Nice review, DC.

UA was a good follow up to TSHF. "Sleepwalker" was definitely the best tune on the album.

Endgame (September 15th, 2009)

1. Dialectic Chaos
2. This Day We Fight!
3. 44 Minutes
4. 1,320'
5. Bite The Hand
6. Bodies
7. Endgame
8. The Hardest Part Of Letting Go...Sealed With A Kiss
9. Head Crusher
10. How The Story Ends
11. The Right To Go Insane

Japenese bonus track:
12. Washington Is Next! (Live)

If United Abominations was a return to form, then Endgame is nothing short of coming full circle and reclaiming all of their former intensity. It's all here, Dave in fine voice (you can hear the sneer), lightning fast guitars, chugging bass, and skin pounding that compliments it all perfectly. Which makes for an awesome technical thrash album in league with the likes of Rust In Peace. Another plus here is the album quite plesantly leaves behind much of the ox manur typical of recent Deth firmly in the past. No dumbass spoken word interludes to detract from the songs, no re-makes, and anything that comes off even marginally like filler at least has some rad riffing and solos to make up for the fact that the song is slightly sub par (Bite The Hand for example). Despite being first and foremost a thrash album, theres also some good experimentation to be had here whether it be some of the more mid tempo tracks, or the appearance of another epic ballad in The Hardest Part Of Letting Go...

Much like RIP though, this is first and foremost a shredfest, which is more than welcome. The addition of Chris Broderick (Glen Drover left after the UA tour) lends even more strength to this with aggressive shredding riffs all over the place, and a myriad of face melting solos that bring to mind the Poland era quite nicely, while showing off Broderick's own talents. Dave gets off quite a few good ones during the duels on this record too, which is nothing short of refreshing. Despite this undoubtedly being Megadeth's strongest album in damn near 20 years, it does have a couple short comings. The main two being alot of the songs are derivative of others, and with so much emphasis put on the technical adeptness of the guitars sans hooks, the album takes a bit to sink in.

As for the songs themselves, we open with a riveting instrumental in Dialectic Chaos that segues perfectly into the classic This Day We Fight with its awesome thrash groove that recalls the opening combo of SFSGSW nicely. With some serious riffing highlights in 1,320', the instant Deth classic Head Crusher, the title track, the aforementioned ballad, and the excellent closer The Right To Go Insane. Which isn't to say the rest of the songs are bad, they just lack the grabbing hooks and memorability of other tracks. With the only other downside being the occasional runaway lyrical ramblings of sir Mustaine. Overall, without a doubt a classic album, and even skeptics should find something impressive about it.

If you listen to Endgame closely, you can hear Dave shooting a load all over this album. It's nothing more than a big ol' Mustaine wankfest, with too much of him and not enough of Megadeth. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but something just isn't there for me. It's a good thrash album with a few good tunes (I really like Head Crusher), but largely forgettable. Next to TSHF as my least favorite Deth record.

Endgame is my favorite post-Rust in Peace Megadeth album.

Great review man.

This album has a great feel to it. The solo's are all over the place, which is a very welcome addition. Not much more to say. It's in the top 5 of their whole catalog IMO. Rock on MegaDave!

Great review! EG took a bit to get into for me with the exception of a couple of tunes. When I first heard Broderick was on board I was stoked! But upon hearing the album I was a tad disappointed with his soloing, now before someone hangs me with a new rope I'll explain. I expected Chris to be more creative and granted he does kick arse I though there was too much flurries and sweep picking and not enough bent notes, etc. I guess I expected a little more in the vein of Marty, only faster and more intense, his solos kinda sound the same. Dave on the other hand kicked some arse! Ever since recovering from Saturday Night Palsy I think he's gotten better IMHO. I miss the classic riffing and Dave's lyrics haven't been as good on the last two albums but he's still one of the greatest lyricists off all-time IMO. I think EG is a great album, surprisingly THPOLG...SWAK is my fave.

I still need to get Endgame

I had a difficult time listening to this cd all the way thru when it came out. The intro got things rolling great and then... the flow just kinda/sorta went someplace ? Alot of dynamic stuff going on but missing something. Then a funny thing happened. I had to drive down to Bakersfiled from Sacramento and switch 53' foot trailers with another driver. I took my Ipod with me, which is standard operating procedure and the lil tape attachment to stick in the truck's deck. "Endgame" was the first album to play. I like to use the album format most of the time. To my amazement, among other things. That was the only thing I had downloaded onto the Ipod. So for the 5 hour trip down there and the 5 hour trip back. I listened to it over and over and over. I can't call if it was a nostalgia thing of listening to music on sub standard equipment during a long road trip, like days long gone or if I just listened to the cd from the perspective of a fan instead of a critic?

Anyways, ramblin off at the mouth finished. "ENDgame"

Great review!!!! My opinion - best album since RIP!!!! Endgame rules!!!!

ENDGAME rips!! I still listen to it pretty regularly months after its release (it's in my "to be listened to" stack today in fact). It's fast, heavy, angry, snarly, and pissed off sounding. What's not to like?

The System Has Failed - My second favorite Megadeth album. Totally blew me away when I first listened to it. A great mix of all Megadeth eras.

United Abominations - It took me a long time to get into this one. It's too political and there's some filler, but it is a good album. "Blessed Are the Dead", "You're Dead" and "Burnt Ice" are pretty lame, IMO.

Endgame - Not a bad album and I know a lot of people praise it because it is one of their heaviest in a long time, but I think that's why I don't like it as much as I do other MD albums. There's too much of a lack of melody for my personal tastes. MD is one of my favorite bands, so I'm ashamed to say this, but I spun this album probably 5 or 6 times and then I was done with it. Nothing sticks out from it.

RUST IN PEACE: riffs, riffs and more riffs

I was looking for Endgame this weekend but couldnt find it I had to settle for Countdown to Extinction which is a great album btw

I love UA and TSHF and Ive heard Endgame through myspace when it was streamable, I liked what I heard, so I needs to get it.

Countdown to Extinction is definitly becoming a favorite for Megadeth

I don't have Risk. Didn't really like what I heard from it. But this is how I'd rank the albums I do have.

1. Rust In Peace
2. Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?
3. Endgame
4. Countdown to Extinction
5. So Far, So Good...So What?
6. Youthanasia
7. Killing Is My Business...and Business Is Good
8. The System Has Failed
9. United Abominations
10. Cryptic Writings

I really like The System Has Failed - i think it's easily their best work since 1990(!). I'm always quite surprised when it finishes up in the bottom 2 or 3 of people's 'Deth album preferences. I liked United Abominations, too.. but not quite as much.

Not heard Endgame yet. That needs to be rectified.

I think The System Has Failed is a fantastic album. Nowhere near the bottom of my list.