennedy. It's basically a 40 second guitar solo, so it's not bad at all.
Back In The Day- Another politically charged song, "Back In The Day" features an aggressive, punchy thrash beat, and Mustaine seems content to be angry. Poland and Mustaine dominate the song with their technical guitar arpeggios, and "Back In The Day" is a great song along the lines of early Megadeth.
Something That I'm Not- A doomy rocker, "Something That I'm Not" sounds a little like Alice In Chains, but with shredding guitar licks, possessed vocals, and angry lyrics. Like I said before, this song sounds oddly like Alice In Chains, but there's no doubt it's Megadeth rocking the house!
Truth Be Told- The album's ballad, "Truth Be Told" is a heavy, punky, no-holds-barred metal anthem about professing your love. Sound odd? Well, it kind of is! Mustaine's vocals go from melodic to angry, and Megadeth hasn't sounded like this since their fiery Rust In Peace, with scorching guitar solos and insane time signatures. Very good.
Of Mice And Men- Taking it's title from the classic novel, "Of Mice And Men" finds Megadeth singing like The Who and Nirvana, blending a melodic song about teenage angst. Very much like Megadeth's Cryptic Writings material, "Of Mice And Men" is melodic heavy metal at its best.
Shadow of Deth- Taking the words to Psalm 23, "Shadow of Deth" is Megadeth's portrayal of David's famous prayer. While the vocals consist of a weird monster person, there is an extremely awesome beat, and when the song turns into a monstous guitar solo, you know you're in for a ride!
My Kingdom- "My Kingdom", which is your typical in-your-face metal we've come to expect from Megadeth, is saved by the fact that the guitarwork and keyboards work well together. Not the best song, but still good.
Overall, The System Has Failed is completely what I expected, chockful of incredible guitarwork, catchy melodies, aggressive anthems, and profound lyrics. Chris Poland is a fine replacement for Marty Friedman, as he and Mustaine churn out Megadeth's best guitarwork since their masterpeace, 'Rust In Peace'. Although The World Needs A Hero was a good album, it was a little too soft at times, but The System Has Failed is a strong album perfectly showing that Megadeth actually respects their Thrash roots, unlike another band we know(*cough* METALLICA *cough*). What more can I say? I urge you to pick up Megadeth's latest offering, you won't be disappointed.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF HEAVY METAL, MODERN ROCK, AND MEGADETH! MEGADETH'S STRONGEST RELEASE SINCE COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION!
Killer Kuts- "Die Dead Enough", "The Scorpion", "Tears In A Vial", "Truth Be Told", and "Back In The Day".
Also Recommended-
Rust In Peace- Megadeth
The New Order- Testament
The Black Album- Metallica
Thanks For Reading!
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