MEGADETH

At every Megadeth release, we all ask the same questions: will it be better than the counterpart (Metallica)? Was that split back in the day actually a good thing? Fans have been divided for decades, sometimes even breaking into heated arguments. Despite the ups and downs both bands experienced, Dave Mustaine kept pursuing his vision of thrash metal. And so the question remains: will this (allegedly) final album, closing four decades on the metal scene, finally clarify those doubts once and for all?

The album starts strong with ‘Tipping Point’. The first single is a crushing track, packed with fast-paced solos and a mid-song rhythm change that keeps the tension high until the end. The momentum carries into ‘I Don’t Care’, where guitars remain held high like a shield. While the lyrics touch familiar ground, the solos are majestic and remind us exactly why Mustaine’s guitar remains unmistakable. With ‘Hey God’, the lyrical focus deepens and becomes more personal, carrying a vibe reminiscent of ‘Angry Again’, blending tension with controlled aggression. ‘Let There Be Shred’ pushes the accelerator back down hard. One of the best songs of Mustaine’s career, built on rocky riffs, sharp tempo changes, and inspired solos, it already feels like a classic. ‘Puppet Parade’, released just ahead of the album, shifts gears by trading speed for groove and structure, driven by a catchy chorus that balances accessibility and bite.

The second half opens with ‘Another Bad Day’, a mid-tempo track with darker guitar tones and a more melodic approach, though it feels slightly bland compared to its predecessors. ‘Made To Kill’ brings things back into focus with a drum-led intro and a solid return to old-school thrash. Fast riffs alternate with more rhythmic sections and solos. Continuing the flow, ‘Obey The Call’ represents the Trust moment of the album. It doesn’t quite reach that same peak, but it comes close. After a melancholic opening, the song explodes into aggressive riffing and a powerful ending. In contrast, ‘I Am War’ is probably the weakest track here, similar in feel to ‘Another Bad Day’, with a chorus repeated a few too many times, and its placement just before the closer doesn’t help its impact.

Then comes ‘The Last Note’, the true masterpiece of the album, providing a powerful emotional close. A small tear may well roll down your cheek, knowing this could be the very last song ever released by Megadeth, another historic band to thank for pushing boundaries and bringing countless fans to our side of metal. The cover of Ride The Lightning, Metallica’s song—or perhaps Mustaine’s song as well—feels like a final punctuation mark on over forty years in the metal scene. This may not be Megadeth’s best album, but that hardly matters. Megadeth is a dignified album that respects the band’s history. Before that bittersweet closure fully settles, let’s answer the original question: was the split back in the day a good thing? Yes. Otherwise, we would not have countless masterpieces. You will be mega missed.