Megadeth The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead Review

Released on September 2, 2022 "The Sick, the Dying...and the Dead" is Megadeth's 16th studio album. Recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Dave Mustaine fought with throat cancer and the firing of David Ellefson because of an alleged sex scandal allegation.

Steve Di Giorgio of Testament came in and laid down new bass tracks.

James LoMenzo from White Lion, Black Label Society and Slash's Snake Pit is back again playing bass. 

Overall, the album is fantastic. It is an enjoyable journey of 73 minutes. The songs and the lyrics keep you interested all the way through. It is all "Killer and no filler". Plus, Dave Mustaine's snarl gets better with age.

1. The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead: this is a fantastic opening track. It sets up the mood for the album. The harmony guitars before the solo sound is very Iron Maidenish. It is a song about the Black Plague. The spoken middle section has the nursery rhyme "Ring around the Rosie". Supposedly, the nursery rhyme is about the black plague. This meaning came after World War Two. But folklore scholars believe this meaning is unsubstantiated. 
2. Life in Hell: Kick ass, and brutal metal. This song pulverizes your bones. The song is about someone who is self-absorbed, self-obsessed, and how they eventually get caught. Basically, this type of person thinks they only matter.
3. Night Stalker: Warning, contains epic and insane riffage. The Song really emulates a psychotic feeling when you are in the middle of a war zone. Ice T is perfect in the spoken middle section. The song is about a special ops helicopter division who carries out their mission under the cover of darkness.  
4. Dogs of Chernobyl: The way the acoustic guitars work with the heavy electric guitars is astonishing. The song is a metaphor for a twisted love song.
5. Sacrifice: Another stunning song that contains cool guitar chords and arpeggio arrangements akin to Rush like Hemispheres. The song is about black magic. The mind has the potential to believe something is real if you put enough power into it. 
6. Junkie: Just a pounding, heavy song. The beginning vocals sound like Def Leppard when they process their voices, similar to the beginning of Pour Some Sugar on Me. The song is about drugs and the power of the mind.
7. Psychopathy: opens with tumultuous drumming. Somewhat of an introduction to "Killing Time". The song is about the disastrous effects of drugs prescribed to people with ADD/ADHD.
8. Killing Time: Good song about procrastination. 
9. Soldier On: An excellent song about being in a peculiar relationship and having the insight that you have to leave. 
10. Célebutante: A supersonic song that sounds like old school thrash metal. About a person who pursues fame mindlessly and you want to stay away from.
11. Mission to Mars: Cool opening riffs. It is a fun song, but awesome how it quickly turns into something sinister. Also, there is a reference to Rust in Peace in the spoken word section. It is an entertaining story about how we started on Mars, moved onto Earth, and then went back to Mars.
12. We'll Be Back: Super fast, heavy old school metal. It is a response to Megadeth doubters and speaks for itself.
13. Police Truck: This is a Dead Kennedys cover. 
14. This Planet's on Fire (Burn in Hell): A Sammy Hagar cover. I like this version a lot except for Sammy Hagar's vocals. 

Essentially, the band sounds invigorated and ready to kick ass. My stand out tracks are: The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead, Life in Hell, Night Stalkers, Dogs of Chernobyl, Psychopathy, Killing Time, Célebutante, Mission to Mars, and We'll Be Back.

Please leave a comment and let me know what your thoughts are. 

Musicians

• Dave Mustaine–lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, additional bass
• Kiko Loureiro–lead guitar, backing vocals, flute on "Night Stalkers"
• Dirk Verbeuren–drums
• Steve Di Giorgio – bass

Additional Musicians

• Ice-T–guest vocals on "Night Stalkers"
• Sammy Hagar–guest vocals on "This Planet's on Fire"

Producers: Dave Mustaine & Chris Rakestraw