After having received my copy of Megadeth’s Super
Collider album today, and having given it one good listen, the following is my
review of said album.
First of all, this is a Megadeth fan album. This
album is for true fans of the band, those who have stuck with them, and loved
and appreciated them, from beginning ‘til now (and beyond). Those who are only
interested in “speed metal”, and that is all they want from Megadeth, will be
disappointed. BUT, for those of you who are music lovers, and who appreciate
finely-written songs with great hooks, this is the album of the year (the
decade!) for you!
The album has eleven tracks, from opener Kingmaker
to closer Cold Sweat. The artwork takes from the real-life science fiction of
the super collider http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superconducting_Super_Collider , while the back cover incorporates
an image that many metal fans will more closely associate with a songs like "Cyclotron" or Priest’s Painkiller album. The inside of the accompanying
booklet has all of the lyrics, plus some hilarious dossiers of the band being
discharged from a scientific project team due to their unruly behaviour; what a
great idea!
Track by track breakdown:
Track 1: Kingmaker –
I have to say, this is a great and well-written
song! It is heavy without being over-the-top, and sounds like it could have
been written in the “The System Has Failed” days.
Track 2: Super Collider –
As I listen to this great song, I have to imagine
that most modern rock bands only WISH that they could write a song this good!
I do, however, have a slight problem with it being
the 2nd track on the album, as I would have put something mildly
heavier in its place.
Would have loved to have been given a bonus track on
this album, this song played at full-on Megadeth breakneck speed!
Track 3: Burn! –
The song starts off with a tasty solo; after that,
the pounding drums bring in a “Cryptic Writings” album style of song, as the
guitars and Dave’s vocals announce this as
Megadeth song.
A very tasty song. Good chugging guitars.
This song may not be fast enough for some fans; it
is definitely a Hard Rock song, only with awesome Megadeth guitar solos!
Track 4: Built For War –
Lyrically, this is a constantly-rehashed Megadeth
staple, a la”Gears Of War”, “Recipe For Hate”, “Addicted To Chaos”, “How The
Story Ends”, etcetera.
This is a good song; not overly strong, yet there
really isn’t anything weak about it either.
I think, personally, it could have used some “Mustaine
snarl”; those biting/sarcastic vocals are missed here by this reviewer.
Track 5: Off The Edge –
A super-well-written song! Crank up your headphones
and revel in the intricacies of this tune! It’s heavy, without being so in a
cocky way – Mr. Mustaine knows how good this song is, and lets it stand for
itself.
The solos here are really good. It is AMAZING how
good the rhythm guitars back up the solos – very cool!
Track 6: Dance In The Rain –
As the vocals go, this reminds me instantly of songs
like “Foreclosure Of A Dream”, “A Secret Place”, “The Doctor Is Calling”, “Something
I’m Not”, “Blessed Are The Dead”, etcetera.
A mid-paced song, yet the guitars manage to feel
heavier than the last few songs.
The song tempo picks up at various points.
Dave’s vocals sound great here!
More great solos abound.
An extremely smart and well-written tune, with a new
and exciting vibe that still recalls past great tunes.
Definitely the best song on the album, so far!
Track 7: The Beginning Of Sorrow -
A great opening bass-line leads into an infectious guitar
groove, followed by brooding gang vocals.
A slower-feeling song, yet still with chunk guitars.
A real emotional pull-down is evident here, as you
sink into the story that the song is telling.
Track 8: The Blackest Crow –
Starts off with a surprising “country” feel – think Jon
Bon Jovi’s “Blaze Of Glory” album,
rather than Faith Hill or Willie Nelson.
As the song picks up, Dave’s vocals draw you from
one style to another effortlessly and seamlessly as the story goes on.
This song strives to tell a story, and sets the mood
of such story very well.
A good reach by the band, to try something new for
them, and they pull it off well (as seasoned pros should!).
This is the one song that reminds me of the “Risk”
album (think “Breadline” or “I’ll Be There”), but with more of a “Cryptic
Writings” style to it.
Track 9: Forget To Remember –
Chunky guitars really deliver a big, bad sound here!
Dave’s vocals have more emotional snarl than any of
the past eight songs did.
Again, a tastily-written song; fools you into
thinking it isn’t that heavy, while making you wanna head-bang with the
goat-horns up!
Another top-notch tune by Megadeth!
Sounds like it could have had its birth during the “Cryptic
Writings” days.
Track 10: Don’t Turn Your Back… -
This song opens with an acoustic guitar, and then
swiftly begins to recall a classic-rock, Eric Clapton- like vibe…
…And then they kick it into HIGH gear! Wow! Nice
double-kicks, Shawn Drover!
Again, sounds like something from “The System Has
failed”.
Lots of tasty guitar solos, but it is the rhythm
guitars that get the big workout here, forming an amazing bond with the rhythm
section (drums, bass) that makes my head bob to the beat of its own accord.
Track 11: Cold Sweat –
Heavy guitars, panning side to side, give this track
its opening.
Again, there is a lot more snarl from Mustaine’s vocals
here.
This song could have appeared on any album from “Cryptic
Writings” to “Edngame”, and been hailed as one of the best songs on whichever album.
If it isn’t the best song on this album, then it is definitely in a tie for
that title!
My Ratings:
Rating each song out of 5…
1. Kingmaker – 5/5
2. Super Collider – 4/5
3. Burn! – 5/5
4. Built For War – 4/5
5. Off The Edge – 5/5
6. Dance In The Rain – 5/5
7. The Beginning Of Sorrow – 5/5
8. The Blackest Crow – 4/5
9. Forget To Remember – 5/5
10. Don’t Turn Your Back… - 5/5
11. Cold Sweat – 5/5
Final Thoughts:
This album was a pure enjoyment to listen to. If I
had to categorize it, I would say it has more of a “The World Needs A Hero”
style to it, but with the excellent song-writing of “The System Has Failed”.
The songs sound new, yet wholly connected to
Megadeth’s deep past as well; rather than joining the mindless throng who
proclaim that this album is a detour off of the Megadeth path, I’ll simply
remind those reading this that the same thing has been said about numerous
other Megadeth albums, including but not limited to “Countdown To Extinction” ,
“Risk”, “Youthanasia”, and “The World Needs A Hero”…yet the great Megadeth
train rolls on.
You won’t find any re-labelled and recycled “Holy
Wars” or “Hangar 18” songs on this album, but you will find after a good listen
that this is STILL the same Megadeth, the Megadeth that constantly crushes all
competition and all media negativity and continue to put out some of the best
music on this planet.
Really, my only suggestion to Megadeth on this
album, would be to re-record the song “Super Collider” at a more fan-friendly
breakneck speed, and include it as a bonus track on the end of the album.
Ignore this album at your own risk! And, if you
decide that this music isn’t for you, may I suggest an album by Justin Bieber
or Nickelback?
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