Album Review: Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… And the Dead! (Tradecraft/Universal)

Legendary thrash metal band, Megadeth are back with The Sick, The Dying… And the Dead! Their new studio album and the follow-up to the critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning album, Dystopia. The new album, Megadeth’s sixteenth studio release, is out on September 2nd, 2022 via Tradecraft/Universal.

Hopefully, a band that should need no introduction, Megadeth continue to prove their relevancy with strong album release after strong album release. Way beyond the height of the thrash metal scene back in the 80s. Yet, 2022 has Megadeth re-entering into a battered and bruised world, something that has a colossal effect on the music industry and bands around the world. The fight for survival in a ‘dog eat, dog world’ has never been more intense.

So, what’s an old-school thrash metal band to do? Do what they do best. Thrash freaking hard.

Opening the album with the title track, The Sick, The Dying… And the Dead! The wind howls, the cry of ‘bring out your dead’ and lone guitar melody starts things off well. Before the group kick things up a notch and reveal a polished head-banger that has some intriguing touches that show Megadeth aren’t looking to just turn back the years.

Though, Life in Hell is unmistakably thrashy and undeniably Megadeth, Mustaine’s growls and the racing riffs are as classic Megadeth as anything heard in the last decade or so.

Night Stalkers is a track with frenetic energy, an unexpected classical string segment and punctuated by guest Ice T’s powerful words. Always a welcome addition, even if it would have been nice to have him more prominently featured.

Dogs of Chernobyl follows that, and is a great example of some of the more storytelling aspects of this album. Something that is heavily reflected in the next two tracks, Sacrifice and Junkie. The latter, featuring lyrical content that might make a person or two feel uncomfortable. Especially how Mustaine delivers them. Though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, it certainly has an effect.

A short but heavy intermission called Psychopathy sits between the former track and the latter, Killing Time and the following Solider On! Two throwbacks that are heavy on the riffs, fire and thrash intensity. Classic Megadeth, albeit with that modern, clean production that they have focused on over the past couple of releases.

Do you miss the rawness of the Megadeth of old? Enjoy the past but enjoy what the group are putting out today too. A track like Célebutante is such a blast of heavy head-banging gold and Mission to Mars is very cool sounding. Some of that Megadeth imagination filtered through their classic thrash sound.

So, how does an old-school thrash metal band end their new album? They thrash freaking hard and make a pointed statement about their longevity with the track We’ll Be Back. A frenzied and fun finale.

The Sick, The Dying… And the Dead! is a kick-ass release. One of the better modern Megadeth releases and proof that you can’t count this band out at any stage.

Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… And the Dead! Full Track Listing:

1. The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!
2. Life In Hell
3. Night Stalkers (ft. Ice T)
4. Dogs Of Chernobyl
5. Sacrifice
6. Junkie
7. Psychopathy
8. Killing Time
9. Soldier On!
10. Célebutante
11. Mission To Mars
12. We’ll Be Back

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