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1.  Sudden Death
2.  Public Enemy No. 1
3.  Whose Life (Is This Anyway?)
4.  We the People
5.  Guns, Drugs, & Money
6.  Never Dead
7.  New World Order
8.  Fast Lane
9.  Black Swan
10.  Wrecker
11.  Millennium of the Blind
12.  Deadly Nightshade
13.  13

Total playing time:  57:33

Release Date: November 1, 2011
Label: Roadrunner Records

Megadeth - Th1rt3en

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

December 18, 2011

MegaDave welcome’s Dave Jr. back to the fold on Th1rt3en. Th1rt3en, is, as you guessed, Megadeth’s thirteenth album.  Taking a slight step back from the hysterics of Endgame, Th1rt3en is the album that should have been released between Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia.  

Album opener “Sudden Death” is armed with the usual ‘Deth chaos.  Both Mustaine and Broadrick torch their fret boards while the song gallops and grinds in the standard fashion.  Both “Public Enemy No. 1” and “Whose Life (Is This Anyway?)” find Megadeth aiming for the mainstream as the songs are a bit more reserved and radio-friendly than anything written since The World Needs A Hero. That doesn’t mean these songs are weak though.  The soloing on “Public Enemy No. 1” is among the album’s best while “Whose Life” is only dragged down by the chorus. “We the People” features much more of a groove than the previous tracks while MegaDave continues to gripe about the state of the U.S.A. and will irritate the Megadeth fans that actually support Democrats and Republicans.  ‘Guns, Drugs, & Money” continues the slower, chunkier path of the previous track while “Never Dead” employs a much more chaotic riffing style and faster pace.

The 90s are revisited with the first full-blown recording of “New World Order.” The song gets a bit of a tweak from the demo and Duke Nukem appearance and makes for one of the best moments on Th1rt3en.  Also revisited and updated are “Black Swan” and “Millennium of the Blind.” Both tracks sound like Megadeth of the 90s and actually fit in with the overall vibe of Th1rt3en. Especially since the brand new material on Th1rt3en makes a sizeable nod to the band’s 1992 to 1997 output.

Unfortunately “Fast Lane” should have lived up to its title and “Wrecker” actually does.  Both songs feature much more filler than thriller and are easily skipped.  But things get back to normal with “Deadly Nightshade.”  Ellefson’s marching bass gives the song some sturdy legs while the dueling solos juxtapose nicely again the overall grove of the track. “13” starts out rather subdued before growing into a rather impressive, mid-paced aggressive track.

Th1rt3en is a successful album.  Some of the most notable difference between Th1rt3en and last two Megadeth releases is the focus on choruses and hooks and a reduction of jack-hammering riffs and off-the-wall fret fits.  Both United Abominations and Endgame weren’t as focused or polished as Th1rt3en.  Also, Th1rt3en as a slightly slower album that allows for a bit more crunch and groove that usual but the solos are completely on-par.  Megadeth fans, especially those that have been faithful to the band since it’s return with The System Has Failed, will enjoy Th1rt3en.  Those expecting another Rust in Piece need to get real.  Th1rt3en is recommended.