Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2009.

One of the most consistent thrash / heavy metal bands have returned with the eagerly awaited album Endgame. Whilst the other thrash mainstays Metallica have raised their game over the last year to come back the pinnacle that they deserve to hold, Megadeth never really let their fans down and time after time delivered albums full of humour, stunning guitar work, drums that make your head spin and lyrics that stand the test of time.

All of this is true with the follow up to the platinum selling album United Abominations. From the opening moment where Dave Mustaine and Chris Broderick take turns to get the album going with some mind-blowing guitar solos to the apt ending of The Right to go Insane there isn’t a bad bit in between.

A few tracks beg to be listened to, including the jaw dropping Bite The Hand and the title track Endgame which brings to mind George Orwell’s 1984 but with an even more sinister overtone hung between each note and drum kick.

In the hands of any other band the track would come out as a rather schmaltzy affair that some certain fans would love and some would by pass, but in the hands of Dave Mustaine it comes across as an incredibly menacing, ominous piece of work that if listened to late at night and with the lights off, will have you reaching for switch to reassure yourself that nobody is at the foot of your bed.

It really seems that since Dave Mustaine cleaned up his act and stopped the self destruct side to his personality that his music has taken on a new edge and drive.

Good to have Megadeth back and jostling with musical rivals Metallica, there is room for both!

Ian D. Hall