Having pioneered the thrash genre back in 1983, Megadeth have spent the past four decades frequently reminding us that no one can do it quite like them. It is only fitting then, that with their 17th and final release, the band once again remain loyal to their signature blend of chugging riffs, angst-fuelled vocals, and enough shreddy-guitar solos to make your head spin.
This is an unwavering commitment that remains throughout, and ultimately becomes both the record’s main redeeming feature and its biggest downfall. On one hand, album opener ‘Tipping Point’ and ‘I Am War’ see the band go back-to-basics and deliver their tried-and-tested formula with a new sense of vigour. However, others – such as ‘Let There Be Shred’ and ‘Puppet Parade’ – seem to fall flat, sticking too rigidly with the most-predictable choices, and delivering something that fails to stand out from the rest of their catalogue.
‘I Don’t Care’ is another that falls into this trap, with uninspired lyrics like “I don’t care if I’m not your class / I don’t care, you can kiss my ass” taking the record from a befitting nod to their heyday, and making it borderline gimmicky. Though, you can’t fully rebuke the band for leaning into this tongue-in-cheek approach. As frontman Dave Mustaine himself explained, it’s time to call it quits while it is still “on their own terms” – and if that means going out in a blaze of glory with middle fingers raised, we’ll take that over a lacklustre effort that sees the metal icons merely fade away.
Whether a lifelong Megadeth fan or first exploring the world of thrash, there is no denying that this is a band throwing everything but the kitchen sink at new music before they take a final bow. Yet, hidden between the same balls-to-the-wall approach they’ve had for years, there are hints of something deeper going on this time – it is the few nuances scattered within that truly make it stand out.
For that, look no further than tracks ‘Hey God!’ and closer ‘The Last Note’ – between hard-hitting instrumentals, the lyrics find an older and wiser Mustaine looking back at the path that brought him to this very moment. Pair that with the unexpected cover of Metallica’s ‘Ride The Lightning’ (co-written by Mustaine in the early ’80s before an unceremonious departure from the band) and it is here that the record feels like a gratifying, full-circle moment for Megadeth – one last look back before bringing an integral chapter of metal history to a close.
