Endgame

Just misses the mark...
"Endgame" may be Dave Mustaine's response to "Death Magnetic," the 2008 opus by Mustaine's former band Metallica. In the past, Dave felt a rivalry to make his band better than the band that gave him the boot in 1983, but has claimed recently that he's put it all behind him... giving this disc a listen, one might feel that he still harbors some resentment... because he gives Metallica a run for their money. "Endgame," Megadeth's follow-up to 2007's return to form "United Abominations," is Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine's introduction of Chris Broderick, Glen Drover's replacement, to the Megadeth world. Metal fans are familiar with Broderick for his work with Jag Panzer, as well as a touring member of the metal monster that is known as Nevermore... however, it seems as though he has found a home in Megadeth. "Endgame" is nearly the perfect Megadeth album. It contains the right ingredients... lightning-fast guitar work, speeding rhythms, Dave Mustaine's sneering vocals, and a dark sense of humor... however it comes up lacking on some songs in the lyrics department. There are a couple of tracks on the album, namely "44 Minutes" & "Endgame," that lack the intelligent lyrics Mustaine is known for. It's similar to reading a literal account of the events that are being described, and not with a "poetic sense" that Megadeth fans have come to expect from Mustaine's songs. Lyrics like "The two most violent men, it seemed, couldn't be stopped - Standard police issue guns were just not enough - But SWAT arrived and settled the fight - Between AK-47 and AR-15" from "44 Minutes" sound more like a news anchor's account of the story than the Mustaine lyrics we've grown accustomed to. The tracks on the album are relatively short, as well. The longest song is the title track, clocking in at 5:53. The rest are in between 2:25 and 4:41. But, on to the good stuff... Mustaine may have had some issues writing lyrics, but he obviously has no shortage of riffs in the head of his. The songs contain some of the most memorable, and technically superior, riffs that have ever graced a Megadeth album. Songs like "Bite The Hand" and "How The Story Ends" are simply air-guitar Heaven... distorted guitars, played with a fury that is rarely seen in modern music. His voice also seems to be in excellent shape for a man who's been sneering metal songs for over 25 years. His vocals really shine in the mix of this album, and the vocal harmonies in the choruses of songs like "Bodies" and "How The Story Ends" make him sound larger than life. While lyrics on a couple of tracks could use some work, the majority of the lyrics are spot-on, and contain the commentary and story telling, mixed with dark humor, Megadeth fans have come to expect. Dave's favorite topics are covered (war, politics, death, torture) but, he ventures to drag racing ("1,320") and love ("The Hardest Part Of Letting Go... Sealed With A Kiss"). With "The Hardest Part Of Letting Go... Sealed With A Kiss" Megadeth tries it's hand at what would be considered a love song, not unlike "Promises" from "The World Needs A Hero." It does start out with acoustic guitars, and odd lyrics for Mustaine to sing... but it does transform into, musically, a typical Megadeth up-tempo song. Mustaine and Broderick work their instruments like madmen. The albums lead track, "Dialectic Chaos," is a super-fast instrumental that featured Mustaine and Broderick trading solos and basically showing off. Broderick seems to be a perfect fit for Megadeth's style of metal, and certainly gets the opportunity to shine on this album. According to the liner notes, Broderick has 24 solos spread over the 11 tracks, compared to Dave's 17 solos. Broderick is also the first Megadeth guitarist to play a 7-string, and the extra B-string makes the sound that much heavier. "Endgame" is a fast-paced album... the songs, for the most part, chug through with speed and fury. Shawn Drover's drumming on this album is better than on "United Abominations," and (dare I say) may be a better fit in Megadeth than Nick Menza was, not to take anything away from Menza. He handles the thrash beats without missing a step, and, when he lays down a groove, the head-banging gives you whiplash. The album's first single, "Headcrusher," is his shining moment. The album is also bottom-heavy, thanks to bassist James Lomenzo. He has come a long way from backing Vito Bratta and Mike Tramp (That's right! He was a member of White Lion! How many of you knew that?), and his bass is very prevalant in the mix of this album. On "Bodies," his bass carries the verses through the guitar breaks. Along with Drover, he anchors the band, while those other two lunatics melt your face. This may (Gasp!) be the most talented, technically proficient line-up Dave Mustaine has ever assembled, and "Endgame" clearly shows it. The production is spot-on, thanks to Andy Sneap. Sneap's work on the boards is the work of a true veteran, allowing it to be bottom-heavy, without sounding muddled. Broderick's 7-string is amazingly heavy, without taking away from the bass, and Mustaine's vocal performance is flawless... other than the lyrics on a couple of tracks, it is true Megadeth. Rejoice, children! Metal Lives!

Very good for what it is, but Im getting old
I have to compliment Dave and the gang for a well done release here. For what it is, it is done very well. BUT ..... I guess I am getting older. This double bass drum, thrash power chord, fast scale run solo wanking does not excite me like it did when I was 20 years younger. Yes, when I was 27 I loved this stuff...... now at 47 I find myself preferring more harmonic textures and layers and melodic riffs. Heck I am enjoying some 1940's Big Band and Classical that I never listened to before in my life !! But I realize that is me changing....... so in evaluating the new CD I have to listen to it thru my younger ears and rate it from that perspective. Yes, it is well done and deserves a good rating. So I am giving it 4 stars. The only reason I don't go with 5 stars is many of the songs are too similar in tempo, key and structure so that they blend together in your mind as kind of being all the same. No, I will never listen to it again and in fact already gave it away to a friend's son who it just getting into heavy rock music.

Awesome new Megadeth CD!!!
This is a great CD from beginning to end. The musicianship is incredible. Dave was always a great rythem guitar player but his leads are hitting that great level now also. Of course Chris Broderick is on another level and plays bristering fast, but with feel. Jame's bass playing is outstanding on this CD and Drover is the guy who really came into his own on this CD. He plays with power, timing and really drives the songs through. The production is outstanding as Andy did a fantastic job. Best songs on the CD??? How the story ends, Bodies left behind, Bite the hand, Endgame, and 44 minutes really stand out. The right to go insane and today we fight are powerful songs also and very well done. This CD doesnt have a weak song and no filler songs at all and that is really impressive in this day and age. How woudl I rate it along side Megadeth best... I would say third all time behind Rust in Piece and Peace Sells. It is just more consistantly good from top to bottom than anything else they ahve done and they have a great catalog to pull from!!! I highly recommend this CD if you like hard core, techinal, and great musicianship in your songs!

Best Megadeth album since Rust In Peace
This album totally rips. It feels like classic Megadeth infused with modern relevance and a real sense of purpose. Prroduction is excellent and the musicianship is great. Vocals have never been the strong point of Megadeth but this album is as passable as any. What id does lack is memorable chorus's on many of the tracks. I currently would place this album 5th right after the classic 4 Mega-albums. It may go higher in time. This is how I have them ranked so far Rust In Peace (greatest thrash album of all time) 10/10 Peace Sells... 9/10 Killing is My Business... 8/10 So far So Good So What 7.5/10 Endgame 7.5/10 (will likely move up) The System had Failed 7/10 United Abominations 6/10 Countdown to Extinction 5/10 The World Needs a Hero 4/10 Youthanasia 4/10 Cryptic Writings 4/10 Risk 2/10

It Makes Your Ears Bleed.
For years, Megadeth fans have always fought between Peace Sells and Rust In Peace as being Megadeth's best album. Now with Endgame, fans now have to argue among 3 albums. Endgame's guitars explode like howitzers just as ideal trash albums should. The shredding going on here physically makes you tired. The technical skill shown here is unmatched. Any metal fan should pick this this up without delay.