(2016) Megadeth - Dystopia

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So I was looking at my sources website for an album to review this week and I was going to do the new Panic At The Disco album. It was ok, but then I checked one last time and found out that Megadeth's Dystopia had just leaked. Now, I figured, it had been awhile since I heard one of their albums and it would be nice to hear something from them. The last album I heard from them had the song "Crush Em" on it and it turned me off so much that I haven't listened to anything until now. THIS album was EXTREMELY hard to get my hands on, but as always, I GOT IT! So here we go... I present to you, Megadeth's, "Dystopia".

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Track 1 - The Threat Is Real

My first impression of this album, comes from the cover artwork. IT IS AWESOME! That aside, the first track starts of with what appears to be an arabian woman singing. That is immediately followed by sheer awesomeness! You can definitely hear that Mr. Mustaine has aged. That doesn't however take anything away from how great he is as a musician. There is lots of shredding on this track and it sets a great tone for what should be a great album from an all-time great band! I haven't heard anything this good from them in a long time. Needless to say, I am excited!

4/5

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Track 2 - Dystopia

This is easily my favorite track so far. The intro almost sounds like a heavy metal version of something from an old NES game like "Ninja Gaiden". It has a super pumpy, driving kinda feel to it. This is setting up to be an epic album. His lyrics thus far have been great at complementing the album's name. He really has a great grasp on what is going on in the world today. There is a ton of shredding on this album! The outro for this song is AMAZING! I would say they sound a LOT like "Avenged Sevenfold" but it actually is the other way around. Fans of them will absolutely LOVE this album. It has been great so far!

4/5

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Track 3 - Fatal Illusion

This is the first song that i'm somewhat disappointed in. It just feels different than the other songs. The bass line towards the beginning is fucking awesome though! Other than that though, this song isn't near as good as the first 2 songs were. I'm not as impressed. This is the kind of song that made me quit listening to them in the first place. This one sounds like it was rushed. Not horrible, but not as good.

2.5/5

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Track 4 - Death From Within

The intro is interesting so far. This song sounds a little better than the previous but it seems like this album could take a turn for the worst quickly. It's too much of the same and the background vocals on the chorus just don't do it for me. The guitar solo however, saves this song from being another sub-par track. The guitars on this album have been wonderful so far.

3/5

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Track 5 - Bullet To The Brain

This song starts with a very relaxing acoustic guitar riff. That is very short-lived though. When the song comes thundering in, it demands attention and brings them back on track! I am happy this one doesn't suck. After the last 2 tracks, I was really starting to doubt them again. This song is pretty good and like Meatloaf said, 3/5 ain't bad, or was that another fraction?

3.5/5

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Track 6 - Post American World

This song took a couple of listens to completely absorb just how amazingly epic it is. This almost sounds like something from COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION!!! This song really made me happy. This is easily the BEST track so far on this album! Just the lyric, "If you don't like where we're going, then you won't like what's coming next". Says something about the world we're living in today and the road that all of us are going down without even knowing it. THIS SONG IS AMAZING! THE BEST SONG OF 2016 SO FAR! PERIOD.

5/5

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Track 7 - Poisonous Shadows

Another acoustic laced intro that is short lived. This song is pretty damn good. It's not the last track, but it holds it's own just fine. The guitar work on this album has been simply beautiful! The chorus on this track is great! I really am beginning to love this album. Aside from the two dud songs this album has been as EPIC as I expected it to be.

4/5

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Track 8 - Conquer Or Die

OMFG. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE MEGADETH SONG. It makes me feel like i'm ten years old all over again and playing Castlevania 2 on the NES with my brother blaring Megadeth in the other room! This is one of the most EPIC instrumental songs i've ever heard! It has a very strong tinge of "Simon Belmont" to it and if you know what i'm talking about then you deserve a, "hell yeah"! This album is quickly rivaling, "Countdown To Extinction". Yeah, I said it.

5/5

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Track 9 - Lying In State

This album is easily going to get 4 out of 5 star reviews across the board. I have really enjoyed listening to and reviewing it so far. This song is no exception. "Hell is turning itself inside out, to lead his path of the fears and we deliberately take a step, one foot closer to the grave". Dave's lyrics on this album have really chimed in to what is going on in the world today. He really hit the nail on the head this time.

4/5

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Track 10 - The Emperor

This song has a loud, thumping intro. They really outdid themselves on this album. They should call it quits after this cause it's going to be hard to match the success they should achieve with this album. If this is their "swan song" album than they have left us with a clear cut warning to get ready for the inevitable. This album fucking ROCKS.

4/5

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Track 11 - Foreign Policy (Fear Cover)

The last song they put on this album was a cover from a band called, "Fear". I have never heard of them so momentarily I am listening to their version before I check out Megadeth's version so I have a basis for comparison. It's not bad, very early 80's punk. Now onto the Megadeth cover of it... Definitely wayyyyy heavier than Fears version of it. Not nearly as punk. But equally as good! A good choice for them to close out an EPIC album with. This album falls just a hair under "Countdown To Extinction" as my favorite Megadeth album.

4/5

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Overall - 43/55

So far, this is EASILY the best album i've reviewed this year. An INSTANT classic, this will be a contender for rock album of the year. It's dark and gloomy with a side of thrash. I loved it! Willowbee out.