MEGADETH The System Has Failed CD Sanctuary thrash metal

Description: Megadeth – The System Has Failed CD Label/Cat#: Sanctuary – 06076-84708-2Country: USGenre: RockStyle: Hard Rock, Speed Metal, ThrashFormat: CD, Album, Reissue Tracklist1. Blackmail The Universe (04:33)2. Die Dead Enough (04:18)3. Kick The Chair (03:57)4. The Scorpion (05:59)5. Tears In A Vial (05:21)6. I Know Jack (00:40)7. Back In The Day (03:27)8. Something That I'm Not (05:07)9. Truth Be Told (05:40)10. Of Mice And Men (04:04)11. Shadow Of Deth (02:15)12. My Kingdom (03:03) Total length: 48:24 <>Used. Disc has no marks. Jewel case has moderate wear. <>The System Has Failed is not even close to a failure. In fact, it provides all the necessary ingredients for a solid comeback. Coming off their 2nd worst album (according to me), The World Needs a Hero, as well as a 2-year hiatus due to Mustaine's arm disability, a new Megadeth album seemed a bit of an ominous prospect. Moreover, there's no David Ellefson, and the two new guys are gone. Even Chris Poland, a former member, was only brought back as a session musician for solos, alongside a few other rather impressive picks, like Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Many have called this a Dave Mustaine solo album, and while it is somewhat more of a personal affair, I wouldn't go that far. On one hand, it was made due to contractual obligations with Sanctuary Records, but it still looks like a Megadeth and quacks like a Megadeth, so I don't really see much justification for not calling it Megadeth. Cryptic Writings was billed as a compilation of different Megadeth eras, (which it pretty much wasn't). Ironically, the System Has Failed succeeds where Cryptic Writings couldn't, without even trying! Thrashy cuts like Blackmail the Universe bring to mind Rust in Peace and Peace Sells, speed metal a la the pre-Peace Sells days can be heard during Back in the Day, and fans of Countdown/Youthanasia can surely find merit in tracks like The Scorpion and Die Dead Enough. This album displays far more of Megadeth's versatility than the past 3 albums could ever hope to. It's not without faults (which we will get to) but I think it's by far the best album they released under Sanctuary. I have basically no qualms about the first half of the album, but it's worth a quick analysis. The sequencing of the A-side is quite meticulous and utterly effective, with thrashy cuts properly interspersed alongside midpaced material. For an album with such a political cover and name, there are pretty much only 2 songs about that subject, and they're both here in the first half (and also they're some of the album's strongest). Kick the Chair, which is essentially the title track, brings to mind Take No Prisoners especially, but stands on its own as a thoroughly enjoyable thrashy modern Megadeth song with great solos. Blackmail the Universe is another thrashy cut, an anti war song about the potential apocalyptic consequences of putting one's faith in shifty governers. Hold on a sec, anti-war and anti-injustice themes on a modern Megadeth release? Handled maturely, without insufferable Alex Jones cocksucking? Nice! Further highlights include the most personal and ballad-like track on the album, Tears in a Vial, detailing Mustaine's estranged/turbulent relationship with music during the band's hiatus, using metaphors about an ex lover. This is the first track where I noticed that Chris Poland isn't really giving it his all, but I don't blame him for not being so enthusiastic about playing guitar with the guy who pretty much ended his metal career. The Scorpion, which is based on the Persian fable (later adapted into the more famous Russian version), is another great track on this album, and perhaps its most experimental one. Interesting production choices, sinister vibes, catchy hooks, it's got it all. So it's all sunshine and roses right? Megadeth is back, baby! Not so fast. My views have softened on the B-side over the years, but it really sticks out as lesser material when compared to the previous half. It starts out promisingly with the NWOBHM-infused Back in the Day and the sneering, hatred-fueled Something That I'm Not, implying a continuation of the great sequencing of the A side, but it just drops the ball so hard with the meh Christian and self-aggrandizing songs (yes, Christian songs...on a Megadeth album). Of these, Truth Be Told stands out as better than the rest, with a convincing switch to thrash in its last few minutes. But boring, midpaced trash like My Kingdom and Shadow of Deth (since when is Vic Rattlehead Australian, and/or a Bible thumper?) can be put straight in the bin alongside needless instrumental I Know Jack (which is not terrible, but has no reason to exist). In reality, these songs are not much worse than the fillers from Cryptic Writings, but at least those songs didn't force religion and autobiographical milestones (which nobody but Mustaine cares about) down your throat. The System Has Failed definitely has the makings of a great release, but biffs it more and more as it gets closer to the finish line. Regardless, I still like it, and I think it deserves a fair reappraisal, especially since it was meant to be the band's swansong at one point. Chris Poland isn't at his best here, but even baseline Chris Poland is damn fine for any release, and Mustaine's solos are back with a vengeance so there is a nice balance. The production is a little weird, so this is pretty much the only time I'd recommend opting for a 2019 Megadeth remaster, since it actually adds a lot more clarity and punch to the mix. If nothing else, The System Has Failed shows that Megadeth still had something going for it, and while the quality has been hit-or-miss since the band's reactivation, I'll always enjoy this pretty great collage of the band's classic eras. - Metal Archives ____________________________________________________ If you purchase multiple items, use Ebay's shopping cart - I use their shipping calculator to calculate postage. See the About page of the store for more details.

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End Time: 2024-08-31T00:44:57.000Z

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