Album Review: Megadeth--Endgame

"It's like death, but really mega!" (attributed to Dave Mustaine)

Dave Mustaine and Megadeth complete their comeback (and a speed-metal trilogy of sorts) with Endgame a record that finds the current 'Deth lineup in excellent form. Dave Mustaine still snarls when he should sing, but there is no doubting his emotional commitment. With its laser-precise guitar displays, whip-neck tempos and dizzying time changes, this is a solid record and the band's best effort since the classic Countdown to Extinction.

Endgame the sound of a band that has found its groove again. The quartet meshes beautifully while making some wonderfully ugly noises. This is guitarist Chris Broderick's first album duelling with Mustaine, and the two players trade off leads and rhythm work with astonishing skill. Bassist James Lomenzo provides a solid bottom end, which may lead listeners to wonder what he was doing in White Lion for so many years. And Shawn Drover's tasty, powerful drumming underpins the whole affair. His technical playing verges on the progressive.

Opening instrumental "Didactic Chaos" sets the tone, and leads into the rousing "This Day We Fight", inspired by Viggo Mortensen's speech in The Return of the King. Other songs delve into the world of funny-car racing ("1,320'") and "44 Minutes," a chilling, documenaty look at a bank robbery. The title track mines Bush-induced paranoia to great effect. A stentorian riff is accompanied by grim announcements of secret government programs and a threat to round up American citizens and place them in internment camps. Yikes!

The worst track (and best title) is the medieval torture-meets Saw fantasy "Head Crusher." The best track (and worst title) is "The Hardest Part of Letting Go…Sealed With a Kiss" It's a solid ballad--heavy, radio-friendly and better than anything that other M-band has put out in twenty years. Album finale "The Right to Go Insane" deals with America's 2008 economic collapse, with devastating effect. This is a brutally heavy, well executed record. In short, Endgame is 45 minutes of classic Megadeth.