Megadeth - Dystopia (2016)

The day is always better when we have good new Megadeth album. Yes, this is our lucky year, Megadeth is on top of their wheel of fortune. Dystopia is their 15th studio album, and it is the better one. Indeed, perhaps the best one after a long long while. There are two ultimate questions for Megadeth cyber army, and fans worldwide, to expect from this album. First is how the two new guys doing on in helping Dave Mustaine maintained Megadeth. While Kiko Loureiro acquisition is highly celebrated, can this aging thrash metal band benefit from this younger gun? Kiko's background, mainly in Angra, seem a bit out of Megadeth sound. The former Chris Broderick himself at least played in thrash band Nevermore, and he declared conflict in creative idea with the band after only several years. On Chris Adler side, the situation a bit easier. On paper, Chris is likely the most qualified drummer for Megadeth in any situation. We curiously want to listen this new line up to fire up indeed. Secondly, how Megadeth will sounds and survive after their weird, less-thrash, previous release, Super Collider?

Well, Megadeth also highly like to address these issues a.s.a.p. Three songs had been published online prior to the full album release. The Threat Is Real, Dystopia and Fatal Illusion all hastily released in Youtube by the band. These three songs are in positive acceptance by fans. They demonstrated the band eagerly return to old days. Trademark riffs, unique Dave thrash voice, blazing solos and drum are present there. The nightmare of Super Collider to be past now. The rest of album is also very promising. The highlights are: Post American World, which is almost a revision to Cryptic Writing's era, sounds like Trust but with real thrash guitar added to them.Then, Poisonous Shadows is poisonous track on the album where additional orchestra and choir inserted. A symphonic thrash metal maybe, what this song is. Kiko Loureiro had done impressive jobs so far, covered almost every bars with solos. He got even high time in Conquer Or Die with acoustic guitar intro and full instrumental song, highly in his favorite Latin minor scale. Even the traditional Megadeth "melodic speech" song got its upgrade in Last Dying Wish.

Dystopia is going to be everyone favorite album because the materials are surprisingly kick ass. Songs are strong with many awesome riffs we can expected from Megadeth. It is positively my favorite album after Youthanasia. Kiko as we just listen, is superb in this album. He just nailed all the required solos, fills in, riffs with easiness at the same time quite tense also. Chris Adler is without question throwing all his power, for this maybe his one shot opportunity as Megadeth member. Furious double pedal fills is now part of Megadeth sounds. The two Dave and David stayed on top of their game. David Jr didn't lost any idea as he just doing his Metal Allegiance project and has enough groove to give. Dave Mustaine himself find his best signature vocals in this album. Forget all our rage after the previous album, Megadeth is back with Dystopia.

Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Megadeth - Dystopia (2016)

01. The Threat Is Real
02. Dystopia
03. Fatal Illusion
04. Death From Within
05. Bullet To The Brain
06. Post American World
07. Poisonous Shadows
08. Look Who's Talking [Best Buy/iTunes bonus]
09. Conquer Or Die - instrumental
10. Lying In State
11. The Emperor
12. Last Dying Wish [Best Buy/iTunes bonus]
13. Foreign Policy [Fear cover]
14. Me Hate You [Japanese bonus]
15. Melt The Ice Way [Budgie cover] [digital bonus]

Dave Mustaine - guitars, vocals
Kiko Loureiro - guitars
David Warren Ellefson - bass, backing vocals
Chris Adler - drums

Megadeth Dystopia album review

Album Megadeth terbaru bersama gitarist Kiko Loureiro.

Megadeth Looking for New Guitarist and Drummers 2014 After Broderick and Drover Quit

The super collider news from Megadeth today is, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover both quit the band almost simultaneously. They announced on their personal blog November 26th 2014 about it , no background stories yet. Chris had been in the band for 7 years and Shawn for 10 years, quite ever lasting in context of Dave Mustaine's band!

Official statement from Chris Broderick in quitting Megadeth:

"It is with great reluctance that I announce my departure from Megadeth to pursue my own musical direction. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate the amount that you, the fans, have accepted and respected me. I wish Dave and everyone in Megadeth all the best. I am working on a few things of my own, and hope that when they come out, you’ll all dig it.”

Drover says: “I have decided to quit Megadeth to pursue my own musical interests. I want to thank Dave Mustaine and the entire Megadeth family, as well as all the amazing fans around the world. I truly appreciate all of you. Stay tuned for info on my next musical journey.”


Of course now the big question we all waiting for, the next guitarist and drummer for Megadeth, who is now left only Dave and David Ellefson on board.

To help you imagine the wildest dream, here are the list of 'vacant' guitarists and drummers available for Dave to pick!

There are six guitarists to ever officially join Megadeth, who is the next 7th guitarist?

MEGADETH NEW GUITARIST RUMOS AND SPECULATIONS

1. Jeff Loomis - finally new Megadeth guitarist? It had been a strong rumors on social network for this to happen. The only setback truth is, Jeff  *just* joined Arch Enemy weeks ago!

2. Marty Friedman - old time fans are going crazy to petition Dave Mustaine to even considered this to be happened. Not easy since Marty is having zen-like life in Japan right now.

3. Gus G - he is roaming the heavy metal world ever since now. Firewind still his band, but he is a good choice if Dave wanted to lure him out of Firewind.

4. Christian Muenzner - of former Obscura band.

5. Doug Aldrich - of former Whitesnake, just left Dave Coverdale and join Dave Mustaine seems quite a day to call for....

6. Carl Johann Grimmark - of Narnia. Some one with something in common with Dave Mustaine?

UPDATED January 3rd 2015: Stephan Forte dispute the rumor of him being Megadeth new guitarist, yet still posted a video of him playing Hanger 18 for fans. Youtube LINK.

As for drummers :

1. Dave Lombardo - it is reported that Dave himself said he is open for invitation to join the band... the greatest drummer ever for Megadeth?

1. Mike Portnoy - now fans also cried out for this to be ever happen.

2. Bobby Jarzombek - of Iced Earth, Fates Warning, Riot.

Megadeth - Super Collider (2013)

The generation of '80s metal bands we knew usually already passed their 'experimental' period and survived through our year 2013. For example, Metallica with  Loud - ReLoud - St Anger, Helloween with Chameleon, even Iron Maiden with Virtual IX kind of things. Megadeth, the common understanding is, their 'period' was in Cryptic Writings - Risk and The World Needs A Hero way back ten years ago. Yet, Megadeth looks like going to have their '2nd period' soon. Super Collider is their 2013 album, the 14th studio album so far, and yet another turn of musical changes. Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover are well preserved from the last studio album, and this make a trivia entry in Wikipedia as the "second album not to feature a lineup change from the preceding album, since Cryptic Writings". Oh, do you see the pattern? We need Megadeth to changed to avoid this 'period', gentlemen!

Ok, that first paragraph was actually based on previewed track prior to Super Collider released. After get the full album, there is actually good news around. Well folks, majority of the album still falls into that experimenta' things. Kingmaker is surely one of them, this opener is nowhere intense as the four previous albums opening. Kingmaker is safe and sound riffs with Dave gone melodic singing, rather than murmuring a pretext of war or injustice around the world. Still the song is entirely has Megadeth identity, feel like in the end of Youthanasia era, and actually this potential as hit for another few years in live setting. Super Collider is what we face palm-ing when we got the preview month ago. The song started with bluesy riffs and there Dave Mustaine lead the team performing in hard rock style, right in the second song of the album. Be patience, because the next Burn! is something a relief, after burning guitar licks in the intro we are back on the Megadeth tracks. Burn! is something more fit into 2000s Megadeth sounds. Still, yet still, the song is 50% blues thrash metal! If you manage to get the fourth track, Built For War, then the patience is somewhat paid off. Yes, this is what we, loyal fans, looking for. The thrash metal with Dave singing about war. Built For War see Dave sing with extra screams, things he seem rarely need to with previous Megadeth songs writing. Smile and let's continue. Off The Edge is Risk - influence track. Dance In The Rain is something interesting to be fair. The Dave speaking track is a welcome one, the song developed into nice dark and sad chorus. Then there is the ending improvisation that make the song not so easy to play by amateur. The Beginning Of Sorrow is alternative / grunge feel at the very first few second of intro. This is part of experimental tracks to take cautioned with. As weird as the next follow up, The Blackest Crow all the way with mandolin intro. Forget To Remember is a better melodic intro leading tunes. It is hard rock feel again. And do you hear David Draiman backing voices? One of new feature in this album that rare happened before. Don't Turn Your Back.. is trivial Gary Moore lick blended into double pedals beat. Cold Sweat is Thin Lizzy cover, again Wikipedia noted this as the trivial case where only happened back in So Far So Good era where Megadeth included cover song in main track list of album. In the limited edition, All I Want is one good bonus track with heavier riffs, sounds more fury in the song as what Dave should be. A House Divided on other hand is begin with a strange 'cowboy' minor intro brasses. The verses are done in mid tempo beat but then the chorus is heated up and gone slightly faster then.

For sure this is where Megadeth trying out their new ideas, in official album. To be fair, the album is easy and  memorable for wider hard rock / metal listener. Letting off Megadeth thrash metal label in Super Collider will probably give this album more acceptable to fans, who patiently wait Dave and David to play thrash metal for sure. Not an easy public relationship for the band to his loyal fans for now. Even where the band's keep a good contact with fans via social sites, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, something need to be praise for such great band. Some direct cry out is unavoidable and hopefully the band take a note on this reaction. Super Collider is where Megadeth trying new water, less heavier, but awesome guitar works are still there, interesting songs are exists, Dave Mustaine singing in his trade mark voices are still to be found. Counted this as 'bonus' CD, let's just enjoy it.

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Megadeth Super Collider 2013
Buy it HERE at AMAZON

01. Kingmaker
02. Super Collider
03. Burn!
04. Built For War
05. Off The Edge
06. Dance In The Rain
07. The Beginning Of Sorrow
08. The Blackest Crow
09. Forget To Remember
10. Don't Turn Your Back...
11. Cold Sweat (Thin Lizzy cover)

Japanese / Best Buy / other bonus tracks
12. All I Want
13. A House Divided
14. Countdown to Extinction (live)
15. Symphony of Destruction (live)

Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, lead, rhythm, acoustic and slide guitars
Chris Broderick – lead, rhythm, acoustic guitars and backing vocals
David Ellefson – bass guitar and backing vocals
Shawn Drover – drums, percussion

Bob Findley
David Draiman – vocals on "Forget to Remember" and "Dance in the Rain"

Megadeth Super Collider album artwork and review

List of Guitarist Crossed Path with Megadeth

In its thirty years of acts, Dave Mustaine has put in most notable guitarist on his Megadeth line up. There are about seven guitarist that officially manage to landed as Dave's right hand. Two of them only serve as appetizer to Megadeth's earlier years:

Greg Handevidt - He stayed in the same rented apartment with Mustaine and present as founding member of Megadeth. Greg then returned to Minnesota and his story ended there. Greg then formed a band Kublai Khan but retired in late '80, now work as an attorney.


Kerry King - Mustaine then proceed to invite, or rather pursued, Kerry King to help the band. Kerry King already part of Slayer. Kerry played a few live show and then the history then finished there as Kerry return to Slayer. Kerry was reported saw Dave playing with Metallica and greatly admired that. Dave Ellefson also stated that Kerry is a natural fit to Dave because he fundamentally know the riff. Although there were feud between Mustaine, but in 2000s where Megadeth and Slayer join in Big Four concert, both guitarist become business colleague again. 


Five guitarist shred in the history of Megadeth and recorded an album.

Chris Poland - served as Megadeth guitarist in Peace Sells and Killing is My Business....from 1984 to 1987. Chris defined the earlier sound of Megadeth. Dave Mustaine praised Chris as a rich player and his jazzy influence. Chris are the only Megadeth guitarist who return to help Mustaine after his departure from Megadeth. Chris Poland helped Megadeth again in 2004 and recorded all solo on the album The System Has Failed.


Jeff Young - Chris was out and Jeff Young fill in in 1987 to 1989. Dave Mustaine impressed with Jeff Young skill who transcribed all Chris Poland's part within half hour, and dismissed the guitarist he actually hired at that time in favor to Jeff Young. Jeff later recorded So Far So Good So What? In 2009 Jeff Young for first time posted online about Megadeth. He rebute what Dave Mustaine reportedly told on how Jeff's solo was created. 


Marty Friedman - The pinnacle success of Megadeth and stayed with Mustaine for ten years 1989 to 2000. Marty Friedman was in his solo career previously and as duet guitarist with Jason Becker in Cacophony. Marty was already a rising star with his Dragon Kiss solo album. He auditioned for Dave and accepted. The only drama was Dave didn't like Marty's hair style and decided to transform Marty into more thrash looking guy.


Following Megadeth success in 1990s , Megadeth later distracted from thrash metal and went into obscure album Risk. On this point, Marty Friedman already felt in love with his new age / Japanese influence style and retreat from Megadeth. After this point, Marty was never again in thrash scene and produce more experimental solo instrumental album.


Al Pitrelli - Come in as replacement was Allan Pitrelli. Al who already technically high skill player of Savatage and Trans Atlantic Orchestra come in as rescue. Al Pitrelli help Mustaine recorded The World Needs A Hero. Al Pitrelli interpret of previous Megadeth catalog are recorded well in Rude Awakening live album and DVD. The report said Al Pitrelli was hired to play live and only got 15 minutes notice. Al perhaps the only guitarist not got "fired" because Megadeth later disbanded on his era.


Glen Drover - Glen Drover was then replace Al Pitrelli in 2004 until 2008. He was join with drummer Shawn Drover. Glen previously a King Diamond guitarist. In 2008 Glen retreated from the band to focus on family. Glen later recorded a solo album in 2011, Metalusion. He recorded United Abominations with Megadeth.


Chris Broderick - Highly skill guitarist, Chris Broderick later join Megadeth. He serve Megadeth from 2008 till today. Dave Mustaine was very happy with his "founding" and compare to Ozzy met Randy Rhoads. Chris portfolio was with Jag Panzer and Nevermore. His contribution defined Megadeth most shredding tune in Endgame and Th1rt3en album.


Then there are guitar players that crossed path with Megadeth. Imagine what will happen if history are replace by this event:


Lee Altus - from Heathen band. He was considered as replacement of Jeff Young but declined due to Megadeth high drug situation on that time. Lee is still active today, his portfolio included served as member of Exodus.


Eric Meyer - He, along Lee Altus, was once reported to auditioned for Jeff Young departure. Eric Meyer didn't join Megadeth but stay with his band Dark Angel. In the interview Eric Meyer once admitted he was not in comfortable feeling to join Megadeth. In this interview Jim Durkan and Eric Meyer also state they were once asked by Mustaine to help Megadeth in pre Chris Poland year.


Dimebag_Darrell - In this time Mustaine also talked to Dimebag Darrel. Dimebag was ready to join with only one cause, if he could bring along brother Vinnie Darrel as drummer. The history didn't went that way because Megadeth already hired Nick Menza. If Dimebag ever join Megadeth we probably never see Pantera and Rust in Peace will be different story to now. Even Mustaine exclaimed the imagination of "Dave, Junior (Ellefson), Dimebag and Vinnie doing together is Richer scale high"


Jeff Loomis - Another child prodigy came in Megadeth jamming room in Jeff Young audition era. Jeff was jamming together Mustaine "Wake Up Dead", "The Conjuring" and "In My Darkest Hour". After the jam Mustaine kindly told Jeff he was way too young to join Megadeth and praise Jeff's playing "you will be a good player in the future". Jeff Loomis later part of progressive metal act Nevermore. He was 16 in this story.


Jeff Waters - Of Annihilator fame. Jeff told a story that Mustaine once approched him to join in as Jeff Young replacement. But Jeff already leader in Annihilator and decline the offer. If ever happen Jeff Waters in  Megadeth we will not see Annihilator album Set the World in Fire and so on. Mustaine witnessed that he like Never, Neverland album. A Youtube video on Jeff Waters recalled the situation is available.

Slash - Would you imagine Slash join Megadeth in 1989 and we never got Use Your Illusion? There was actually a percentage of that happening because he was offered the job back then. Dave and Slash somehow developing a nice relationship. When Dave release "Endgame" Slash openly praise the album and Dave return the words by saying it was a honor Slash to like it.

So, that's all I can compiled here. I am sure there are plenty awesome guitarist to crossed path with Megadeth but can't have the valid online resource, if you happen to know interesting story on this topic just put in the comments.

Megadeth Th1rt3en (2011) Review

Megadeth Th1rt3en (2011) Album Review

When Megadeth or Dave Mustaine "finished" in 2002 after the albums alike Risk, nobody really hope that Megadeth will arise and teeth in until the 13rd number of studio album. We all prove wrong and glad it was. Megadeth Th1rt3en studio album is another try for the member of Big Four to extend their colonialization on the genre.

What excitement about Megadeth album is to see how well the 2nd (or soloist) guitarist put their flavour into Dave's composition. Th1rt3en is the second Megadeth recording for virtuoso guitarist Chris Broderick here. But the other big news to be expect from this album is, this is the first come back of David Ellefson on bass. So, again Megadeth success in convincing everyone to get the album just by seeing the line up alone.

Sudden Death started with a minute of brutal guitar blitz. Dave Mustaine jump in to the song as mature as his speech about war and politics. Public Enemy no.1 is the big song here. This song flows natural and sound very easy for Megadeth to just chop and scream yet another commercial track. Whose Life (Is It Anyway?) is rather new feel for Megadeth. Gone through some awesome middle track, Dave still put his crazyness a bit into the track Never Dead. Black Swan is the next highlight. Millenium of the Blind continue Megadeth tradition to give a thrash ballad track ala Blood of Heroes. Deadly Nightshade remind us to Risk era, and it all end up in 13.

What should be expect from this album. There really no serious weakness here. The song structure is patented to chop and chorus. Th1rt3en is probably the best of  Megadeth after their break up in 2002. The band also actively touring with fellow Metallica and other Big Four. Dave Mustaine connection to the Metallica guys are now their biggest asset. A video of Dave Mustaine and Metallica performing "Phantom Lord" on Metallica 30th Anniversary is an historic end to their rivalry (link here).

come and get Th1rt3en from Amazon now.

01. Sudden Death
02. Public Enemy No. 1
03. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
04. We The People
05. Guns, Drugs & Money
06. Never Dead
07. New World Order
08. Fast Lane
09. Black Swan
10. Wrecker
11. Millennium Of The Blind
12. Deadly Nightshade
13. 13

Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, lead, rhythm
Chris Broderick – lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Dave Ellefson – bass guitar
Shawn Drover – drums

Megadeth Th1rt3en (2011)

Big brother Dave Mustaine will soon put a new album for year 2011. The 13th studio album, named Th1rt3en, going to be released on 1st Nov 2011. Dave will backed by old buddy David Ellefson, the first reunion since The World Needs a Hero from year 2000.

Dave disregard the bad omen of number 13 and this albums give 13 songs on it:
Full review HERE

buy from Amazon here.

Megadeth - Th1rt3en
 1. "Sudden Death"   Dave Mustaine
 2. "Public Enemy No. 1"    
 3. "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)"    
 4. "We the People"    
 5. "Guns, Drugs & Money"    
 6. "Never Dead"    
 7. "New World Order"   Mustaine, Dave Ellefson, Marty Friedman, Nick Menza
 8. "Fast Lane"    
 9. "Black Swan"   Mustaine
 10. "Wrecker"    
 11. "Millennium of the Blind"   Mustaine, Friedman
 12. "Deadly Nightshade"    
 13. "13"  

As per 1st October, two songs, Public Enemy and Never Dead had been released to public for hearing and there were streaming on the net (google it). Notice Marty and Menza on the writers note.... going to be awesome album!

Graphic Designs for Th1rt3en album and vinyl!

My review for this album here... after listened to it for 4 months!