Megadeth – ‘Megadeth’

(Blk II Blk Records)

There’s something poetic, and a little bit brutal, about Megadeth choosing to bow out with a self-titled album. No gimmicks, no grand conceptual overreach, no desperate bid to chase modern metal trends. Just Megadeth. As if Dave Mustaine and co. are planting a flag in the dirt, wiping the blood from their knuckles, and saying: this is who we are, this is what we’ve always done. For a band that has spent four decades balancing technical ferocity with pointed attitude, that feels exactly right.

From the opening moments this album makes its intentions crystal clear. This is thrash metal with its sleeves rolled up, leaning hard into the band’s classic strengths –razor-edged riffs, sharp tempo changes, snarling vocals, and that unmistakable Mustaine bite. It harks back to the band’s prime without sounding like a lazy nostalgia trip, and that’s no small feat for a group this deep into their career.

One of the album’s biggest victories is its accessibility. Compared to some latter-day Megadeth releases that leaned heavily into complexity for complexity’s sake, Megadeth feels streamlined and direct. The songs hit quicker, the hooks land harder, and the riffs are allowed to breathe instead of constantly trying to outsmart the listener. That doesn’t mean the band has gone soft, far from it, but there’s a confidence here in knowing when less is more.

Dave Mustaine sounds reinvigorated. His vocals which have never been traditionally “pretty,” are deployed with precision and purpose, dripping with that familiar sneer that has powered Megadeth since the early days. Lyrically, the album sticks to familiar territory, conflict, corruption, defiance, but there’s a reflective undercurrent running through it all. Whether intentional or not, knowing this is the band’s final album adds weight to every line. There’s a sense of taking stock, of acknowledging battles won and lost, without ever slipping into self-pity.

Musically, the band is tight, disciplined, and ferocious when it counts. The guitar work is classic Megadeth: intricate without being indulgent, aggressive without losing clarity. Solos scream and slash rather than spiral endlessly, serving the songs instead of hijacking them. The rhythm section deserves serious credit here too, locked in, punchy, and driving the album forward with real momentum. This is thrash that moves, not just thrash that flexes.

What really makes Megadeth land is how unapologetically it caters to established fans of the band’s classic sound. If you cut your teeth on Rust in Peace, Peace Sells…, or Countdown to Extinction, there’s plenty here to make you grin like you’ve just rediscovered an old tour shirt at the back of the wardrobe. The riffs bite, the choruses stick, and the overall vibe feels familiar in the best possible way. It doesn’t chase the heights of those legendary albums, and it knows better than to try but it stands proudly in their shadow.

That’s not to say the album is flawless. A few tracks blend into one another, and there are moments where you can hear the band leaning a little too heavily on established formulas. Long-time listeners may find themselves predicting where a song is headed before it gets there. But honestly? In the context of a final album, that almost feels appropriate.

‘Tipping Point’ is a sharp, no-nonsense opener that sets the tone immediately. Classic Megadeth riffage with a modern bite, it feels like the band announcing they’re not here to mess about. Urgent, punchy, and confident.

‘I Don’t Care’ is lean, aggressive, and packed with attitude. This one thrives on its blunt-force chorus and snarling delivery. It’s simple by Megadeth standards, but that directness makes it hit harder than expected.

‘Hey God?!’ is mid-tempo and menacing, with a darker lyrical edge. Mustaine’s trademark sneer works perfectly here, and the song gradually tightens the screws rather than exploding outright. A grower with real weight.

‘Let There Be Shred’ – The title tells you everything you need to know. This is pure guitar worship, fast, flashy, and unapologetically indulgent. It doesn’t pretend to be subtle, and honestly, that’s part of the fun.

‘Puppet Parade’ is a politically charged thrasher that harks back to Megadeth’s classic protest mode. The riff is vintage, the rhythm section locks in tight, and the chorus sticks without sacrificing aggression.

‘Another Bad Day’ is groovy, cynical, and surprisingly catchy. This track leans into accessibility without sounding soft, balancing crunching riffs with a memorable hook. One of the album’s most immediate and replayable moments.

‘Made To Kill’ is relentless and straight-ahead thrash. No frills, no detours, just speed, precision, and attitude. It feels like a live staple in waiting, built to ignite pits rather than overthink things.

‘Obey The Call’ carries a sense of finality, even without knowing it’s the band’s last album. Anthemic in places, heavier in others, it blends melody and muscle with a sense of purpose.

‘I Am War’ is blunt, stomping, and confrontational. The slower pace gives the riffs room to crush, while the vocals sound particularly venomous. It’s not flashy, but it’s undeniably effective.

‘The Last Note’ is reflective and feels deliberately placed. Not a ballad, but more restrained and thoughtful, it allows the album and the band to exhale before the end. A fitting penultimate statement.

‘Ride The Lightning’ is a bonus track and is of course a version of the famous Metallica song. Just in case you don’t know, Mustaine was part of Metallica’s early days, and he co-wrote this song hence it’s inclusion here. It provides a fast, fiery send-off. Thrash to the core, packed with energy and attitude, it closes the album on a high, Megadeth going out the only way they know how: loud, sharp, and unapologetic.

As a “last hurrah,” this album does exactly what it needs to do. It doesn’t tarnish the legacy, it doesn’t overstay its welcome, and it doesn’t end on a whimper. Instead, it delivers a solid, confident slab of thrash metal that reminds you why Megadeth mattered in the first place. The band goes out swinging, riffs blazing, middle fingers firmly raised.

There’s undeniable sadness in knowing this is the final chapter. Megadeth has been a constant presence in metal for decades, shaping the genre and influencing countless bands along the way. Their last ever album marking the end of an era is bound to hit fans hard. But if this really is goodbye, it’s a good one. No embarrassment, no compromise, just a band staying true to itself until the very end.

Megadeth may not reach the towering heights of the band’s classic albums, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a strong, satisfying farewell that honours the past while delivering the goods in the present. For long-time fans especially, it’s a reminder of why Megadeth earned their place in thrash metal history and proof that, even at the end, they still had something worth saying.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘I Am War’

Review by Woody