You blew it right out the gate

No #5 and two #2's, way to go

1. Last Rites/Loved To Death-four
2. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good-three
3. The Skull Beneath The Skin-one
4. Rattlehead-five
5. Chosen Ones-six
6. Looking Down the Cross-seven
7. Mechanix-two
8. These Boots-eight

all songs including the piano intro are "10" 's to me.

1.) Rattlehead

2.) Looking Down the Cross

3.) The Chosen Ones

4.) Skull Beneath the Skin

5.) Mechanix

6.) These Boots

7.) Killing is My Business

8.) Last Rites/Loved to Death

The title track itself is a masterpiece! The technicality of each instrument really shines through despite the horrid production. As for the lyrics, forget about conspiracy theories and social injustices that are a current staple in Megadeth songs, this is straightforward, in-your-face, typical metal aggression.

1.) Killing is my Business
2.) Rattlehead
3.) Looking Down The Cross
4.) Last Rites/Loved You To Deth
5.) Skull Beneath The Skin
6.) Mechanix
7.) The Chosen Ones
8.) These Boots

Not a big fan of the cover, not to say that it ain't good, it just kinda loses its novelty after a few spins (the remastered version of "These Boots" is horrible).

Update on the average song position ranking through 4 posts


1. Last Rites/Loved To Death (4.75) 5th/Tied
2. Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good (4.0) 4th
3. The Skull Beneath The Skin (2.75) 1st
4. Rattlehead (3.0) 2nd
5. Chosen Ones (5.5) 7th
6. Looking Down the Cross (4.75) 5th/Tied
7. Mechanix (3.75) 3rd
8. These Boots (7.5) 8th

It would be cool to see other people give their input, as a system like this is much a better indicator then that of a poll, which is usually top heavy regarding the percentages.

Ok, before I actually jump into the review, sorry for the looong wait on this one. The reason being I wasn't in the mood for it the first few times I spun it and I kept snapping it off before I could make it all the way through. I just jammed it again this morning though, and I dig it.


Thirteen (2011)
1. Sudden Death
2. Public Enemy No. 1
3. Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
4. We The People
5. Guns, Drugs & Money
6. Never Dead
7. New World Order
8. Fast Lane
9. Black Swan
10. Wrecker
11. Milllennium Of The Blind
12. Deadly Nightshade
13. Thirteen

Well, for their cleverly named 13th album, Megadeth turns out a pretty strong one. Ellefson has returned to the fold for the first time since 2001's The World Needs A Hero and helps return the band to their more classic dethly sound. Played in the vein of Countdown To Extinction era mixed with some Rust In Piece and more modern albums, this record thrashes it up pretty well while mixing it in with some radio friendly type melody. Dave throws out some awesome riffs as usual (and very memorable ones at that) and the album is peppered with great solos, although Broderick's constant sweep picking can get tiring after awhile. The grooves are solid Ellefson chugs along the way he does best, and Drover's drumming is pretty solid overall. Songwise, there's some instant Deth classics right off the bat here that will get stuck in your head for days in the form of, "Sudden Death", "Public Enemy No. 1", "Never Dead" and "Whose Life Is It Anyways?". The three re-workings of old tracks are also excellent (though, I would much prefer Friedman and Menza playing on them) with "New World Order", "Millennium Of The Blind" (which is also their best "ballad" in many years), and "Black Swan" sounding right in step with the rest of the record, and dare I say quite possibly the best versions of each. "Deadly Nightshade", and "We The People" are pretty killer as well. Lyrically, Mustaine still spews great venom politically and personal hurt wise, showing that even though his creed may of changed he can still rip it up.

There's only really a few gripes to have with this record, first Mustaine's voice is WAY too high in the mix, to the point where it's pretty damn annoying. I realize it's his band, but that really should've been toned down before this went to press. Another problem stems in the fact that this album is really formulaic songwriting wise, which makes a few tracks come off really boring and just sort of "there" as opposed to making any real impact (Drugs, Guns & Money, Fast Lane, and the title track are pretty good examples). Lastly, a couple tracks feel overly long to accomadate too many solos (Sudden Death) or boring intros (Never Dead).

Overall, a really solid Megadeth album worth owning with some killer tracks.