Megadeth - 13 (2011)

Thirteen album's down the line - yes, thirteen - and Megadeth are still the kings of technical thrash even if the supremacy of 'Rust In Peace' seems a long time ago. The last couple of Megadeth album's have been remarkable metal experiences, the band clearly leaning toward the melodic side but now so gargantuan in its complexity and attitude that it no longer needs to rage fast to deliver its message. '13' boasts some truly staggering guitar work, courtesy of course from Mustaine and also the extremely talented Chris Broderick, and if want further proof that Dave is king of metal then just check out the guitar work on 'Never Dead' and 'Sudden Death' which literally boggles the mind. Killer riffs aplenty and some spectacular solo's - check out the opening to 'Black Swan' - confirm that Megadeth are the leaders of this type of cold steel metal, poetic and graceful but as equally sneering and arrogant as they crash and bang through 'Wrecker' and the rust n' roll groove of 'Public Enemy No 1' Mustaine is a unique individual who has dragged his band of masters into the modern day and efforltessly they have been able to produce such wondrous works. '13' is a rock 'n' roll record, a heavy metal experience, and for anyone who wishes to debate the Metallica vs Megadeth phenomena one only has to look at Mustaine's output since 1992 compared to Metallica's. This is real metal, a band that keeps one foot, and its entire soul, rooted in the atmosphere and meaning of metal - proof that whatever Mustaine wishes to shout about, will still sit alongside those dazzling solo's and bewildering riffs. The title cut seems deeply personal, it's lyrically engaging, and like so many other Megadeth tracks, has the ability to ensnare you, tear you to pieces but emerge appreciative of this kind of high quality metal. Megadeth are simply a consistently brilliant heavy metal band. Call them thrash if you like, but '13' is more than that, it's a symbol of a great career and one that has many more miles left to run. 8/10