MEGADETH — The System Has Failed (review)

MEGADETH — The System Has Failed album cover

Album · 2004 · Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2021-04-17
UMUR

"The System Has Failed" is the 10th full-length studio album by US thrash/heavy metal act Megadeth. The album was released through Sanctuary Records in September 2004. It´s the successor to "The World Needs a Hero" from 2001 and features several lineup changes since the predecessor. The only remaining member of the lineup who recorded "The World Needs a Hero (2001)" is actually lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Several different things led to the big lineup shuffles, and the first was Mustaine disbanding Megadeth in April 2002, because of a serious arm injury, which made him unable to play guitar. Mustaine received intense physical therapy but it still took months before he could play guitar again.

The writing sessions for "The System Has Failed" started out as a Mustaine solo project, but because of contractual obligations the project adopted the Megadeth name. Mustaine called his old friend and co-founder of the band bassist David Ellefson, but the latter was unsatisfied with the financial terms of the deal Mustaine offered him and refused the offer to return to Megadeth. Instead Mustaine opted to bring in session musicians for the project. Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland was brought in to record solos and lead guitar parts, Jimmy Sloas was brought in to record bass, and Vinnie Colaiuta to play drums. The latter is mostly known for playing on many jazz/fusion releases by various artists, but also for playing with Frank Zappa in the late 70s and early 80s. A very skilled drummer and quite the capacity.

Not surprisingly the high level musicianship is one of the greatest assets of "The System Has Failed". Colaiuta brings something a little different to the rhythm part of the band´s sound (while staying true to the core sound), and Poland delivers one blistering melodic solo after another. Mustaine sounds revitalized after the rather limb "The World Needs a Hero (2001)" and his riffs are sharp and his vocals strong. His unique voice will always be an aquired taste, but he arguably puts on a good performance here. It sounds like the hiatus (although it was forced upon him) was actually good for him.

The material are generally of a good quality but it´s not through and through a brilliant release. There are enough quality material here to warrant me calling "The System Has Failed" a good quality album though, and tracks like "Blackmail the Universe", "Kick the Chair", and "My Kingdom" (which are all among the most hard edged and thrash metal oriented tracks on the album) are for example pretty strong tracks, which smell just a little bit like 80s/90s Megadeth. The remaining tracks range from good to slightly mediocre, but none are bad. If I have to compare "The System Has Failed" with some previous Megadeth releases it would probably be the melodic heavy metal oriented "Youthanasia (1994)" with an occasional whiff of "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (1986)". The latter is mostly due to Poland contributing but the occasional appearance of a hard edged riff also point in that direction.

"The System Has Failed" features a powerful, detailed, and well sounding production, which suits the material perfectly. The sound greatly contributes to the material shining and appearing as effectful as possible. Upon conclusion Megadeth have succeeded yet again in writing and recording a good quality melodic heavy metal/thrash metal album. It occasionally makes my blood boil and the rest of the time I´m at least well entertained listening to music as well composed and performed as the case is here. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.