Megadeth are of course no strangers to line-up changes and after the surprising exit of two members that is drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist Chris Broderick many had hoped that the Rust In Peace era lineup of Megadeth would be reunited. But it wasn't to be and suitable replacements were found elsewhere. So that's all in the past now and the futures looking bright indeed as Megadeth have recorded one very impressive new album. From the first listen it's pretty clear that this latest version of Megadeth have released an album that is a vast improvement over the two that preceeded it. The chemistry is there and the band is sounding invigorated, and once again Mustaine tackles politics and other issues facing humanity delivered with that snarling vocal style. Dystoipia isn't a major return to the thrash style of earlier albums though that still plays a part with a modern spin the album does present quite an appealing variety, there are similarities to the past and also an air of freshness.
Dystoipia is the first Megadeth album to include Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who has proven himself to be one serious talent be it in our outside of the Brazilian metal group Angra. Now news of his addition to Megadeth's line-up was met with different emotions by myself, I was at first quite surprised, I had positive thoughts of the possibilities of such a union and also those of disappointment in that he may actually leave Angra. Angra have been one of the most consistent metal groups delivering killer album after album the most recent being Secret Garden, something I can't say about every group. I understand the reasoning behind such a move as Megadeth is of course such a high profile act in comparison. It's great to see that Kiko is credited as a co-writer on three of Dystoipia's tracks and on the album's heaviest track "Lying In State" along with Mustaine they make for a potent guitar duo. Then there is drummer Chris Adler of Lamb Of God a band that I'm not really a fan of though I am aware of his credentials. I have seen Lamb Of God perform live on tour with Metallica so I knew what he could possibly bring to the band, and I do find his enthusiastic playing very agreeable on tracks such as the lethal metal number "Lying In State", his precision playing on "Bullet To The Brain" and machine gun kicks on "Poisonous Shadows". The guitar input on Dystoipia is sure to draw much attention but you also have to acknowledge Dave Ellefson's excellent bass work like that on "Fatal Illusion".
Instrumental "Conquer Or Die" features a wonderful acoustic guitar introduction before the metal of Megadeath is unleashed. I also really like the more straightforward driving metal approach to "Post American World" it's just so catchy. The one thing that caught my attention is there are times when you hear something cool on this album and Megadeth builds on it. When so many times I hear a release where a band comes up with a great riff etc. only to leave it behind, and go off in another direction resulting in something much less appealing. Dystoipia sounds like the work of band that have to put the hard yards in with a great deal of attention to detail, and the result is an album that lives up to all the hype.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. The Threat Is Real
2. Dystopia
3. Fatal Illusion
4. Death From Within
5. Bullet To The Brain
6. Post American World
7. Poisonous Shadows
8. Conquer Or Die
9. Lying In State
10. The Emperor
11. Foreign Policy (FEAR cover)
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