Dystopia Megadeth 2016 Tradecraft Records/Universal Music After 2013’s lacklustre album Super Collider, Megadeth needed something, Dave Mustaine needed to take the reins and bring the Megadeth machine back into the fold. Super Collider sounded like a band going through the motions, it sounded stale and was sub-par formulaic. Super Collider has some decent songs, but it says something when the cover of Thin Lizzy's Cold Sweat was one of the best on the album. Predictably, soon after, drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist Chris Broderick left Megadeth to pursue other endeavours. For Dystopia, Mustaine loaned Chris Adler from Lamb of God on drums God and recruited Angra guitarist Kiko Loureiro into the Megadeth lineup and the impact is instantaneous, the sound of Dystopia is as fresh as it was back on United Abominations. Dystopia is produced by Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw who have presented an excellent sounding record. Each instrument is rip-roaringly crisp, the mix is near flawless and although reminiscent of Rust in Peace or Countdown to Extinction, Dystopia is a very modern sounding record and proves that Megadeth are still very much relative and worth their salt. The lyrics on Dystopia are typically Megadeth. Mustaine stamps his authority once more all over a Megadeth album and lyrically, Mustaine is on fire. Dave Mustaine's lyrics are not always to everyones taste and there are many that do not agree with Mustaine’s views. However, Mustaine has a great sense of cynicism and sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether Mustaine is being tongue in cheek, nationalistic or nihilistic about America and it is that ambiguity that can be so appealing about Megadeth. Last year, Megadeth toured with Lamb of God and Children of Bodom. During this tour, Megadeth debuted Fatal Illusion, a new song which was going to be on Dystopia. Fatal Illusion begins with the rattling bass of David Ellefeson and builds into a cynical look at the Western world which has come to be expected from Megadeth. This theme runs throughout Dystopia, prime examples of this are in The Threat is Real, Death from Within, Post American World and the title track itself. Each song is full to the brim of Mustaine’s observations, possibly giving a glimpse and an insight into what some Americans must be currently feeling. Dystopia is relentless from start to finish, Mustaine sounds rejuvinated and it seems that he has located his songwriting mojo. But this is not all on Mustaine's shoulders, credit where credit is due, the fresh vigour can also be attributed to the fresh injection of blood from Adler and Loureiro. The inclusion of piano on Poisonous Shadows only helps to show off Loureiro’s other skills and helps to show another side to Megadeth and even how the addition of a different member can help add to the Megadeth sound. The interplay between Mustaine and Lourerio on guitar is great. Power Metal fans will already be aware of Lourerio from Angra and as all Power Metal musicians are, Lourerio is an extremely talented and a fantastic guitarist. However, playing in Megadeth gives Lourerio another prong in his attack, at times Lourerio sounds a too much like Marty Friedman and his playing can seem rigid and a little too calculated. As with all Megadeth albums, Dystopia is not only technically good, it is extremely catchy too. Every song contains a hook or a melody, a little slice which allows you to get off on and appreciate. The Emperor is possibly the catchiest song on Dystopia and goes to show that as humorous as The Emperor is, Mustaine has lost none of his guts and venom when it comes to attacking a subject or person that has incurred his wrath. Dystopia finishes with a cover of Foreign Policy by Hardcore Punk band Fear. Foreign Policy really suits Mustaine’s voice, his gritty, raw tone rips through the record and to the untrained ear it has all the hallmarks of a Megadeth song, to which Megadeth could easily pass off as their own. Megadeth have once more released a decent thrashy record. Dystopia is fresh and current proving that Megadeth can still hold their own without feeling the need to reference the earlier work of their youth as a justification of their actions in the present. Dystopia is a fantastic album of cynicism and conspiracy theory laden songs that has truly set the benchmark for the rest of the year. It's good to have Megadeth back! 9/10 Adam The Threat is Real (Mustaine)
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