Megadeth/TH1RT3EN/2011

Megadeth’s thirteenth album is surprisingly called TH1RT3EN, which while admittedly lacking the humor or creativity of past Megadeth titles, seems logical enough. In spite of its star-crossed moniker, Megadeth fans are in luck. TH1RT3EN is outstanding. However, before I start beating off all over my keyboard, let me issue the following disclaimer — this is not Rust in Peace II, Peace Sells II, or even Countdown to Extinction II. The thrash is minimal (like two songs minimal), it is not packed full of trademark Megadeth dual guitar solos, and it is not going to win the “Heaviest Face-Melting Thrash Metal Album of the Year” award from anyone, any time soon. It is however, packed full of well-crafted, catchy, modern-era Megadeth music.

It’s time for Megadeth fans clamoring for RIP II to accept defeat and move on. It’s clear that after twenty years of releasing non-RIP II albums, Dave Mustaine simply no longer has any interest in exploring the brand of thrash metal that put Megadeth on the map. The band spent the bulk of the nineties moving progressively further away from thrash, ultimately culminating in the complete genre departure that was Risk. The post-Risk era has seen Dave move the band back toward a more conventional Megadeth sound, but it is still far from the thrash glory of the bands first four albums. Instead, Dave & Co. find themselves nestled quite comfortably in the midst of a late career run of solid, mature, albeit somewhat predictable, heavy metal albums. Each one peppered with just enough old-school feel to keep their fanbase happy, while still allowing Dave to explore the hooky, hard-rock-radio ready heavy metal he is so damn good at writing.

For those of you looking for RIP II, I have taken it upon myself to compile the following list of post-Risk tunes. Feel free to throw them on your iPod and make-believe Dave did indeed deliver the album of your dreams.

Rust in Peace II Released November 1, 2011
1. Recipe for Hate… Warhorse
2. Return to Hanger
3. Blackmail the Universe
4. Kick the Chair
5. Sleepwalker
6. You’re Dead
7. Burnt Ice
8. This Day We Fight!
9. 1,320
10. Endgame
11. Headcrusher
12. Sudden Death
13. Never Dead
14. New World Order

O.K., that ought to do it.

Now we can go about the business of reviewing TH1RT3EN.

Megadeth have not released an album that sounds this good since 1994's Youthanasia. I always loved the thick sound of that record and thought that it suited Megadeth well. Countdown to Extinction, while a technical exercise in studio perfection, always sounded too robotic to me. TH1RT3EN sounds nice and fat, the band sounds live, the bass in audible, and Dave’s vocals are high in the mix, which is key because these songs are catchy and vocal dependent.

The songs themselves remind me of some of the deep cuts on Youthanasia, such as I Thought I Knew it All and Black Curtains. Deadly Nightshade has a funky palm-muted riff reminiscent of Train of Consequences. I absolutely love Wrecker. It sounds like a heavier version of Megadeth’s Risk-era track, Seven, mixed with Guns-n-Roses, Out Ta Get Me. The lyrics are great and will be appreciated by any married man such as myself. It’s really nice to hear some humor in a Megadeth song again. Megadeth employed humor in their music as far back as their debut album Killing is My Business with their cover of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots. Unfortunately, they have gotten away from the funny stuff in recent years, as the lyrics have become increasingly political & preachy. TH1RT3EN is more fun & simpler lyrically.

There are a handful of reworked b-sides on the album that fans may recognize, but they fit perfectly and each is better than the original. A few tracks like, We the People and Guns, Drugs, & Money, didn’t click for me immediately, but now I find myself really digging them. So give the record a few spins.

TH1RT3EN is strong and consistent from top to bottom. The playing is a bit more restrained and the song structures are more to the point. The focus is clearly on simpler songs with infectious hooks. The production is stellar and gives Megadeth a more modern sound that really compliments the band and the material. Some fans may be disappointed at the lack of overt thrash and TH1RT3EN’s pop tendencies, especially after the old-school promise of Megadeth’s previous effort, Endgame. TH1RT3EN is certainly not the ever-elusive RIP II. However, disgruntled fans should remember that Mr. Mustaine is in charge, and after all, Who’s Life is it Anyways. 8.5/10