Customer Reviews

United Abominations

5 star:		(121)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

This album is awesome. I haven't been listening to Meagdeth for too long, but I have all of their albums from Killing Is My Business through Youthanasia, and The System Has Failed. For me though, I gravitate more toward 80's Magdeth, the real thrash sound, basically their first 4 albums. I was somewhat disappointed with Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia, because they weren't really thrash, but they grew on me. The System Has Failed was a relief to me because they sort of went back to their thrash roots. But, this album blows it away. Thrash Megadeth is back! I've always loved how Megadeth has multiple solos throughout their songs. This album is a total solo-fest. Solos everywhere. This album is heavy, loud, and fast. It's a very political album, obviously, but Dave tells it like it is. If you like Megadeth you will love this album. If you like metal in general, you'll love it. It does not disappoint. Highlights for me are Washington Is Next!, United Abominations, Gears of War, A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free), Play For Blood, and Burnt Ice. Burnt Ice has blazing solos. The whole second half of the song is basically a solo. I was rattling my goddamn head so much I got dizzy. Hell yeah. Nowadays, Metallica only wishes they can make an album like this, considering their last effort had no solos whatsoever. Megadeth's bringing the thrash back. Rock on!

A number of established bands have taken a more political stance than ever before the past couple years, and Megadeth is no different. Since Dave Mustaine re-formed the band (with a new lineup yet again), he's back on track and looking back to the glory days of 80's thrash metal that he helped pioneer. "United Abominations" is just that, as Megadeth makes their debut on Roadrunner Records with this raw sounding, politically laced treat that may very well be the album of the year. Opening track "Sleepwalker" slams forward with Mustaine's scratchy voice and ripping guitars, while "Washington is Next!", "Never Walk Alone...A Call to Arms", "Play for Blood", and the title track are all excellent metal blasts as well. What longtime fans of the band will notice right off the bat however is a remake of Megadeth's mid-90's hit single, "A Tout Le Monde". Here, we get "A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)" which is a faster, more driven version of the song, and it also features Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia on vocals as well. This is Megadeth at their most raw and primitive sounding since "Peace Sells...", which in itself is really saying something. Undoubtedly the best metal album of the year so far, "United Abominations" is a metal masterpiece.

It's a statement from Dave Mustaine to Metallica and the rest of the metal world saying "This is how it's done kids."

The style is like a cross between "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?", "Rust in Peace", and "Countdown to Extinction" (their 3 best albums from their golden years). The new band spear-headed by the Drover brothers is incredible. Once upon a time, the Abbott brothers (Dimebag and Vinnie Paul) almost joined Megadeth. Circumstances kept that from happening that time, but not this time (too bad Glen Drover has since left the band). Glen Drover is completely awesome and his smooth flowing style complements Mustaine's rough and tough style perfectly. Shawn Drover is the best drummer since the original drummer, the great Gar Samuelson. Come to think of it, they sound a lot like Dimebag and Vinnie.

And it's true what the Amazon reviewer says...the fact that a band, 25 years after its formation, can release an album like this is incredible. Make no mistake, this IS one of Megadeth's BEST albums. It really shows what an absolute genius Mustaine is. The man is just dripping with awesome riffs and solos. He is the best and most prolific metal riff creator of all time. Let's hope this is the start of a new golden era of Megadeth.

This album starts right, with a great name, best in whole Deth's career, it's almost worth the 12 bucks alone. But it also continues right, since this is the best Megadeth release since the Countdown/Youthanasia era. And talking about those 2 discs, I find that Abominations fits exactly in their middle in terms of style, despite the press-releases and some reviews here.

What you see in Abominations is a mix of: 1) tons of inteligent, hooky, captivating and sometimes even cheesy vocal lines - probably Mustaine's best ever - that we saw in Countdown (remember Skin o'my teeth, Sweating Bullets, Foreclosure of a Dream, etc.); 2) those nice catching melodies that abounded on Youthanasia and Countdown; 3) lots of fast, melodic but aggressive solos that are placed everywhere, before the chorus, after the chorus, etc. like we had in RIP and Countdown; 4) a few well-positioned, interesting variations that we saw on Cryptic Writings; 5) Aggressive, full of hatred and indignation lyrics about war and politics, like we had from Peace Sells to Rust, and in System.

The band is strong, cohese, and the compositions are prime Deth stuff, like the old times. There's attitude, there's poise. Very few classic bands managed to come back to their signature style without sounding dated, like Mustaine's crew have done here. Abominations is no better than Peace, RIP and Countdown, but it does not let down metal fans. It's like Maiden's Somewhere in Time compared to Powerslave.

About the songs, Washington Is Next, with its very melodic guitars, awesome vocal lines and long chorus, is the best song here, already a classic, and that could well be on Countdown. Sleepwalker starts slow, but its a great opener, also showing lots of melody and catching singing. United Abominations and Amerikhastan practically have Mustaine speaking the lyrics, like in a protest, the first one is more melodic, the second a little more modern metal but no worries there, both very good. Gears of War is very aggressive, lots of riffing, a whispered chorus, great. The other new songs are also quite good, and any could be played live w/o problems.

And the A Tout Le Monde version with Lacuna Coil's singer (by far the hottest woman in metal's history) is good, but not as the original, which is THE benchmark for metal ballads. Cristina's singing fit quite well, but the song is played faster than before, which takes the emotion and desperation that Mustaine used to put in there with his unique voice. But a very bad version from any Megadeth song here is WAY better than a very good version from any Metallica's Saint Anger song.

The system has not failed and Deth will not rust in peace. Start the countdown to buying it.

Awesome CD from beginning to end. The sound of this album goes back to the Rust In Peace and Peace Sells era, and what a line-up! The guitars are heavy along with the bass and the drums will definately make your speakers thump! It's a shame that all of these new so called rock bands coming out can't sound this good. Maybe that's why I stick to the "old school" metal. Metallica should pay close attention to Mr. Mustane because he will take them to school and remind them how metal is supposed to sound!!!! Crank it up!

So I'd been looking forward to this album for a couple months. I didn't get my hopes up too much because while I thought that 'The System Has Failed' was a solid album, it didn't live up to my expectations. Megadeth lost their way a little with 'Cryptic Writings' and completely fell off for a while after that. Then 'The System Has Failed' comes out and it seemed like they were making a step in the right direction.

'United Abominations' is exactly what 'The System...' should have been. Melodic, well-made, and heavy. Dave's vocals are very good on the album, and while Marty isn't there still, Glen Drover does an excellent job and is an improvement over Poland. The album is great to listen to all the way through, no songs really stick out in my mind, rather, they all shine equally in their own way. Only complaint is the re-make of A Tout Le Monde. If you have heard the original version of the song, this version isn't quite as good (not terrible, though).

Bottom line: If you like Megadeth or metal in general this would be a good pick up. If you want to start building your Megadeth collection, this isn't a bad place to start.

Dave Mustaine has dusted off his guitar for this.. some blistering solos are on this cd. Lyrically it is broad. Political, personal ect.. This cd is better than 'System' which was better than 'Hero', which was better than 'Writings' ect... Now they (mustaine i should say) have come full circle with a great cd that delivers on all levels.
The only issue is the 'LeMonde' cover.. Its pretty horrid.. the original is much better.. Hate the fact that he is trying to spin some airplay by dueting. And the original SOUNDS much better. This is very cheesy. Sad for such a classic song. 'Washington is Next' is pretty bad as well. Points deducted...
If you liked older Megadeth. youll like this. Especially if you liked Rust In Peace.
If your affraid of Mustaine being a christian now and lightening up, think again.
Finally he has lived up to the promise of a great cd. Thanks Dave. Now you can actually say your band has surpassed Metallica. Better late than never. With good handling by RR records, this may sell better than Metallica's newer stuff as well.

The one thing I like the most about Dave Mustaine and Megadeth is that they're very consistent. No games played here. No punches pulled. They came to rock and that is that. This is metal you can believe in. Dave is gonna tell you a story of what he believes and what he doesn't, what he likes and dislikes. Oh yeah! Metal riffs aplenty! School is in session.

Sleepwalker - Great opening song. Much akin to Skin 'O Your Teeth or Reckoning Day. Straight-ahead rocker. No one is safe, when I close my eyes ... I come to take you alive! Perfect!

Washington Is Next! - Over the years Dave's political views have overshadowed the potency of some of the songs with his rhetoric and rantings, but not this time. Washingtone Is Next! is clear and concise and valid. Plus, it rox! Another killer tune. Great hooks.

Never Walk Alone...A Call To Arms - The opening riff sounds like something off of Peace Sells or Rust In Peace. Rocking. This is a cool tune. Great chorus. Grows on you. I know your enemy once was me!

United Abomination - It took four songs before Dave got to do his mock newscast. Last album it was the very first song. This little trick has become a Megadeth staple. This time it still works. United Abominations as a whole album is very politically tinted. This song rocks all the way up to the final part where Dave goes into his THERE WAS NO U.N. speech.

Gears Of War - Great intro. Another song that's just a straight-forward rocker. Electric, concise, driving. Gears of War!!!!

Blessed Be The Dead - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Great song. This is typical Megadeth in fine form. As a whole you can tell that Dave's hired guns are starting to groove as a musical unit. Where The System Has Failed was a choppy in places with a lot of thrown-together songs, this album is cohessive and flowing.

Play For Blood - Another solid tune. God, we missed Megadeth. Dave brings such attitude to his lyrics. Great!

A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free) - This is one of Dave's favorite songs. He considers it to be his masterpiece. Many will argue against this (including me). But it is a killer tune. Did he need to re-do it here? Probably not. Could have been a stumbling block on an otherwise smoothly-flowing ablum, buts it's not. In fact, it fits right in. Sang as a duet with Lacuna Coil's Christina Scabbia, this version is very cool. Is it better than the original. Maybe. It grows on you.

Amerikastan - The rant is here. Oh yeah! You knew it was coming. Dave has to have one at least once an album. Most of the time this really detracts from the song and here it does. This song is so politically fueled that it's nearly comical in nature. I'm not sure if that's was what Dave was going for. Got some cool spots, but overall, it bites. Jihad Joe, we're coming to get you! Are you kidding?

You're Dead - Great opening riff. The Megadeth dudes are grooving together. This song is pertty much filler but it's Megadeth filler and that makes it better than most. One day I'll dance on your grave, even if you're buried at sea.... Hmmmmm. Missing hooks. Not going to be your favorite song.

Burnt Ice - Actually a good album-closer. This is coherent and concise. Swirling riff that reminds me a little of The Scorpion. Definitely a lot of metal here. The drums sound good, the riffs are drilling, and Dave's lyrics are, for the most part, pretty intimidating.


Overall, United Abominations is about war and death and political upheaval and doom and destruction. It is also very metal and that's what you came for if you bought a Megadeth CD. Well.....Mustaine delivers and Megadeth remain the North Star of metal, firmly planted in the heavens. Everything is right with the universe because Dave is pissed and Megadeth are coming to rock you into the ground.


Dig it!

If you've been with Megadeth from the beginning, you've been craving an album where Dave finally goes back to his roots...and it's arrived! If you've been a fan of the "progressive" Megadeth of the past decade, this one's going to send you running for cover!
I'm surprised this was advertised as a "cast" album...I don't see from where that label came. This is 100% pure Megadeth, as they began in the mid eighties...fast and heavy, with signature Mustane complex rifts. It seems that Dave has found a younger, more energetic band to back him up (none of the regulars that have appeared over the years), and the youth comes through. I won't go over the track list, but they are all different...the only thing longtime fans might take as a recycle is the inclusion of "A Tout Le Monde". Do not be fooled. This isn't the same old ballad...it's faster and heavier than the original, and not only that, but it's a duet with Cristina Scabbia...the new version is unbelievable!
This one will leave you speechless. Dave, I bow before you, and thanks for giving us pure metal in an age of mindless ghetto garbage! Everyone, just say I warned you if your stereo erupts into smoke and flames before the CD is finished!

This album isn't awesome, but it is great. Good to see Dave rose above System Has Failed. I felt that album had a handful of good tunes and the rest was garbage. Here we see Megs back on the track to metal. Alot of the riffing reminds me of Rust In Peace, specifically Take No Prisoners. I don't know if this will be Dave's swan song or not, he has hinted at it, but I'm sure sales will be great. My biggest beef is that the Out on the Tiles track is only on the Japan import. I'm pretty mad about that. And, that being said, I'll probably trade away my copy and get that one when it's available.
Best Tracks:
Sleepwalker
Washington is Next!
Blessed are the Dead
Play for Blood
A Tout le Monde--I like it better than the original
You're Dead
Burnt Ice

The only other complaint is when there is so much talking instead of singing. I don't like it and I don't see those tracks translating well to live performances. It seems like during the talky songs, the music is background filler and rather boring. Some of it is like carry over from the last album. Hopefully if there is a followup to this there won't be anymore talk tracks. Dave has a great voice in my opinion and he surpassed Hetfield's ruined voice years ago.