Megadeth - United Abominations (CD)

All Music Guide

Megadeth has been through a lot of lineup upheaval circa the early 21st century, with longtime leader Dave Mustaine being the only familiar face left in attendance. But the group's crunchy, venomous thrash has remained intact, as heard throughout the group's 2007 release, ‘United Abominations' (their first for the Roadrunner label). While many thrash metal bands take the easy way out lyrically by detailing their encounters with Señor Beelzebub Mustaine has never shied away from voicing his opinion about politics and the state of the world. And as evidenced by such biting tracks as "Washington is Next", "Gears of War," "Amerikhastan," and the title track, Mustaine remains as outspoken as ever about what he's been seeing on CNN for the past few years. Musically, Megadeth was never afraid to show off their progworthy chops, and the 2007 lineup (which sees Mustaine joined by bassist James Lomenzo and the sibling tandem of Glen Drover and Shawn Drover on guitar and drums) doesn't shy away... from tackling ‘tricky bits' including the album opening "Sleepwalker." Elsewhere, a rerecording of "A Tout Le Monde" as a duet between Mustaine and Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia has ‘radio/MTV airplay' written all over it. They may have lost the plot for a period (remember 1999's Risk?), but with ‘United Abominations,' Mustaine and co. certainly sound reborn. - Greg Prato, All Music Guide Read more Less