- Country: USA
- Style: Thrash metal
- Label: Tradecraft / UMe
- Release date: 2 September 2022
Six years after Dystopia, Megadeth’s sixteenth studio album finally landed, and it sounds like a band with something to prove again. Dave Mustaine co-produced it with Chris Rakestraw, Dirk Verbeuren is behind the kit, and Steve Di Giorgio handled bass after David Ellefson’s exit. None of that turbulence shows in the music. This is tight, mean, riff-first thrash with Kiko Loureiro’s leads slicing through every other bar.
The title track opens with a sinister march before the tempo snaps, and “Dogs of Chernobyl” is the album’s slow-burning centrepiece, moody and patient until the solos take over. “Night Stalkers” brings Ice-T in for a guest turn that works far better than it has any right to. “Soldier On!” has one of those chorus hooks Mustaine still writes in his sleep.
Not everything hits. “Junkie” and “Célebutante” feel like filler next to the heavyweights. But closer “We’ll Be Back” is pure speed and spite, the kind of track that makes you forget the band has been at this for the best part of four decades.
Best tracks:
Dogs of Chernobyl
Night Stalkers
Soldier On!
We’ll Be Back
Author’s rating: 8.4/10
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