Megadeth’s 14th studio release, the aptly titled, Super Collider, confirms once and for all that these Los Angeles natives are truly part of the Big 4 as it has been bandied around recently that they may not have deserved this place alongside fellow acts Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax. It’s hard not to appreciate the impact and influence Dave Mustaine and co. have had on the metal world – distinctive, technical instrumental style that often features dense, intricate passages and trade-off guitar solos, with recurring lyrical themes including politics, war, addiction, personal relationships, and religion.
The band has sold over 50 million records worldwide, with six consecutive albums being certified platinum or multi-platinum in the US alone, and as of 2013, Megadeth had received eleven Grammy Nominations. Over the band’s 30 active years, more than 20 different people have officially performed as part of the group (including brief stints with Slayer’s Kerry King and GNR`s Slash), with Mustaine being the only constant member. This being their fourteenth album, Super Collider was released on June 4 , 2013 and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, making Super Collider the band’s highest charting album since 1994’s Youthanasia.
The album opens with ‘Kingmaker’, with the intensity of a UFC fight, paving way into the title track ‘Super Collider’, a behemoth of a track full to the brim of metal sensibilities – anthemic, catchy and heavy as fuck. ‘Burn!’ opens with the most incredible guitar shred – I can only imagine this song live. Since bass player and second longest serving member, Dave Ellefson, returned in late 2009 after an eight year hiatus, Mustaine has enjoyed sharing songwriting duties once again. This song highlights just that. ‘Built for War’ has it all, everything I see Megadeth as – technical, tight, loud, fast shredding fuckin’ metal.
Looking back over their extensive back catalogue, including the insanely good 1986 release Peace sells..but who`s buying? (my first introduction to Megadeth), 1990`s Rust in Peace and 2009`s Endgame, the one thing you can say is they have never veered from the course, proudly wearing their own unique take on metal and carrying the torch the world over.
‘Off the Edge’ opens up with the line, “Lately, it seems the world is going crazy, it wont be long before they replace me, and nothing seems to phase me anymore”. It may seem as though the red headed madman that is Mustaine may be reflecting a little more in his older years. The lyrical undertones would suggest that he has perhaps stepped back from holding that angst that he probably held so close for many, many years. As Megadeth’s primary lyricist, Mustaine is known for his often controversial, political, and more recently, personal lyrics. Poverty, depression and suicide are common topics, then you hear the trademark solos and I think, no, he’s still an angry motherfucker.
‘Dancing in the Rain’ is a driving track showcasing Shawn Drover’s enviable double kick prowess. ‘Beginning of Sorrow’ is a little bit of a nothing track for me actually, however it’s certainly made up for with ‘The Blackest Crow’ with a mandolin and banjo intro that just seems to fit – definitely a standout track for me with all the elements of your typical thrash metal goodness with a deft touch of southern rock. With a solo at the three minute mark that just hits you in the goolies…. hells to the yeah.
‘Forget to Remember’ and ‘Don’t Turn Your Back’ are another two standout tracks, with the duelling guitar attacks of Glenn Drover and Dave Mustaine making me want to go and punch holes through my neighbour’s house – absolute shred at its finest. The album finishes with the track ‘Cold Sweat’, leaving nothing in the tanks. Trademark riffage, epic amounts of double kick with a bassline that lets you know you’re alive.
Megadeth deserve tribute. Simple – raise up your horns, get ya shred on, buy the album.
8/10
Reviewer: Adam Barbuto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqMwLnMy6XA