The System Has Failed

Megadeth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0002SPQ1I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (387 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,170 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Progressive Metal
  • #39 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Thrash & Speed Metal

Editorial Reviews

Revolver

"This is Megadeth's most vengeful, poignant, and musically complex offering since 1992's 'Countdown to Extinction'...4 stars"

"...raking riffs recapture the spidery grandiosity and gothic melodrama...Mustaine's paranoid, apocalyptic sneer hasn't sounded this relevant in years."

...best effort since Megadeth's 1990 speed-metal classic "Rust In Peace."

Reuters

Vintage Megadeth staple of cynical lyrics, chugging riffs and dueling guitar solos...also features rich vocal harmonies and string arrangements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

357 of 388 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long review but worth the read..................., September 14, 2004

By 

Jeremiah Tilley (Birmingham, Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The System Has Failed (Audio CD)

Man, if you gotta go....go out in style. This is a FANTASTIC album. I've read some reviews that were pretty negative and I've noticed a few things that seem consistant in them.

One, it's almost ALWAYS their first listen that they hate it. I'm a huge metal fan with over 1500 cds. I love all of the different genres of metal. Death, Nu, Classic, Progressive, but my favorite is definately Thrash. One thing I've learned with all of those bands and styles: You usually will not know what you think about ANYTHING on the first listen. I've listened to TSHF many times and love it. The first time I listened to it, I liked it, but not as much as TWNAH (I really can not understand why a lot of people don't like that album.) This is because they were all new songs. You can't sing along to a brand new song nor can you get emersed in the music of one. Why? Because you've never heard it before! Of course you're going to like something you can sing along to and know every single time-change better than something that you don't know where it's going. As I said in the St. Anger review....people just jump the gun too much with music. They are not fair to the bands, songs, nor themselves half the time because they listen to 30 seconds and decide if they like it or not. If you are reading this review looking for the true purpose of a review...to help you decide if you will like the product or not....then I urge you to give this, and all albums, a chance before you make an opinion on it.

Second, and lord is this a big one....everyone seems to compare everything to something else. I'm aware of it and still I do it. But, after a few listens, I try to ignore the past albums and let the new one stand on it's own legs. Don't say in your head "Well, this just isn't like....." That is simply saying you refuse to listen to it any other way than what you EXPECTED it to be. Don't put this in, thinking "Okay.....Is this gonna be what I expected?" Listen to what it IS. Hell no it's not what you expected. Why? Cuz Dave Mustaine didn't call you up on the phone and ask you for your input.
I'm putting it on the record: Rust In Peace is the greatest thrash metal album of all time (in my opinion.) No, this is not Rust In Peace 2. No, this is not Countdown to Extinction 2. Stop comparing it to them. I think another reviewer on here said it better than anyone. If you compare everything recorded to Rust In Peace, you will be disappointed. So why would you do that? Nothing can top that album or even equal it as far as i'm concerned. If you want Rust In Peace 2, then put Return to Hangar on repeat all day. Dave finally answered everyone's request and gave the fans a return to that form. It has similar lyrics (obviously) and a near exact music structure. It was nice to re-visit that album with something new but there's no way I'd want him to record another album just like RIP. You know why? Not only would it just be stagnant and not let him move forward as a song writer and musician, but it would begin to take some of what I love about RIP away. I don't want to split the love I have for that album over 2 or even more albums just like it. I have it to listen to forever and that's all I need.

I know this is long and seems like i'm just ranting and raving about my opinions. Yes, this is a way of expressing my opinions about this album. But...I've just read so many reviews by people that are just ignorant. If you don't like the album, fine. But how can someone respect that opinion if you do it with such a closed mind? Pry that sucker open and stop living in Hanger 18. You won't find something better so move on.
I know some of you want to move right on down to that pretty little button that says no, my review wasn't helpful to you. Go ahead. It won't hurt me any. But I've read over this several times and believe this is very helpful....to someone willing to give something a chance.

69 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without a doubt, the best Megadeth since Rust in Peace, November 23, 2004

By 

Joseph M. Siegler (Garland, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The System Has Failed (Audio CD)

After the last few albums, I had decided that I wasn't buying Megadeth albums anymore. The last two studio albums really had turned me off of Megadeth. However, a new version of Megadeth is back. Dave Mustaine had posted song snippets from this new album in full on the Megadeth website. All of them sounded pretty promising so I decided to check out the new Megadeth.

That was a very good choice. This is by far the best Megadeth album since Rust in Peace, which is Megadeth's "White Album". The album is entirely solid, and doesn't seem to have anything "slow" like Moto Psycho was like on the last album. This is a good solid Megadeth album that envokes memories of the classics from the past (Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction) while having a good clean current sound, unlike some metal albums which sound too muddied.

Most definitely worth a pickup if you've ever liked Megadeth in the past.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Megadeth offers a latter-day masterpiece, September 22, 2004

By 

Mr. E (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The System Has Failed (Audio CD)

In 2002, Dave Mustaine disbanded Megadeth after suffering a nerve injury to his arm; at the time, he didn't know whether he would ever be able to play at full capacity again. Two years later, his arm has healed, and it's obvious from listening to the new album that he's found renewed passion for his craft.

Simply put, The System Has Failed is a great album. And if the rumors are true that this is the last Megadeth album, then what an album to go out with. It's definitely not Rust in Peace, so don't expect that -- Dave will never again write the kind of amazing riffs and crazy arrangements that permeated that album. But there's plenty of meat here, and it's signature Megadeth: tight, compact rhythms, awesome solos, and some melody interspersed here and there to make this a very eclectic, balanced and diverse album. Some songs sound like they could have been on Youthanasia or Cryptic Writings; some sound like they could have been on So Far So Good So What, or maybe Peace Sells. There's a little something for everyone here.

Here's a song by song breakdown:

1) Blackmail the Universe - 10/10. Fantastic song with some progressive influences. It took a while to grow on me, but that's only because it doesn't follow the typical verse/chorus/verse/chorus format in most rock. The arrangement is interesting, the musicianship is tight, and this is old-school Megadeth all the way -- heavy as hell, and Dave and lead player Chris Poland shred on this one.

2) Die Dead Enough - 8/10. This is the "radio song." The music isn't as complex or interesting as most on the album, but the melodies are catchy. You'll find yourself singing this one to yourself.

3) Kick the Chair - 10/10. Another old-school song; this one just shreds. Some off-kilter melodies at the beginning, and then Dave and Chris trade off solos at the end. Just like the good ol' days. Heavy thrash song here.

4) The Scorpion - 9/10. This one has some really nice melody, especially in the chorus, but it's also heavy and features some nice Poland solos. Has a borderline "epic" feel to it, and there's some crunchy, interesting palm-muting riffage behind the chorus.

5) Tears in a Vial - 8/10. Not the heaviest song, but again, the melody is addicting here, and the solos are great as always. Sounds like a song that could have been on Cryptic Writings.

6) I Know Jack - 9/10. The only reason this song doesn't get a 10 is because it's only 40 seconds long. It's kind of an instrumental; no Dave vocals here, just some clips from a famous political debate. See if you can hear it.

7) Back in the Day - 10/10. Another fantastic song. Very fast. There's less melody in this song, but that would appeal more to old-school fans. It also seems like there's a bit of an Iron Maiden influence in this song, especially with the galloping riffs at the end. Great riffs, solos, and flow. Great song.

8) Something That I'm Not - 9/10. Didn't like this one all that much at first, but then it grew on me. Not really fast, but it has some heavy riffs, and the lyrics are hilarious: they're quite obviously about Lars Ulrich of Metallica. A hidden gem here.

9) Truth Be Told - 6/10. Not one of the strongest offerings here. The end is cool, with some decent shredding and solos, but the beginning seems disjointed, and the first half melody doesn't quite catch. The second half of the song salvages it, though.

10) Of Mice and Men - 9/10. This is another one that had to grow on me. Has kind of a Crypic Writings feel, and at first I didn't like the main melody in the chorus, but it grew on me over time. This song actually has some personal lyrics from Dave that border on uplifting. Solid song.

11) Shadow of Deth - 9/10. Just like "I Know Jack," this one only gets a nine because it's so short. Awesome harmonizing guitars throughout. This one is another quasi-intrumental; there are clips of someone speaking (can't tell if it's Dave or not), but the music is the highlight here.

12) My Kingdom - 7/10. One of the weaker offerings here, but it's starting to grow on me. It has a talking-style verse that didn't sound quite right at first, but there's decent chug throughout.

If you're a Megadeth fan, new-school or old-school, I definitely recomment you give this album a shot. The lyrics range from personal to political, and the music draws on all eras of the band while introducing some new ideas and innovation. Terrific effort by Mustaine. Can't wait to see the new lineup on tour.