Megadeth-The System Has Failed (2004)

Megadeth-The System Has Failed (2004)

“Megadeth is a legend, and I'm not gonna cheapen it like some of these bands that keep going long after they should.”

Dave Mustaine

By: Ghost Writer

Issued in 2004, The System Has Failed is definitely a praise worthy record, of course, it isn't Rust in Peace, my favorite record from the band that they performed wonderfully live in 1990 in my hometown, but I guess is the record Dave Mustaine always wanted to make at a precise moment, one that allowed him to beat the hell out of Metallica (his former band in case you didn’t know it) in their own game, it's the comeback album that Metallica has never been in able to make, one that permitted the band a glorious return to their true heavy roots and recovered Megadeth's reputation as ambassadors of Speed Metal, the one record that up to this day Metallica hasn't been able to produce on their own, and it's not about hiding behind Lou Reed legendary misfit status or Rick Rubin super human ability to bring bands back to their roots.

Beginning with the wonderful Blackmail the Universe the band makes no shy use of a hyper crunchy guitars that remind me immediately of the Death n Roll attack of the mighty Swedish band Entombed, the sound of the band shows the streamlined direction that they adopted after Countdown to Extinction, gone is the expansive ambition of Rust in Peace, but Mustaine seems more determine to recreate the atmosphere of a more obscure record like the dark Peace Sells..., rather than Rust..., and he is on the right route re recruiting the guitar wizardry of the amazing Chris Poland and also adding a more menacing growl to his vocals, that ultimately targets that of archrival James Hetfield.

The System Has Failed in a way is that dreamed Dave Mustaine´s solo record as the extended use of studio musicians  like drum ace Vinnie Colaiuta and the fore mentioned Poland, and is the first record not to included founding member Dave Ellefson, at the beginning it was a Mustaine attempt to bring back Rust in Peace´s successful line up, but after reunion attempts failed and business fights and old disagreements surfaced, Mustaine was stuck only with session musicians but with very impressive results like in the more melodic Die Dead Enough, were Poland's more melodic approach is felt heavy in some moments, Mustaine is lethal behind an impeccable vocal line catchier than anything he has sung before, featuring also an amazing marauding guitar that suits perfectly the tune.

Buzz saw guitars attack again on the angry Kick the Chair, featuring a very amusing interplay between drums and bass, and very precise Mustaine rhythm guitar playing, making Mustaine the Speed Metal equivalent of AC/DC's Malcom Young, and if that wasn't enough, the guitar duel between Poland and Mustaine is simply startling.

On the other side, The Scorpion is unashamedly heavy pop, radio friendly and accessible as few, but the bands kick back into action with the melodically slow burner Tears in a Vial, featuring galloping guitars along very inspired passionate soloing, but one of the true highlight of the records comes in Back in the Day, with a killing performance by Mustaine perfectly backed by a razor sharp band.

                                                              

The System has Failed is a near perfect record, a long time awaited return of Mustaine to his most venomous condition and at the top of the game once again, demonstrating that more than an eternal antagonist, or heavy metal's Johnny Rotten, he is the legendary figure of people´s nightmares, a monumental heavy music figure as troubled as our own Alice Cooper, but equally as venomous and lethal, and just as the good Alice, with more lives than a cat, so you can't never count Mustaine out.