30 years later, I’m still a hardcore Megadeth fan. And although it’s not the popular opinion, I prefer them to Metallica (no matter how you look at it, Dave Mustaine is responsible for most of Kill ‘Em All).
From my own personal experience and conversations, I think a lot of people checked out on Megadeth after the 2007 United Abominations. It wasn’t the best of albums, and I found both Endgame and Thirteen (sans a few great songs) equally disappointing.
The 2013 Super Collider revitalized my love for Megadeth, and returned the band to their melodic years Mustaine and Dave Ellefson shared with guitarist Marty Friedman (Rust in Piece – Risk). It’s worth a listen if you’re a fan who gave up on them.
With that, Mustaine quickly went back into the studio to explore the idea of “loss” and being grateful for the time you have left on Earth. Embarking on the forthcoming 15th studio album (holy shit), Megadeth is about to unleash the beast onto the world. The new album, Dystopia, releasing January 22, 2016, is said to be a return to their roots, a thrash album at its core. The single, “Fatal Illusion,” dropped today, and holy hell is it badass.
“There’s a lot of riffing going on in there, that’s for damn sure,” Mustaine told Revolver in regards to the new album. “There’s a lot of solos, a lot of pounding drums and bass. I knew from the start that I wanted to go back to my roots, and I wanted to make a thrash record.”
Keep at the official website for surprises leading up to the release.
Thrash metal genre pioneers MEGADETH will kick off the new year with the release of their 15th studio album Dystopia on Universal Music Enterprises /Tradecraft / T-Boy Records on January 22, 2016.
With musical architect and band visionary Dave Mustaine at the helm, Dystopia was recorded in Nashville, TN, and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Avenged Sevenfold).
The rest of the MEGADETH lineup is comprised of David “Junior” Ellefson on bass, new member Kiko Loureiro (formerly of Angra) on guitar, and drummer Chris Adler, who took time away from Lamb of God to record Dystopia. The result marks a true return to form, adding new blood and injecting a new burst of creative energy into the new album.
“There’s an excitement right now that I haven’t felt for a really long time,” exclaims Dave Mustaine.
Featuring 11 brand new tracks, Dystopia will be released on both CD and LP, as well as digitally through all online partners. “Fatal Illusion” is the first track released from the album, listen above.
Dystopia weaves together Dave Mustaine’s intricate and unique songwriting style, trademark leads and lightning riffs with harmonious precision, paying homage to MEGADETH’s influential roots while continuing to break new and heavy ground.
MEGADETH burst onto the scene thirty years ago, virtually inventing a genre with their debut album Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! (recently recognized by VH1 as the Greatest Thrash Metal Debut Album of All Time) sold more than 38 million albums worldwide, earning numerous accolades including 11 Grammy® nominations, scoring five consecutive platinum albums—including 1992’s two-million-selling Countdown to Extinction.
TRACK LISTING:
1. The Threat Is Real
2. Dystopia
3. Fatal Illusion
4. Death From Within
5. Bullet To The Brain
6. Post American World
7. Poisonous Shadows
8. Conquer or Die!
9. Lying In State
10. The Emperor
11. Foreign Policy
