I haven't paid much attention to Megadeth since 2009's brilliant Endgame, and it's hard to believe it's been 17 years since its release. Still, the hype around this supposed final album made me too curious to ignore it. I'll admit the announced cover of "Ride the Lightning" was a big selling point, and the addition of the immensely talented Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) raised my expectations for a crushing final chapter.

That's not quite how it turned out.

It becomes clear fairly early that this isn't really a thrash metal album. Sure, opener "Tipping Point" and parts of tracks like "Let There Be Shred" have their moments, but overall, the record lacks the bite, aggression, and weight the genre demands. Mustaine still has some venom in his voice, but the album feels generic and underpowered. The production is toothless, the songwriting bland, and it's a shame to hear a drummer like Dirk Verburen reduced to a background role. The "Ride the Lightning" cover is well executed, but if there's one song that should overflow with Mustaine's bile and spite, it's that one. I still prefer the original.

That said, stepping back a bit, I will back Michel in that this works reasonably well as a melodic heavy metal album with occasional catchy riffs and sharp lead work. It's just OK for what it is, and fans will probably want to hear it, but let's just say it won't be making any year-end lists.

Additional Information

- "Ride the Lightning" bonus track available on all version. More bonus tracks can be found on other versions.