February 27, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

It took a few years, but Dave Mustaine finally got the better of his former band. Well, to be honest, Rust in Peace actually did in the former mighty Metallica back in ’90, but at the time …And Justice for All pretty much ruled the ruins. A solid effort of one amazing CD was pretty much overlooked, despite a Grammy nod. It’s not easy to like Dave, and I hear this from many people in my travels. While his personal affronts might cast him in an ever-ill light, this album can’t and shouldn’t be ignored in my opinion. Megadeth has emerged with yet another offering in its long line of releases, some excellent, others forgettable, but all typically Dave Mustaine. Endgame has surpassed the thrash metal mediocrity of the 80’s contingency and blasted the notion that Megadeth’s better days were behind them. A solid effort has emerged from the newly-saintly Dave Sr.

Some of this CD sounds quite a bit like Rust in the sheer power and intensity. While I don’t necessarily find the songs to the peak of the former, Endgame has monster songs such as “This Day We Fight” which is as forthcoming as a bat to the chest and lingers about as long after the initial hit. Chris Broderick is predictably amazing with some very memorable riffs, not to mention the fine solo battling between Dave and himself in “44 Minutes.” The opening riff “1,320” is something that well might have been on Kill ‘em All with its full-throttle galloping, and it’s nice to hear a mix of both old and new elements. The CD is the best offering since 1990 for these humble ears. 

As with most musical ventures of today there is no reinvention of the wheel in Endgame, but Megadeth has accomplished a pretty large feat by sounding better than it has in years. Mustaine and Broderick shred relentlessly throughout, creating a metal CD not quite a masterpiece, but as close as they’ve come in 20-years. The CD is just a good time from start to finish. I was looking forward to this offering simply for the fact that I enjoyed The System Has Failed, but this CD passes the aforementioned in resonation long after you hear it.  

At this writing the classic duo of Mustaine and Dave Ellefson are set to reunite for the 20^th anniversary of Rust, so it will be doubly interesting to hear what these new songs will sound like with “Junior” thumping the thick coils, though James LoMenzo did a bag-up job in the fold. While lineup changes have always permeated the band’s tenure in the music world, Endgame might just be the next album we hail in the long term right next to Rust in Peace.
A fine addition to the legacy.

Release Date: September 9, 2009 
Label: Roadrunner Records  

TRACK LISTING

1.  Dialectic Chaos
2.  This Day We Fight!
3.  44 Minutes
4.  1,320
5.  Bite the Hand That Feeds
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

Total playing time:  45:05

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Megadeth - Endgame