Jump to content

Megadeth- Dystopia

dennis1077

By dennis1077
in Album Reviews

 Share

Recommended Posts

dennis1077 Newbie

dennis1077

Posted
Posted

I had feeling that Dystopia was going to be the best new Megadeth album in years. After Super Collider, Dave pretty much had to make a pure thrash album. Then Chris Adler started talking about his love of vintage Megadeth. Once I saw Vic boldly displayed on the cover, I just knew. MEGADETH WERE BACK.

This new band has a great chemistry. I didn't necessarily dislike the recent slew of Megadeth albums....they just didn't keep my attention very long. A few spins....then that was it. Dystopia, on the other hand, has stayed on my turntable.

Is it as good as Peace Sells? Of course not! It's still pretty damn good. I wrote up a detailed review on my blog with plenty of pics. 

 

http://greenandblackmusic.com/2016/04/09/megadeth-dystopia-album-review/

 

 

 

Quote

 

  • Quote
    Quote
    • Quote
      1.  

       

     

     

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MacabreEternal Veteran

MacabreEternal

Posted
Posted

There's a life to Dystopia that hasn't been prevalent for years with Megadeth.  There are some decent lead exchanges and a surprising lack of filler.  The energy is the main improvement I notice though, it could be the new blood just making good influence and re-energising Dave and Dave.  Last Megadeth album I enjoyed was "Endgame" and this trumps that hands down.

2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dennis1077 Newbie

dennis1077

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 hours ago, MacabreEternal said:

There's a life to Dystopia that hasn't been prevalent for years with Megadeth.  There are some decent lead exchanges and a surprising lack of filler.  The energy is the main improvement I notice though, it could be the new blood just making good influence and re-energising Dave and Dave.  Last Megadeth album I enjoyed was "Endgame" and this trumps that hands down.

 

Completely agree. I had the album playing in the background as I was doing some random chores. For a moment I zoned out and thought I was hearing Dave and Marty trade-off leads in Hangar 18. This is the best Megadeth album in a long time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
salmonellapancake Newbie

salmonellapancake

Posted
Posted

     I recently bought this album from my local Target store (and for any of those reading who live near a Target, I would suggest buying this CD from Target because they have an exclusive deal where there is a code inside the CD case which one can enter online to have the vinyl shipped to them free of cost). I have to admit that I had lofty expectations for this album; there was tons of hype for it, and I had heard so much positive feedback about it, so I thought I'd give it a go. My expectations were much more than satisfied.

     You'll recognize the classic megadeth sound throughout a lot of this album-- powerful chugging riffs, seemingly endless melodic leads, and, as always, Dave Mustaine's obvious classic rock and blues influence. So for any old school megadeth fans, you'll find that everything that you love about this band shines bright throughout this album, and all of it does justice to their classic releases.

     But for anyone who is looking for something more than just megadeth's signature sound, you've also come to the right place. There's also plenty of modern influence and intriguing aspects to this album. The songs "Post American World", "Poisonous Shadows", and "Conquer or Die!" all illustrate this very well (while Dave Mustaine wrote all of the other music by himself, these three songs were composed by him and Kiko Loureiro). Loureiro's contributions shed a slightly heavier and more modern light on the music, but it complements Mustaine and Ellefson's enduring sound seamlessly. "Poisonous Shadows" even features orchestral arrangements, and they work magnificently, giving that much more of an intriguing aspect to that section of the album.

     As far as drums go, Chris Adler fit in very well. Him and Ellefson anchored the rhythm section strongly. And while some of the drumming parts were a bit bland at times, Adler was able to hold the fort down with much control and precision. 

     As always with Megadeth, there is a ton of political content with deep meaning, and some songs displayed this more explicitly than others, but it is not in any way repetitive or boring. I found the lyrics to be quite eye-opening and thought-provoking.

     So I would say give this album a try. I purchased it without hearing any of the songs, and I was highly impressed. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Sacred Reich "Awakening"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • 5

        Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Immortal Bird "Thrive on Neglect"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      I
      • 1

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Vltimas 'Something Wicked Marches In'

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 3 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Candlemass "The Door to Doom"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,


      https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • 3

        Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,

    • Overkill "The Wings of War"

      MacabreEternal posted a blog entry in Album Reviews,

      Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • 0

        Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
      MacabreEternal

      Picked By

      MacabreEternal,
    View All
×
×
  • Create New...