With a new lineup and reinvigorated heavy sound, Megadeth unleashes their new album Dystopia!
Impressions/Thoughts:
With a new guitarist and drummer, the new line up of Megadeth head towards the heavier side
of their music. To fans that have longed for an album like their masterpiece Rust in Peace, they should be satisfied
with Dystopia. The key word is
satisfied, while the album is good it’s nowhere near the masterpiece of their
former albums. But that’s not to say that they took a step in the wrong
direction. To the contrary I believe they are going where they need to be.
Dystopia is not
the kind of album where you can take only one listen and get the whole
understanding of the album. It’s a grower, as in the album grows on you upon
each listen. It took me till about the fourth listen to get the real greatness
of the record. And that is okay. Because I would rather have an album that
grows on me than an album full lifelessness.
One of the great things that I liked after the release of
this album is that they have a short video series where Dave Mustaine would go track by track talking about the lyrical
themes and the interesting instrumental elements present in each song.
The Music:
Because I have the iTunes version, I will list that track
listing.
1) The Threat Is Real
is the opening track and the second single of the album. As far as the song
goes it’s the strongest on the record.
2) Dystopia The title
track and it stands out from the previous track with a sound I find more like
something from their album The System Has
Failed. But with the soloing, it is a standout track allowing lead
guitarist Kiko Loureiro to shine.
3) Fatal Illusion
is the first single from the album. As a single and a first taste of the album,
I was skeptical but overall it’s a very strong track and emphasizes the heaviness
of the album overall.
4) Death From Within segues
from the previous track and continues with the heaviness theme. I really like
the chorus and the musical bridges right before the chorus. It really hooks you
in to re-listen to this song.
5) Bullet to the
Brain From the start of this song, it starts slowly which is a change up
from the previous songs. The melody of the lyrics flows so well with the riff, it’s
just one of those songs that becomes really memorable with the chorus and riff.
6) Post-American
World I felt this song fits well ensnaring our senses to a very
straightforward and heavy song. While some may think that would be a bad thing,
this song has all the solos and lyrical content that can keep you captivated.
7) Poisonous Shadows
Besides the first three tracks which I find to be the best of the whole album,
this is a gem and one of my favorite songs on the album. It continues with more
Arabic singing that was in The Threat is Real and comes into its own.
8) Look Who’s Talking
(Bonus Track) It’s another good song and even though it’s a bonus track, I
find it’s a really good fit for the album. My favorite lyric from the song is “The
dogs who bark the loudest, are the dogs who have no teeth.”
9) Conquer… or Die!
Is an instrumental that reminds me of their song “Good Morning / Black Friday”,
in the sense that there are two parts to the song. It starts with an acoustic
part which isn’t warm but has a tense eeriness to it. Then it shifts into the
second part which is very thrashy. Again I draw parallels to the other song
Black Friday.
10) Lying In State
is what the previous song leads into. Lyrically it has two meanings: 1) The
tradition in which the body of a respected person is laid to rest in an
official state building, either in open casket or closed casket, to allow the
public at large to pay their respects. 2) That politicians and others in positions
of power tell lies. Lying In State
has a great crunching riff that just really leads itself off for the previous
track.
11) The Emperor is
where the album starts to show some cracks in the album. The song itself is okay
but compared to the previous song, it just isn’t as good.
12) Last Dying Wish
(Bonus Track) is a song that reminds me of the songwriting from their album
Endgame. If you like the song Endgame like myself, then this is a
treat. But after this song is where I find the album starts dipping down.
13) Foreign Policy
a cover song of the band Fear. While
I can’t really testify as to whether it’s a good cover, the merits of the song
itself really show. The song fits in lyrically and thematically on Dystopia but I find it to be
lackluster.
Verdict:
I feel as if they put out the standout tracks of the album
as the singles: The Threat is Real, Dystopia and Fatal Illusion. Which also
happen to be the first three tracks. The soloing and overall songwriting is
superb.
But nearing the end of the album it starts to grow pretty
weak. I find that the cover of Foreign Policy, lyrically fits with the rest of
the album, but as far as the song is, it is the weakest of the bunch.
Now there was a cover of the Bungie song “Melt the Ice
Away”, that I find much better than Foreign Policy. But even though you can
find it on YouTube, it was released exclusively for Spotify. I hate it when
they put tracks on a specific platform or in exclusive editions, because I want
it all. I don’t want to have to look it up on YouTube or have to buy a specific
edition from another country just to get some more bonus tracks. But this issue
is for another time.
Ultimately, I believe that Dystopia is this a good album. But how does it compare to the rest
of their albums? I say that it’s their best in years and I am proud to have it
in my collection.
My Favorite Songs:
1) The Threat Is Real
2) Fatal Illusion
3) Poisonous Shadows
4) Dystopia
5) Bullet to the Brain
Overall a good album but with some flaws. Here’s hoping that
in their next effort, whenever that happens, that they do even better. If I had
to rate it I’d give it a solid 8/10, which to me is a must buy.
