Probably the only band to put up a weak track as their first, the album opens up to SUDDEN DEATH which is a MEGADETH standard track and honestly quite passable. The real album starts from PUBLIC ENEMY NO.1. Bass and cymbals come crashing down on your ears at the very start and you know it has begun. All your enemies flash before your eyes and you cant keep away from giving an evil grin when Dave screams “you wont believe the things I have done – and the killing was just for fun”. Probably the most explosive track with epic riff-age.
WHOSE LIFE (IS IT ANYWAY)” is my personal pick from the album – you still don’t understand how this pothead comes up with such layered tracks with such simple melody. Best part is there is nothing special – simple riff, simple basic thrash rudiments but it stands out as a perfect early morning eargasm. Only Dave can make lyrics like Your Sa-Sa-Security” and still like-able GUN, DRUGS, MONEY takes you into a rapidly changing “laid-back” to “feet hammering” songwriting. NEVER DEAD is the most technically sound and high production track in the album and probably the bands best choice for releasing it as a single. NEW WORLD ORDER is reminiscent of TESTAMENT-ish way of chorus repetitions which literally make you sing like you are in a church choir after ever, Amen! BLACK SWAN is a shred-fest and MILLENIUM OF THE BLIND tells you where the METALLICA sound actually came from – a track which proves heavy need not be fast! I literally closed my eyes to grasp the heaviness when Dave sings at a lower tone “lies follow – blindly” .
The album ends with 13 which is aptly placed, aptly named and perfect end to a realm of Thrash Metal lords who stick to their roots and make music not to sell but because they love to.
Bottom Line
The "Big One" out of the "Big Four" MEGADETH manage to keep up the benchmark with this release - catchy tunes and sinister lyrics make this a instant winner (leaving behind their nemesis METALLICA).
