Favorite Recent Megadeth Album? Options

[Kristofer Dahl]

Being a big Megadeth fan I have listened their classic albums (Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction, Youthanasia) for countless hours.

However I have always been a little dissapointed with their new albums, with one exception...

"The system has failed" is a fantastic album filled with all sorts of powerful songs, and as a bonus in features epic soloing by Chris Poland. There are so many different types of strong tunes on this album it's had to choose just one - but here is a cool example:



Can you recommend another recent Megadeth album for me perhaps?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Steve Gilfield]

Same for me, 'the system has failed' is a really good album.

'United Abominations' is another really good ''new'' album from Megadeth.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Steve Gilfield: Oct 8 2020, 01:15 PM

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Can you recommend another recent Megadeth album for me perhaps?

Nice! I like the "classic" sound here! I haven't enjoyed Megadeth's recent albums. Crypting Writings is the last one that I've enjoyed, but maybe it's me that I'm listening other stuff. However, I've enjoyed some tracks from their newest album "Dystopia" which includes Kiko Loureiro, one of my favs guitarists.

This instrumental is really cool:




and this song reminds me to Rust in Piece times:

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

KIKO is the best thing to happen to MEGADETH since Marty joined up way back in the day IMHO after Chris Poland was shown the door. You are spot on in appreciating what he brought to the group. They really did themselves a favor getting him in. The last guy is a monster player to be sure. But he was a bit too "Clinical" IMHO for a band like Megadeth. His leads were impressive, but ..... didn't really have the depth of emotion and melodic connection to the songs that KIKO seems to be able to bring to the equation. I had high hopes for every axe man to join the band since Marty left and while all were fine players, none felt like a part of the band til KIKO. Just my thoughts, but yeah, thank God Dave was not threatened by staggering talent of a player like kiko, as the band really needed his energy. He's way better than Dave. Let's just be honest. I love Dave. But, he sorta pales to KIKO. If there is any player than could become the next global EVH, I'd vote Kiko.

Todd

Nice! I like the "classic" sound here! I haven't enjoyed Megadeth's recent albums. Crypting Writings is the last one that I've enjoyed, but maybe it's me that I'm listening other stuff. However, I've enjoyed some tracks from their newest album "Dystopia" which includes Kiko Loureiro, one of my favs guitarists.

This instrumental is really cool:




and this song reminds me to Rust in Piece times:

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 10 2020, 02:22 AM

[Kristofer Dahl]

'United Abominations' is another really good ''new'' album from Megadeth.

Thanks - I listened to it yesterday evening. There is some cool guitar work for sure - but to me this album suffers the same problem as most 'new' megadeth albums. The vocals are done in a hurry: there is very little arrangement support the vocal melodies which are often pretty weak themselves.

The reason Megadeth & Metallica stood out to me, is because not only did their songs feature blistering thrash arrangements, but also powerful melodies one could hum along with.

Crypting Writings is the last one that I've enjoyed, but maybe it's me that I'm listening other stuff.

Yeah Crypting Writings and Risk have some decent songs, though to my ears those albums lack the mojo and energy of earlier material. I guess this was the point where band chemistry (especially with Marty) started going downhill. Cryptic Writings has some very cool lead lines from Marty btw.

However, I've enjoyed some tracks from their newest album "Dystopia" which includes Kiko Loureiro, one of my favs guitarists.

Yeah this one feels a little bit better, I think Kiko definitely helped raised the bar. I still feel Dave does more "talking" than singing here, but I will give it another chance.

KIKO is the best thing to happen to MEGADETH since DAVE Marty joined up way back in the day.

Imho Chris Poland coming back and the album "the system has failed" would qualify for this. To me Chris Poland's work is easily as innovative and cool as Marty's - though very different.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Gabriel Leopardi]

One moment... I thought that Poland only played on 1 song as a guest... does he play the whole album???

Now I need to listen to the whole thing!!

Yeah this one feels a little bit better, I think Kiko definitely helped raised the bar. I still feel Dave does more "talking" than singing here, but I will give it another chance.

I also miss Dave's melodic side. I can hear it in the song that you've shared, but I don't find it very often in the newer stuff.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

Imho Chris Poland coming back and the album "the system has failed" would qualify for this. To me Chris Poland's work is easily as innovative and cool as Marty's - though very different.

Agreed! I don't know how I forgot about CHRIS POLAND coming back in to the band for some guest solo work. He's an amazing player and brought a Jazz Vibe to Death Metal which was brilliant. I'm a big fan of his playing and somehow forgot all about his work after Peace Sells. Still, he didn't really join back up, he just played a few guest solos. So not really the injection of fresh blood that kiko seems to have added to things eh? Still, Chris is a brilliant player and those solos are very cool.


He had solos on Bonus tracks for Several songs on Rust In Peace which were released in 2004 as part of the "REMASTER"

1990: Rust in Peace (Poland's solos appear on the demo recordings of "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", "Take No Prisoners", and "Rust in Peace... Polaris", which were released as bonus tracks on the 2004 remaster)

One moment... I thought that Poland only played on 1 song as a guest... does he play the whole album???

Now I need to listen to the whole thing!!



I also miss Dave's melodic side. I can hear it in the song that you've shared, but I don't find it very often in the newer stuff.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 9 2020, 09:09 PM

[Steve Gilfield]

Every lead guitar player in Megadeth was way better than Mustaine.

I remember him saying in an interview that he wants guitar players who are better than him

As for the successor of EVH, I wouldn't vote for Kiko; There are a few guitarists who are better candidates.

He's way better than Dave. Let's just be honest. I love Dave. But, he sorta pales to KIKO. If there is any player than could become the next global EVH, I'd vote Kiko.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

Very true Dave does pick top notch guys. Usually studio guys, or mavens like Friedmen/kiko, etc. I always liked Dave's lead style and how it connected with the rythm parts. It became sort of thematic for "Thrash" during PEACE SELLS.

Everyone has their own idea of who might become the "next eddie" of course. Kiko impressed me from way back in ANGRA and being the next eddie is not just about the instrument imho, but about becoming a cultural icon. Kiko has a huge international following, just like EVH and that's part of why I see him stepping in to global superstardom. But hey, it's just me and my 2 cents

Who would you pick for the "mantle of Godhood" left by EVH?

Every lead guitar player in Megadeth was way better than Mustaine.

I remember him saying in an interview that he wants guitar players who are better than him

As for the successor of EVH, I wouldn't vote for Kiko; There are a few guitarists who are better candidates.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 10 2020, 12:03 AM

[Steve Gilfield]

I agree with what you said, everyone has their own idea on who is the next EVH.

But if we want to pick one the unbiased way, we have to find things that Eddie did, and then find which modern player has most of those attributes.

For example, Eddie created an iconic guitar (colour-wise, pickup wise etc). So did Vai with his revolutionary Jem.

Very true Dave does pick top notch guys. Usually studio guys, or mavens like Friedmen/kiko, etc. I always liked Dave's lead style and how it connected with the rythm parts. It became sort of thematic for "Thrash" during PEACE SELLS.

Everyone has their own idea of who might become the "next eddie" of course. Kiko impressed me from way back in ANGRA and being the next eddie is not just about the instrument imho, but about becoming a cultural icon. Kiko has a huge international following, just like EVH and that's part of why I see him stepping in to global superstardom. But hey, it's just me and my 2 cents

Who would you pick for the "mantle of Godhood" left by EVH?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

So who do you think is a good candidate? There are quite a few to choose from.

I agree with what you said, everyone has their own idea on who is the next EVH.

But if we want to pick one the unbiased way, we have to find things that Eddie did, and then find which modern player has most of those attributes.

For example, Eddie created an iconic guitar (colour-wise, pickup wise etc). So did Vai with his revolutionary Jem.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Steve Gilfield]

As I said we need to compile a list of Eddie's characteristics and then check who matches them the most

But if we are talking about monsters of guitar, there are a few who are on God-mode

I'd pick Guthrie Govan.

So who do you think is a good candidate? There are quite a few to choose from.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

I'd be hard pressed to make a complete list of all of his characteristics as a player. That's for sure! i was more talking about his place in the global culture of being a Guitar God loved the world over by musicians and music fans. But only time will tell. No matter what we think, history and culture will wend it's way forward and the mantle of Guitar God will rest easy on someones shoulders, or at least I hope so

Govan is a legendary player to be sure. In terms of creativity and ability, he's one of a very few. He doesn't quite have the same reach in terms of cultural impact that EVH had though. He has a fan base, but it's much more focused around musicians. EVH was loved and respected by millions of folks who never played an instrument, as well as hardcore musicians. That's part of what made him so special imho. You can ask just about anyone on earth and they have probably heard of VanHalen and Eddie. With Guthrie, it's not quite the same. Regular music loving folks may never have heard of Guthrie or his band / music.

As I said we need to compile a list of Eddie's characteristics and then check who matches them the most

But if we are talking about monsters of guitar, there are a few who are on God-mode

I'd pick Guthrie Govan.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Steve Gilfield]

Well then, if we are taking into account the amount of people a guitar player has reached, then we should be talking about super music stars who are globally known (Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath).

And definitely Kiko is not int that category. Like you said about Govan, he has a fan base but regular music loving folks may never have heard of Kiko or his band/music.

That's why in order to find EVH's successor, it is necessary to list the things that make him who he was, and try to find who has most of those. Comparing apples to apples

I'd be hard pressed to make a complete list of all of his characteristics as a player. That's for sure! i was more talking about his place in the global culture of being a Guitar God loved the world over by musicians and music fans. But only time will tell. No matter what we think, history and culture will wend it's way forward and the mantle of Guitar God will rest easy on someones shoulders, or at least I hope so

Govan is a legendary player to be sure. In terms of creativity and ability, he's one of a very few. He doesn't quite have the same reach in terms of cultural impact that EVH had though. He has a fan base, but it's much more focused around musicians. EVH was loved and respected by millions of folks who never played an instrument, as well as hardcore musicians. That's part of what made him so special imho. You can ask just about anyone on earth and they have probably heard of VanHalen and Eddie. With Guthrie, it's not quite the same. Regular music loving folks may never have heard of Guthrie or his band / music.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Todd Simpson]

Sure Along that line yeah. But comparing super groups with EVH is not really apples to apples either. Metallica is HUGE and global, sure. same with Maiden. Yet, none of the guitarists in either group could be said to be on the same level EVH in terms of being a sheer cultural icon imho. After all, the band is "VanHalen", named after Eddie and his brother. Metallica and Maiden aren't named after any person in particular after all. The style of play that EVH is known for is specifically linked to him as a person. The same couldn't really be said for any of the guitar players in Metallica/Maiden etc. right? They have great guitar players to be sure, but as members of a group. EVH is really the star of VanHalen imho. He wrote the music, he came up with the legendary riffs, his lead style is assocaited with him personally, much more so than any of the guys in those other bands. See what I mean? he sorta stands alone.

I agree on Kiko not being known outside of the guitar community. He just has a really big following globally as a musician due to his work in ANGRA and MEGADETH, so he has a huge amount of fans on the other side of the globe even before joining megadeth. That was the connective tissue between him and eddie. But clearly, he is nowhere near the level of culturual icon yet that EVH became. I was suggesting that perhaps he could become that. he isn't there yet

So the main thing to compare would be, is there an iconic player whose music is specifically associate with him as a person, even more than his band. Due to EVH having such broad appeal, way beyond the guitar community, the only person that even comes to mind is PRINCE, who is not nearly to the level of guitar player as EVH and who is also passed away. He does have huge respect among players and non players. Anybody else come to mind?

I've got it!! "CROSSOVER VIRTUOSSO"! A player who creates music that is loved both within and outside of the musician community, and who has a high degree of virtuosity, and who has a unique style of play and cultural "gravitas". That about covers it

Egad. We may NEVER see one like him ever again.

Well then, if we are taking into account the amount of people a guitar player has reached, then we should be talking about super music stars who are globally known (Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath).

And definitely Kiko is not int that category. Like you said about Govan, he has a fan base but regular music loving folks may never have heard of Kiko or his band/music.

That's why in order to find EVH's successor, it is necessary to list the things that make him who he was, and try to find who has most of those. Comparing apples to apples

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 11 2020, 01:58 AM

[Steve Gilfield]

Totally agree with all you said man!

EVH's place is a difficult one to fill for sure!

Prince is a great example but yeah, his guitar skills are not that great as Eddie's.

Steve Lukather comes into my mind; everyone has heard at least one of his songs (especially Africa which became popular recently).
His abilities are great, and he is a master of one-takes

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Steve Gilfield: Oct 11 2020, 10:17 AM

[Todd Simpson]

Good point! I had not thought about Lukather but yeah he certainly has the global reach, and chops, and he's still with us!! The more I think about it, it's very hard to put someone in place of Eddie. That period of history may never be replicated ever again. Popular music doesn't seem to be very guitar oriented as it was during the prime of VanHalen. Back when, "Rock" and "Pop" were not that different in terms of being on the charts and selling records. Virtuosity seems more focused on the musician community these days. John Petrucci came to mind as he's got reach and chops, but his individual style isn't quite as iconic and the band doesn't crack the pop charts the way VH did, then again, who does? from the late 70s all the way through the 2000's, (30 years of hit making) VH would routinely chart near the top along with pop acts. After they stopped putting out chart topping music, they still kept selling records/units/ etc. We may never see that confluence of things ever again. I sure hope I"m wrong about that though. Who knows? The next EVH is probably watching youtube vids and learning the instrument as we speak. I sure hope so!

Totally agree with all you said man!

EVH's place is a difficult one to fill for sure!

Prince is a great example but yeah, his guitar skills are not that great as Eddie's.

Steve Lukather comes into my mind; everyone has heard at least one of his songs (especially Africa which became popular recently).
His abilities are great, and he is a master of one-takes

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Oct 12 2020, 10:14 PM