Simon RushworthMegadeth – Dystopia (T-Boy Records)
Genre: Thrash Metal
In recent years Metallica’s lack of focus, questionable artistic direction and increasingly predictable live shows have served to shift the focus firmly towards their Big Four peers.
And to a man the various members of Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer have stepped up to the plate – delivering some of the best music of their careers.
They might be the biggest of thrash metal’s celebrated quartet but Metallica are increasingly the least interesting.
Right now Megadeth are the most fascinating of the four.
Dystopia offers further proof that Dave Mustaine has rediscovered his mojo and revamped the perfect platform for his sneering, cutting and increasingly prophetic comment on modern/future society.
The riffs are huge, the vocals are reassuringly sure-footed and the lyrical content is deeply immersive. Opener The Threat Is Real kicks things off in foreboding fashion before the title track develops a disturbingly tense theme.
Mustaine was made for striking fear into the masses – his overtly evil take on classic Alice Cooper creating a genuine sense of alarm. Lying In State’s canny play on words might raise a smile – if it wasn’t so deadly serious.
This is Megadeth at their biting, bullying best.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 9/10 Dys-respect