"The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" by Megadeth (BEST THRASH METAL ALBUM OF 2022?) | ALBUM REVIEW 

I actually love this album. I find it very catchy when you take into consideration -The cancer -Covid -line up changes - re recording with a new bassist Im kinda shocked it turned out this good. It has spotty moments some sudden changes that were kinda unnecessary and some lyrics that are almost comical. But its alot fun to listen to and mustaines vocals are actually good🤣

I was holding my breath so much for this release. Megadeth has always been my personal favorite of the big 4, and to see them this late in the game to be able to put out something great is nothing short of a miracle.

Man, this record is so, so good for what it is. Mustaine has just proven one more time (and he doesn’t have to prove anything anymore) that he is one of metal’s greatest icons. How this dude manages to regain strength after overwhelming odds stacked against him is just remarkable. Shoutout to my fellow Brazilian Kiko who delivers a blazing performance that will surely increase his profile as a world elite player. So great to see this come to pass.

Dystopia definitely isn't overrated in my opinion. "Fatal Illusion" and "The Threat is Real" are great thrash metal songs. Saying that Dystopia is stupidly overrated just makes me wonder if we listened to the same album.

This new Megadeth album is very good and I think is their best since Endgame. It's better than the last two and I think it's better than Thirteen. Kiko's riffs on here as well as Dirk's drumming were fantastic. Kiko has done great work for Angra and Dirk has done great work for Soilwork and combined they definitely rejuvenated Megadeth's sound.

Tbf even at it's worst Megadeth still has some great bangers. Risk had Wanderlust and Prince of Darkness, 13 had Sudden Death and Black Swan and Supercollider had Kingmaker and Dance in the Rain. I still find Dystopia to be a great record The band just get heavily criticized all the time cause they're not doing Rust in Peace 2.

I thought it was pretty solid. It's megadeth doing megadeth, and it doesn't need to be more complicated than that. I had fun with the album (though i thought Sacrifice was weak) and I'll be getting this album on CD.

Killer album! Can’t stop listening to it! 🤘

I have heard three tracks so far and I'm excited to get my ears on the other tracks! Looks like it will be a Metal bus ride to work! Thanks again for another great review!

I really want to like this, but the "perfect" production of most modern metal albums ruins them for me, and I can't get past it. Albums used to have character, now they all sound the fucking same 😡

wow you really know music. Such a detailed review... This album is so fun but complex, heavy and fast in the same time. The secret recipe is writing catchy melodies, hooks and choruses with killer instrumentals, riffs and solos. And Mustaine is a genius so he did it again

My opinions aside, great review. Even if we disagree, I'm glad to see people getting excited about it, and you always have a great way of breaking down albums

At first I was puzzled why you would not like Dystopia, but it makes sense now - Dave's politics on that album triggered you lmao

Dude.. Chris Adler was never a permanent part of the band. He never wanted to leave LOG at that time, that was made plain. agree to disagree on Dystopia.

Awesome review, I couldn’t agree more, their best album since Endgame, Celebutante, Dogs Of Chernobyl & Killing Time are all killer tunes.

I listened to the album once and I enjoyed it. Megadeth is a one-album-and-quite-a-lot-of-singles band for me (that one album being Rust in Peace), so I probably wasn't as TOO over the moon about it like some people will be. On an unrelated note, I'm going to see IDLES in Toronto next Wednesday! Super pumped.

Great album. Riffs, riffs, glorious riffs!

I think the high points of Dystopia were a lot higher, but damn solid record.

Brilliant record. Brings to mind early Megadeth.

Great review, my copy is out for delivery and I am just killing time checking out reviews while I impatiently wait.

Im reading the comment section and I have no idea what megadeth album released today were you guys listening to….

Yeah as a Megadeth fanboi I thought this album was pretty fucking great idk if I like this more than Dystopia I’ll need more listens. but I definitely like this as much as endgame after this 2nd listen. I think this album has a much more calm Mustaine compared to Dystopia (which definitely had some Yikes lyrics admittedly). I don’t like Junkie, Mission to mare and Soldier on still, I think those songs are kinda weak. But the rest of this album fucking rules so yeah 4/5.

the police truck cover is ridiculously fucking good.

Dystopia over rated? Lol, ok my guy, ok.

This album is AMAZING! I love it

Judging by the comments I’m in the minority by saying this album wasn’t that good, thought it was really boring, and also, I want to be an astronaut

I love slow mid-paced megadeth songs, and this album is great IMO. It all depends on the listener i guess.

Brilliant Megadeth Album .. Well done guys

I love your reviews man and i learn a lot of pronunciaton in english as well cause you have a perfect diction!!!!!!

it's a great album...all things considered, it's epic. Chris Adler was never a standing member of Megadeth. He did an amazing job filling in, and recommending Dirk.🤘

I raise my megapint to thee!

Thanks for this review mate, I havw been wary of the last few Deth albums, but I am looking forward to this one, thanks again man!

Easily their best "Thrash" album since Rust In Peace in my opinion. It gives old-school vibes and I fucking love it.

Love your review, very eloquent! Cheers

This album and the new blind guardian both put a smile on my face by being better than I expected. Obviously Dave’s voice isn’t what it was and has been through the wringer but he still knows how to work with what he’s got and can still write hooks. The guitars sound so good on this album. Dave still rips and Kiko is such an underrated talent except to those who know him. And dirks always been a monster drummer.

enjoyed the review...thanks...can hardly wait til my copy arrives next week...

Title song, Life in Hell and Killing Time are awesome. Only one they are playing on tour is We'll Be Back. Surprised they wouldn't play more considering they just released the album this month!

It’s a great fucking album idc what anyone says. I support anyone doing what they love. And I love seeing Dave win.

I saw them on tour with FFDP at Jiffy Lube and they sounded great! Dave went into a monologue about his cancer and living through covid and i have never cheered harder. Love those guys.

"xenophophic gibberjabberh!" REally?

This is a total banger of a album 4/5 definitely my top 5 favourite albums from Megadeth

Great review, and I agree with most of what you said. I loved Ice-T and thought it added something unique to a Megadeth song. Love the line "you can't see us coming so there's no chance in running " (might have missed a word there or made a mistake). I must also say I loved Dystopia. Yeah, a bit compressed and not as well done as this album, which is AMAZINGLY recorded, but the songs on Dystopia are pretty amazing..... great video, cheers.

You know, I always like your video before I hear your review on the albums you do 😂 this album is 50/50 for me. I am letting it grow on me more. It is definitely heavier than most albums in recent years. I’m sure this will grow on me fast. On another note, I wonder if Megadeth will do another album or go out with a bang on this one. Either or, they will always have my respect. Cheers Brother!

3.5/5 the album was very solid and probably one of the best albums of the year so far.

The beginning bit of the title track is actually from Monty python and the holy grail

Total Banger, Brah. 🤘🏼

I love Megadeth as the best group ever!!!

I agree it's the best since Endgame. We know Dave Mustaine is no spring chicken. At 60, hes "died" twice, overcame addictions, had to have multiple surgeries and relearn guitar. Most recently he has battled cancer and won. From his early days with Panic and Metallica, death has haunted him. Being spiteful and full of rage, he created Megadeth. Their first album was a seething, ferocious scorched earth sonic assault. From then on, Dave would ensure Megadeth would always move forward and leave his foot print in the music world. And here we are at his 16th album, almost 40 years after the inception of Megadeth. Is it a Rust in peace? A peace sells? A countdown? Youthanasia? No. But its a perfect The Sick, the Dying and the Dead. Dave can never recapture the magic of his iconic and monumental albums. He simply isnt that person anymore. Hes grown. Hes older. Hes changed. The world has changed and the metal music scene has changed as well. I thoroughly enjoy this album from beginning to end. Yes, a song or two may be a bit simplistic or not as catchy as others. But the riffs punch you in the gut. The drums thunder in your chest. The bass rattles your head and the solos tickle your ears with ease. Dave has come back with a vengeance and sounds stronger then ever. The cheeky and sly humor of the lyrics remind us that Dave is still cynical Dave, not afraid to throw a little cheese at us. "Hello, me...its the real me" or how about "Whoever thought you'd be better, At turning a screw than me. I do it for my life. Made my drive shaft crank. Made my pistons bulge. Made my ball bearing melt from the heat" Typical Mustaine cheese and here for more of it. For me, the title track is my favorite. As a metal guitarist of 20 years, this song sounds so fun, groovy and full of life and swing. I look forward to learning this song. This album grows the more you play it. Im on my 13th spin now, as I got my album yesterday. My personal view is that its the most alive, fun filled, heavy album Dave has made in the last 20 years. It slightly edges out Endgame and is definitely the organic evolution of Dystopia.The addition of Dirk behind the kit gives this album the swagger it needed. It's moving into my personal top 3 favorite Megadeth albums. But its still new. We will see how time treats this album. Is it Rust? No. But it doesnt need to be. Its a Megadeth album in 2022. And that is something I can appreciate.

Bro Dystopia is not overrated at all what are you guys smoking

Very solid album for a band this deep into their career. Not as consistent as Dystopia or Endgame and certainly not up to the level of Peace Sells/Rust in Peace etc...but there are some killer riffs...great hooks and Kiko fits this band better than anyone since Marty left in my opinion

Thanks! Awesome review.

It hurts listening to the songs so much I only was able to finish one of them, gonna try again later to be fair.

Sick ass album. Between this and Blind Guardians new stuff....ill be happy 😊

I seen Megadeth this year with LOG and Dave Mustaine's voice was horrible at the concert. Or he's mic wasn't turned up enough because I could barely hear him. There we're other people there who left during he's set because of it. He sounded fine to me on this album.

I love the album! 5/5 nothing more to say

This album i a HUGE return to form, especially considering Dave's battle with throat cancer and Dave Jr's weird departure.

Can't believe that YOU actually liked it so much , as I agree with you quite often :) Besides the two good singles and some moments here and there, for me it's pretty MEHadeth with some really corny and silly moments :)

Easily one of their best and in their top 5. 8/10

I'm disappointed because the first 2 songs they released are by far the best. I was hoping it was an album of that, but no. It went back to revenge love songs and nothing got me moving. I'm thankful for the 2 great songs off this, but the rest will be forgotten.

Huh. I guess ill give it a listen. You spoke highly of it, even though i have my opinions on Dave Ellefson getting fired from the band as the dude is one of the reasons i picked up a bass to begin with and really an essential member. I just hope it makes it for me.

Agreed! I’m close to going further and saying it’s Mustaine’s best since Countdown - but need a few more spins. It’s def among the bands best half dozen or so albums

I'm so glad I'm not part of this younger generation that I really have trouble understanding how all these so-called and mostly men do most of the bitching on the Internet and RU-vid much more than the actual girls lol

True Megadeth is f*cking BACK!!!

Didn't really like it at first listen but it's growing on me a lot. I really like the singles, and Life In Hell, Dogs Of Chernobyl, and the title track is really good too. Not a fan of Mission To Mars and Celebutante. Other than those two its a really good album. 4/5 for me. Also i think this is the first time a Megadeth album has opened with the title track, pretty cool.

Bro I love your shirt

Those newer Kreator albums are absolute 🔥

Love it! I would put it somewhere in the middle of their discography. I might prefer Dystopia by a little bit, but I’d put it above TWNAH, KIMB, Risk, SC, Cryptic Writings, 13, and TSHF.

This is everything Dystopia should have fucking been! 4.5/5

I only like three songs. The Sick, The Dying...And The Dead, Life In Hell, and Célebutante. Mediocre at best. Really cheesy lyrics at times. "I want to be an Astronaut" "pocket full of posies" and bad and awkward vocal deliveries. Two unnecessary covers. Junkie and that Mars song are horrible! I'm disappointed. I absolutely love the first 6 albums!

When has Dave's jibber jabber ever been xenophobic?

I am starting to admire Megadeth more than before

It’s very good! There are a couple songs I could give or take but overall it’s a hit.

I always enjoy when you are psyched on a album and wax poetic..

Nah mate, Dystopia was 🔥

Even you gave them a positive review? I see nothing but praise on YT for this album.. am I missing something? Dave is REALLY just rehashing stuff he did way better back in the day: -non-aggressive 160-180 bpm thrash (Title Track, Life in Hell, Junkie, Killing Time, Soldier On (at least it had lead guitar in the chorus), Mission to Mars) -80s speed metal riffing & drums without harmonies or new licks (Night Stalkers and Life In Hell, Celebulante, This Planet's On Fire) -cheesy 'poppy' vocal lines choruses (Life In Hell, Killing Time, Mission to Mars (those lyrics!!), Police Truck, This Planet's On FIre) ..not much different from Public Enemy no 1, Something That I'm Not, Blessed Be The Dead, let alone all the songs in 1985-1994. You wouldn't see anyone raving if a new band released the same album. Where are the twin riffs? Where is the memorable 20+ second solo? The memorable bass line? The 'caught you off-guard' tempo change like Hangar 18 outro, Endgame outro, Wake Up Dead outro etc? Dogs of Chernobyl, Celebutante (1:48-2:12), Mission to Mars (3:28-5:23) and We'll Be Back were the best efforts, but the album isn't anytwhere close to Endgame or Dystopia, and the latter was simply solid, nothing more.

This is a good album for sure. On an additional listen or two I may bump it up (only heard it once so far). But best Thrash Metal of 2022 was released today by Australian band Asylum - Tyrannicide. Fiery, angry lyrics/amazing riffs/superior structure make this one incredible Thrash! It's such a busy month but hope Thrash fans find a way to Aslyum.

I’m a little disappointed that the 3 singles are literally the best songs of the album by far. I was so excited when I heard those 3 songs plus the beginning of Life in Hell who was revealed at the beginning of the year. I thought the whole album would be at the same level but it’s clearly not the case.

YES! Absolute banger! I was 3 songs into it when I realized it was better than dystopia, and I actually liked dystopia when it came out but this was such a big upgrade. Like I'd be willing to say its probably their best work since Countdown to Extinction. I love a lot of their discography but the quality of the songs and the energy of each instrument and overall ambition is undeniable and I'm so happy one of my favorite bands is finally back on track \m/

Stopped watching a the word xenophobic. Wow...

I really enjoyed this one, its a fun record. I was dreading it too as well, but when I heard well be back I was a little excited.

Honestly, it bored the shit out of me. Especially Mustaine‘s vocal performance killed nearly every track for me. Also I think that the production / mixing is pretty terrible, not to mention the lyrics. There are a couple of tracks that are kind of enjoyable ( mainly the singles minus Ice-T ), on the other hand there are songs like Dogs of Chernobyl, Sacrifice, Junkie, Killing Time or Mission to Mars that are unbelievably dull and cringeworthy in my opinion. All in all, I think it‘s a pretty lame and disappointing record.

I'm enjoying it! 💖

Cool review. This album kicks tons of ass! I really liked Dystopia too. Lots of amazing lead guitar work on both albums. Maybe I'm in the minority but I think Dystopia kicks tons of ass too.

Really happy Megadeth is back at the top of their game. 🤘

How did I not know about that Sammy Hagar song. That was cool, and I like some of the humorous stuff on the album.

Take Ice T out lol. But ok it is a good way of showing that metal loves all races of people.

Dystopia was a great album What u smoking lol

why no one talks about how good 13 album was? i really dont understand...that album was pure megadeth!

I can't wait for your review on slipknot s new album haa zzz zzz and I'm a huge slipknot fan

Has a mic of world needs a hero,endgame,thirteen,dystopia to me with a sprinkle of original Megadeth!! Freaking great album.

Dam right it's good.

Great commentary Robert. My thoughts exactly. And I'm glad to hear another Megadeth fan also does not like Dystopia. Aside from Threat is Real and title track ... i do NOT like that album.

This is definitely Megadeth’s best album in a long time! I really enjoyed it and I think it’s one of the best Thrash/Speed Metal albums of the year so far👍🤘🤘

I agree on the rating, but where I'll disagree is dystopia. Dystopia is a better thrash record than the sick the dying and the dead. The new record is a combination of everything they've done in their career. While I'll agree the production was compressed to all hell on dystopia, this new record sounds extremely digital. But at the end of the day, they're both really good records in the modern megadeth catalog, only putting endgame above them.

I have a problem with megadeth and it is that I ask myself if what I am hearing from them is 100% thrash metal or some kind of hybrid between the heavy metal of the mid-80s and some reminiscences of the thrash that everyone knows, I am more inclined towards the first option, Megadeth was never a totally thrash metal band and it is hard for me to judge them that way when they are presenting a more heavy-oriented album.

Thank G-d u bring up the Ice-T contribution! Yeah shoot me but to me Ice is one of my all-time favorite metal/hardcore vocalists but his abilities were sooo underutilized in this track. I was really anticipating the release of this track but I was so underwhelmed when it finally got out. I guess I put the bar a bit too high?

Glad you like the album but you saying Dystopia is overrated is stupidity

Very good album, I fell asleep to it... In a good way. I'm going to finish the album, but it's great so far. Great Megadeth album review.

It's the best thing since rust in peace imo. Better than end game countdown . On par with peace sells and first album.

Love this thing. Has some great stuff on it. Yes Sammy and Ice T should not be on it. It doesn't need them. All in all I am a huge fan and been disappointed the last few albums. But this is good.