Every time a new Megadeth album comes out, I listen to it and find myself thinking, damn, this is the best Megadeth in years. Perhaps, then, they’ve been getting progressively better. It’s also possible — if not probable — that I’ve forgotten how good the previous album was by the time a new album comes out. I have some memory problems, so if it’s been a few weeks since I’ve listened to something, my recollection isn’t the best. So, yes, I’m going to say that this is the best new Megadeth album in years. BUT, I’ve said that about their last four or five albums, too, so that does not mean that they’re bad. Far from it, as Megadeth continues to pump out quality album after album.
I’ll be the first to admit that Megadeth’s album’s Risk and Cryptic Writings were mostly awful. I look at those as Megadeth’s equivalent to Metallica’s Load and Re-Load. In both instances, I think the bands were more concerned with churning out hits than they were about trying to make quality music from an inspired, artistic place.
I’m not going to sit here and tell you that Super Collider is a ground-breaking piece of art, but it does, by and large, feel inspired. The title track is a silly anthem with cheesy lyrics, but it is pretty darn heavy. The first track, “Kingmaker” is a much more ferocious anthem though, and it has better lyrics.
Dave Mustaine and company don’t do anything new on this album, but it’s amazing how well they’ve reverted back to the sound of their classic albums Rust in Peace and Countdown To Extinction. Of course, the later got the band quite a bit of radio airplay and is probably partially responsible for Risk and Cryptic Writings, but Super Collider is certainly much better than either Risk or Cryptic Writings. Much, much better.
Super Collider also reminds me of Youthanasia, which is another of my favorite Megadeth albums. In fact, it’s probably tied with Rust in Peace for being my favorite Megadeth album. Suffice to say that I’m really digging Super Collider. It’s an album full of crunchy rhythm guitar riffs, blazing solos, and drums that seem to leap out of your speakers and kick you in the head. It’s classic Megadeth, to be sure. And it’s the album of the day today of all days because I’m going to see Megadeth at Mohegan Sun Casino tonight. Lucky me!
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