Megadeth - The System Has Failed (2004)

The 'Deth squad continue their return to form, Mustaine commentating on political collapse as opener 'R.I.P.' marches in on militant aggression and 'Blackmail The Enemy' flashes with technical brilliance. However, this isn't 'Rust In Peace' mark two, in fact far from it, 'The System...' is a very relaxed record that offers little in the way of thrash, but instead sees Mustaine nodding toward a more classic metal approach, and somehow it works, whereas previous records such as 'Risk' just passed me by. Maybe the timing was right, but with Chris Poland back in the ranks and the sterling drum work keeping this all together, Megadeth appear as tight as ever as the slow, brooding 'Die Dead Enough' creeps in on Poland's solo. Technically this is supreme without ever requiring the aggression of the early days, and whilst I expected to be disappointed by the record, it almost soothes rather than jolts. Of course, from here the band would up the anti, but 'The System...' sees Mustaine in such a fluent mood that melody seems key rather than razor riffing and cynical sneering. The gothic strains of 'Tick Tock' and the brilliant 'The Scorpion' wrap the likes of metallica in a confining web and let the master do his work whereas 'Tears In A Vial' will surprise with its upbeat motion. Some could still argue that Megadeth in 2004 is a watered down version of what used to be, but it's killer cut 'Back In The Day', for all its seemingly lyrical naivety that stirs the soul. Instead of petty politics Mustaine resorts back to teenage angst for the track, enabling the listener, especially the true metalhead, to sit back and drift off to a time when metal was real....the '80s. Mustaine clearly wears the metal crown when it comes to keeping the flame alive, and whether as a band still holding a flame to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene of old, or thrashing with the titans, Megadeth are still clearly evolving. 'Something That I'm Not' appears as a direct message to an enemy of Dave - someone in Metallica maybe ? Those expecting a thrash workout may find 'The System...' disappointing, but Mustaine is far more reflective here, more than I've ever known, and by rocking out a more melodic yet concise groove the album shines, even if it lacks the cutting cynicism of the past...but this isn't the past. Megadeth continue to mature around those amazing solo's and perfectly constructed segments, and that's why they stand apart...and alone perhaps. Mustaine bares his soul more on this record, but still has time to rock heavy, 'Shadow Of Death' being a prime example. Sure, it's mostly mid-paced but it purrs like a well oiled machine. No-one sounds like Megadeth, and no-one will. Masterful to the core, Mustaine does what he wants and that is crystal clear on this record. A real heavy metal album that Metallica stopped making during the late '80s.

8/10