United Abominations

[P-Man]

So I bought Megadeth's new album, and HOLY SHIT!

It's Megadeth that actually sounds like Megadeth! I am impressed. It really does sound like it could have been the follow up to Rust in Peace.

That being said, it's not a great album, but I don't mind. An average Megadeth album that actually sounds like Megadeth is leagues better than that crap that's been released under the Megadeth name for the past 15 years.

Gears of War is the standout track, and in my opinion stands right up there with the best songs they've ever done. A Toute le Monde is the biggest disapointment. If this is the best Dave could do with the song he should have just been happy with the Youthanasia version.

Anybody else bought this album?

[stealthwise]

I agree, for the most part. The album is deliberately political, and the lyrics are sometimes cheesey and give the music a cartoony feel, but it's definitely Megadeth-y.

I much prefer The System Has Failed though, for the most part.

[sythspawn]

The band's best days are behind it, there's no doubt about that, but at least Dave sounds like he's angry again. A happy Dave= a crappy Megadeth. Plus, it's better than Risk.

[cactusmaac]

Good album although it will need a few listens to really sink in and I've yet to play it really LOUD and driving VERY fast.

The remake of A Tout Le Monde seems a bit pointless though. Washington Is Next is f*****g awesome.

I'll be seeing them in London in June when they play the Astoria.

[DonC]

Megadeth has fallen into the AC/DC mold: They're playing variations on the same song over and over. How many songs can Dave write about how much America sucks, but if you try anything against us we'll blow your ass to Kingdom Come? That's all their last three CDs have been.

Don't get me wrong, there are some cool tracks on this album ("Amerikhastan" is my current favorite), but it also felt like been there, done that. A lot of people hate Risk but I dig it just because it was Dave trying something different.

[Rusty Cage]

A lot of people hate Risk but I dig it just because it was Dave trying something different.

Wow, it's great to hear that someone else thinks that. Whenever I talk to a fan and say anything remotely positive about Risk, it's like I insulted 3 generations of women from their family. It's far from my favorite Megadeth record, but I'd take it over the warmed-over metal of TWNAH anyday. In its own way, Prince of Darkness is one of the heaviest Megadeth songs ever. I love it. Breadline has such a great melody, and The Doctor is Calling has a killer riff.

But getting back on topic, I have mixed feelings about United Abominations so far. It gets off to a killer start with Sleepwalker and Washington is Next!, but I find the rest of the songs. with the possible exception of Amerikhastan, to be boring. There just aren't the memorable riffs, and every song seems to be in the same tempo, so none of them really stand out. I know the days of Megadeth as a thrash/speed band have long passed, and I'm cool with that, but give me a little more diversity like on Countdown to Extinction, Cryptic Writings and even The System Has Failed. On those records, even if you don't like every song, each has its own identity...on Abominations, I feel like I'm listening to the same song over & over again. I like the remake of A Tout le Monde, but it just doesn't belong on this CD. And man, is the chorus to the title track bad.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad CD by any means, but I do have very high standards for Mustaine. Some of the songs could still grow on me, but I don't feel a tremendous amount of motivation to listen to it over and over again. I guess even great artists only have so many good songs in them, and maybe I'm a little burned out myself after to listening to the band for over 20 years.

[Rusty Cage]

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[Rusty Cage]

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[Rusty Cage]

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[TinMan]

I'm really digging this album. Simply put, it's right up my alley and it's a solid effort. There are some great riffs on this thing and I am not dissapointed in it at all. It's been awhile since I've bought an album that I was completely happy with and wanted to listen to repeatedly, but this is definitely one of those.

[PanzerMega]

I've listened to the album a few times, and so far it hasn't really hooked me. Washington Is Next is pretty good, but the rest of it is kinda boring me. I'll keep listening to it and see if it grows on me, but so far I think I liked The System Has Failed better.

Also, I've been listening to Megadeth for like 15 years, and every couple of years a new Megadeth album comes out and people say it's "like the follow-up to Rust In Peace".

Just because it's heavy doesn't make it Rust In Peace.

[P-Man]

Just because it's heavy doesn't make it Rust In Peace.

I never said it was Rust in Peace. I think Rust in Peace is a FAR better album. Damnit though, it does sound like a Peace Sells/Rust in Peace/Countdown to Extinction era Megadeth album, and it doesn't have anything to do with "heaviness". The whole style of the album fits in with that era. I'd say the sound is somewhere between Rust and Countdown, specifically.

Seriously, isn't about quality and it isn't about heaviness, this album just sounds more like late 80s/early 90s era Megadeth.

[PanzerMega]

I never said it was Rust in Peace. I think Rust in Peace is a FAR better album. Damnit though, it does sound like a Peace Sells/Rust in Peace/Countdown to Extinction era Megadeth album, and it doesn't have anything to do with "heaviness". The whole style of the album fits in with that era. I'd say the sound is somewhere between Rust and Countdown, specifically.

Seriously, isn't about quality and it isn't about heaviness, this album just sounds more like late 80s/early 90s era Megadeth.

Oh, sorry man, I didn't mean you specifically. I've been haunting Megadeth boards forever, and have seen every album since Cryptic came out described as sounding like "the next Rust In Peace". Even Risk!

You're right though, the style of United Abominations seems to be a lot more early 90s Deth, although I don't think the quality's anywhere near.

[4thHorseman]

Eh, I'm still not sold that this is a decent album. I would give it 6/10. Washington is Next... is by far my favorite, but it sounds like too much filler and leftover stuff from The System has Failed...