Megadeth
The System Has Failed

December 2004
Released: 2004, Sanctuary
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

Year-end wrap-up: Each of the last few years to wrap up the year I have picked a theme for my reviews for December. This year due to the overwhelming number of CD’s that deserve exposure, recognition and commentary I am going to resort to quantity over quality. I usually try to give as much attention to each CD with extensive commentary however this month’s reviews (perhaps unfortunately) will be short and sweet and much more in the style of traditional magazine reviews where space restrictions are an important factor. (ie. Less detail) I apologize in advance to readers who expect much more detailed reviews. Please check the reviews archives as many of my colleagues have written excellent detailed commentary of many of these CD’s. I hope the large number of quick comments will help guide you making some of those important year-end CD purchase decisions. Happy Holidays and see you in January. JP



A very nice return to form what is essentially now one last kick at the can, end on a high note, (aka) the beginning of Dave Mustaines solo career. Will he be like Jeff Waters with Annihilator and keep the Megadeth name or go truly ‘solo’? Either way this is a great first step in erasing the bad taste left in our mouths by a string of weak studio CD’s, ‘Best of’ compilations and lame reissues. Despite the hype this is not RIP Part II but it is thrash. It’s fast, catchy and has that quirky and unmistakable Megadeth signature sound although they admittedly can’t compete in intensity with today’s leaner, hungrier, heavier thrash acts. Good production, good packaging decent lyrics with typically snarled, less than actually sung, this is their best CD in a decade.