If I had a Rupee, OK 1000 Rupees (we’re in a recession), for every spin I’ve given this CD, I’d probably be able to pay off the mortgage on the house, and perhaps buy you all a round. But I’m not getting 1,000 bucks, so do your selves a favour and buy this album. And for the love of all things metal, go buy it RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!

Endgame, the twelfth studio album from Dave Mustaine & Co. is probably, if not, the ginger-haired legend’s greatest moment since Megadeth’s early 90s’ earthshaking masterpiece Rust In Peace. And if you’re one of those die-hard thrash fanatics like yours truly, this is the most valuable purchase you’ll make this year.

Kicking off in style with the instrumental Dialectic Chaos, Dave Mustaine and new lead guitar virtuoso Chris Broderick (ex Jag Panzer, Nevermore) make it clear on the onset that this is one guitar orgy of an album. Megadeth hasn’t seen such stellar guitar work since the great Marty Friedman. Endgame, in its entirety, is a masterful display of Broderick’s melodic honey-dipped tones and virtuoso shredding, gelling beautifully with the crunchy punch of Mustaine’s venomous riffing. And just when you realise that you’ve got a boner for the guitar gymnastics on the opening track, you’re already unwittingly lead into Megadeth’s wonderful world of thrash. You’re now officially in the Endgame.

And the only way out of it is to play it. Play it till each and every track takes its turn bending you over and ramming a steel-toed boot up your rear! Mustaine and crew take no prisoners when laying some of the most deliciously thrashy tunes on the planet. I dare anyone to stand still for the manic battle cry of This Day We Fight. Or try not to floor the pedal during 1320 – an ode to extreme sports. More lessons in violence come in the form of the aptly titled Head Crusher and Bite The Hand. New recruit on bass James LoMenzo and drummer Shawn Drover have their work cut out for them on this album, but they rise up to the occasion and deliver a rhythm section that’s insanely tight and full of awesome breakdowns and changes; all without losing a single bit of momentum.

But it’s not all about speed and 100mph riffing, although there is plenty of that to go around. The guys also throw in some very catchy, yet very muscular, mid tempo numbers like Bodies, How The Story Ends, The Right To Got Insane, the epic title track and the unforgettably gritty recount of the failed 1997 North Hollywood bank robbery, 44 Minutes. It’s all there in spades and legendary producer Andy Sneap (Nevermore, Arch Enemy, Machine Head, etc.) made sure it sounds just right; not too polished, not too raw, just pure Megadeth.

And in an album already full of outstanding songs, one song that stands out even more is the very personal and poignant The Hardest Part Of Letting Go… Sealed With A Kiss. It starts off with a melancholic acoustic intro very reminiscent of Sabbath’s Children Of The Sea, but once Mustaine’s wounded snarls kick in, this song becomes an instant Megadeth classic. You know, the type that sends thousands of lighters up in the air. But thankfully this doesn’t stay a ballad for long and Mustaine’s wounded melancholy gives way to an epic maelstrom of riffs and solos. Hey, it’s Megadeth, not fucking Warrant!

Dave Mustaine has always been one of my favourite songwriters ever since I was a kid. I loved being able to randomly pick quotes off his lyrics. Whether he’s rasping about current events, conspiracy theories, government policies, war, Armageddon, extreme sports, relationships, bible studies or even the damn grocery list, you can bet your rear that it’ll be smart-ass, insightful, controversial, entertaining and above all, honest. Because that’s who Dave Mustaine is. A brilliant storyteller. You don’t go from sacked junkie guitarist to a successful genre defining music icon without learning a lesson or two. On this album, Mustaine proves he’s still got a few things to say.

Having said that, this is an album that doesn’t rely on nostalgia to sell itself. No, these uncles are not ripping off their back catalogue to make a quick buck. Endgame is the creation of veteran artistes, who are absolutely aware of and inspired by what’s happening around them today and yet smart enough not to lose sight of who they are. And they are… well, at least Dave Mustaine is, one of metal’s most influential artistes of all time. For fuck’s sake, the man invented thrash!

It’s truly been a great year full of outstanding releases in the metal realm, but unless Maiden suddenly decides to release a double live album as a tribute to me, Endgame has totally obliterated the competition. This is definitely hands down, my Album of the Year. Ok fine, if you really insist on a score, here’s a fucking 10 out of 10! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make more imaginary money.

Reviewed by Shamir Hussain

Courtesy of www.loudisland.com