MegaSoul's Full Review: United Abominations by Megadeth
Dave Mustaine likes TV's 24. I mean really, really, really likes 24...enough to feature a quote from the show's creators in the liner notes of his band's latest CD.
Love him or hate him (few people are on the fence), Dave Mustaine has been a major player in the rock and metal world for over twenty years now. And get this: Megadeth's latest album is one of their best. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's damn close. United Abominations is Megadeth's eleventh (!) studio CD (their first for Roadrunner Records), and minus some lyrical meandering here and there, it is simply stellar.
Brother duo Glen (guitar) and Shawn Drover (drums) joined Megadeth in 2004 just after the release of the criminally overlooked Megadeth comeback The System Has Failed and breathed new life into the quartet. Glen D. cites former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland as one of his primary influences, but his style on United Abominations is perhaps more reminiscent of Marty Friedman‘s. Glen's got ability for miles and has a sense of melody in his playing that makes his twin axe attack with Mustaine a joy to listen to.
Shawn D. isn't quite as flashy in a live setting (though he does appear to be made of titanium if you have ever seen the band during one of their Gigantour gigs featuring twenty foot high flames bursting around the drum kit), but the older brother is equally awe-inspiring in a studio setting. Most notably, he puts on a clinic at the end of "Burnt Ice", which echoes 1990's masterpiece "Holy Wars...the Punishment Due" with its frenetic energy.
The new bass player, James Lomenzo...where the hell did this guy come from? I know some wise-asses are going to point out that he used to play bass for White Lion, but I don't care if he played bass for Carrot Top (this idea conjures up sad images of Carrot Top swinging a guitar at a baseball screaming, "bass-ball! Get it?! BASS! BALL!"). Lomenzo is a monster. Try to keep up with his fingers on "Washington Is Next!"...I dare you. All due respect to David Ellefson, who helped keep the band together for more than fifteen years (and James MacDonough, who is not only a great bassist, but a great guy as well); but Lomenzo really brings something new to the table.
From a production standpoint, the group has never sounded better. Long time Megadeth collaborator Jeff Balding was utilized during the extensive recording sessions for United Abominations as well as British audio guru Andy Sneap (who was deservingly Grammy-nominated for his work on Killswitch Engage's "The End of Heartache", another killer record). Mustaine and company have wisely eased back this time on their use of audio samples (though Dave himself uses a lot of spoken word).
Remarkably, one of the few warranted criticisms about this release is typically one of Dave Mustaine's best strengths: his lyrics. There is some amazing stuff here for sure (his dissection of the United Nations on the title track is particularly enlightening), but sometimes his focus strays. "Amerikhastan" in particular has so many thoughts crammed into it that it's hard to get a firm idea where Mustaine's motivation is coming from. "You're Dead" is rendered a bit silly with a chorus featuring the lines One day I'll dance on your grave/Even if you're buried at sea!
But Dave's still got it. The album is peppered with his trademark wit and humor, and it is arguably his most politically-charged release to date. Mustaine shreds as well as he ever has, and he is one of the rare vocalists who seems to get better with age. If this lineup sticks, I can't wait to see where they go with the next one.
Since United Abominations was released a month ago (it debuted at number eight in the U.S., Megadeth's highest charter since 1994's Youthanasia), Megadeth have enjoyed a tour with Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio on vocals) and are currently promoting the new disc in Europe. Megadeth, like most bands that have lasted for many years, has endured countless peaks and valleys. Reinvigorated and focused, Megadeth has entered an exciting new chapter, and United Abominations is unquestionably a true high point.
Rap-rock is dead. Nu-metal is gone. And after the people get their hands on United Abominations, all of the over-processed, computer sounding garbage ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.