Megadeth - Endgame

Yes, the album I was waiting for all Summer is finally here! This one was having me excited more than the new releases from Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains that both are coming up in the next two weeks...

After having listened to it for 4-5 times, I can definitely say that it delivers. More than that though - it just destroys. It ranks up there with Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction, as it has the sound of a classic album already - superb songwriting, killer guitar riffs (the like we had not heard from Mustaine since the early 90's), crazy guitar solos, incisive lyrics, this album has it all. Could this be the best metal album of the past 15 years? If not, it definitely ranks in the top 3. I ended up many times, throughout the album with a crazy grin on my face, just enjoying the power of the guitars, and actually wondering when was the last time I've heard such a good metal album and I've enjoyed a new record so much.

It starts with a fast an furious instrumental song, and doesn't let go for the next 45 minutes. Not that there is only fast thrash songs - the album is half mid-tempo melodic songs reminiscent of CTE, but the rest is classic Megadeth speed metal. There is no filler on that album also - all songs are excellent. However, I can already say that the title song, Endgame, stands out and will rank up there with 'In My Darkest Hour', 'Holy Wars' and 'Hangar 18' as a heavy metal classic.

Production-wise, the whole album is just crushing - we are facing a wall of sound that is clear but full. And the guitar tone is piercing, is fat and as so much balls, it might just be the best metal tone I've heard. And drums are also present and well defined. Definitely, having producer Andy Sneap around at Mustaine's home studio was the best thing that could possibly have happened for this record. Let's not forget the new guitarist, Chris Broderick, for the crazy guitar solos tha fill this album, and for the fact that he fits extremely well with Mustaine.

Granted, I am already sold, having followed Megadeth for the past 15 years, so I might not be neutral enough. Let's say that the 2 previous albums were a step in the good direction, as Megadeth was slowly getting back to what they do best. But with Endgame, Mustaine has surpassed himself, giving us a gem. And reviews all abound in the same direction:

Blabbermouth: 8.5/10.
Metal Hammer.
BW&BK: 10/10.

Definitely, with that record, Mustaine and his brain-child just re-established themselves as a relevant force in the metal realm - let's just hope that he keeps Megadeth alive, as he recently hinted at the fact that it might soon be the 'end of the road' to quote the title song...

Get the album in streaming here: http://www.myspace.com/megadeth !!!

And yes, as I thought, they will be in Canada this Fall. November 11th at the Bell Centre, with Slayer (which I've never seen live yet) ! This promises to be a great night, almost 10 years after seeing Megadeth for the first time (my first concert ever...).