Customer Reviews

World Needs a Hero

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(67)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

A number of Megadeth's fans gave up on them with the release of their last studio effort, RISK. Here was an album that was destined to put Megadeth on the map. This was the album that would assumed to make people aware that the foursome actually exist. The album went flat. It was not appreciated by the masses over all and it clearly made a lot of the band's core fans actually shun them. The album was artistically original. If it had been sung by any other band out there, it would have gone multi-platinum in a month. Heck, if Michael Stipe from REM sang Ecstasy, it would have definitely hit number one. It was just not Megadeth. Period. Capitol Punishment? Let's not get into that, shall we?

With a complete revamp in management, label and a couple of band members. Megadeth comes back in a furiously strong offering. The World Needs a Hero is everyone's dream of a good heavy album. Though not as fast and furious, the band is sure on the right track. What could be said is that they're mainly working off the rustthey gathered when they were on their metal-free holiday.

Here's the breakdown of the songs.

Disconnect: From the beginning of this song, a person can feel the poignancy and heart that was put into it. The song is definitely Dave all the way. The lyrics are strong in form and very connected. The chorus is downright thought-provoking. Music wise, it's very solid. A nice, sweet melodic middle with a sad solo, that can actually have you hum if you listen to it for some time.

The World Needs a Hero: Part of what actually makes Megadeth famous, is Dave going at it like a crazed paranoid lunatic. This song is it.

Moto Psycho: Part 2 of the Japanese-released Coming Home. The song is mainly a showcase of the incredible ability DeGrasso. His drums are all over this one and he brings it with style. I think anyone else touching the song, might actually make the song unlistenable. A greatr thing about the song is that if you hear it carefully, you might notice that there is no relation between the guitars and the drums. How they work out to bring out a good song? I don't know, but it definitely works.

1000 Times Goodbye: An excellent, far-out song that you just can't get rid of. With a minute-plus intro, the song is very strongly set. This song has the most gruesome solos ever on the album. A really good listen for all the dumped guys out there. Cheer up if your girlfriend throws your stuff out the window.

Burning Bridges:

Very brooding song. The song is very sinister. The guitars and the drums work on bringing out a fierce dark feel to it. I would like to think of it as the opposite of Metallica's No Leaf Clover.

Promises: I can't and won't really hide this. I'm in love with this song. When I first heard it, I was thinking that it's just incredible that Megadeth have the capability of bringing out such a great tune. This song is very personal to me in a number of dimensions and the way it's brought out is really great. The arrangement on it is just right and not too much. I guess this is Megadeth's answer to all those who think that the band can't bring out a ballad. The song is clearly much stronger than Metallica's Nothing Else Matters. A lot of people think that Dave's vocals are not right for right, but I can't imagine anyone else singing it. Except me that is. This song is dedicated to that special someone, wherever they are.

Racipe For Hate...Warhorse: The first part of this two parter is great. Dave still rants and rants like the way he's used to. The guitars in the middle are an added mix. You will be surprised when you hear the song.

Losing my Senses: A great song, but has to grow on you. A first listen won't do it the justice it deserves. The guitars and bass are top notch.

Dread and the Fugitive Mind: One of the fastest and most grueling tracks. The song is vintage Dave, but the main showcase has got to be the guitars in the end. That has got to be the best solo in a Megadeth album in years. The way it's even built up to the solo is great. Jimmy clearly knows his drums.

Silent Scorn: This instrumental is right in its place. It's a great opener for the song after it. The song has a very sad guitar to it and a trumpet that comes out of nowhere. You're clearly drawn into a desert with this kind of music, because right after...

Return to Hangar: You're taken back to the song that has clearly defined metal as it is. In that lonely Hangar in the desert. Hangar 18. The song is all that you might want it to be. Excellent lyrics, and out of this world music. Dave's mid piece guitar takes you slowly into a guitar-solo fight fest between him and Al. When: Have you ever heard of the stupid, big-built brother of the family? Well this song rightfully defines that. I don't know what Dave was trying to say by it, but it clearly did not come out right. The song gets better as you move along with it, but all in all, I think it's not the right song to include in a comeback album.

Finally, it's safe to say that Megadeth have sure come back to take back their throne as the Kings of Metal. Not that it belonged to anyone to start with. They took the break they needed and let's hope that they're out of this mid-life crisis of theirs. This is a good album. If you have never heard a Megadeth album before, it's high time you started.

The past few Megadeth discs have never hit me right away, and this one's no exception. At first listen it did nothing for me, but after a few more spins I have to say it's quite good. People fearing a repeat of 'Risk' have nothing to worry about (and personally, I thought it was cool that they took the chances they did on that album -- it may not have been their best, but there was some cool stuff on there, IMHO). This CD is a lot heavier, though still not as heavy as 'Rust In Peace' (and the band has yet to release an album as consistent as that one). '1000 Times Goodbye', 'Losing My Senses', 'Return To Hangar', and 'Moto Psycho' are standout cuts ('Moto Psycho' lacks the slow part at the end that the single featured -- I like the album version better, but that's just me.) New guitarist Al Pitrelli (formerly of Alice Cooper and Widowmaker among others) performs above and beyond in his premier outing with Megadeth (no surprises here), and the rest of the band is in top shape as well. The disc is strong lyrically and musically.

Bottom line: I'd recommend this one to old and new Megadeth fans alike, as well as to fans of the genre in general.

...Dave and co. have finally gotten a new album. Yes, I agree, It was a little bit dissapointing, but you can't make the same album. People who want Rust In Peace, well, you'll be dissapointed, but listen, IT WAS DONE, OK? 1 Rust in peace, that's it! That's all you need! If they made another, well, that wouldn't be very creative.

Anyway, here's the review of all the songs

1.Disconnnect-4. It sounds like the ol' glory days of 1992. Fun riff, had it in my head for weeks.

2.The World Needs A Hero-3.5. Great bass line! Needed more distortion, though.

3.Moto Psycho-3.7; Yes, it sounds alittle mainstream, but, times change. Good riff and filler solos.

4.1000 Times Goodbye-4.5; Ah, classic Megadeth riffs. A minute intro makes it all perfect.

5.Burning Bridges-3. It's ok. It sounds too old, that's all.

6.Promises-5. Everything about it is cool! Ther strings and the solos. MAN! WOW!

7.Recipe For Hate/Warhorse-5. GREAT SOLOS! Very apoylitic. Nice solo by Pitrelli in the begginining.

8.Losing My Senses-3.6; It's good. But, I didn't hear the strings.

9.Dread & The Fugitive Mind-5. WOW! Great chorus and solos.

10.Silent Scorn-5. VERY NICE. Good drumming and guitarwork.

11.Return To Hangar-5. BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL! SOLOS GALORE!

12.When-2. The 1st 4 minutes are good, ....

Anyway, a great album, all songs good except "When." ROCK ON!

According to some critics, Megadeth "bottomed out" with "Risk" in 1999. So, after "bottoming out," Dave Mustaine and Co. returned two years later to try to recapture past thrash glories. Even though some songs on "The World Needs A Hero" fall flat (like "Racipe For Hate...Warhorse" and "When"), and Dave Mustaine's vocals aren't in top form here, this album was still a mostly successful attempt at returning to form. It may not be as good as, say, "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?," but "Hero" is a lot more aggressive, metallic, and thrashy than "Risk." The riffs are back, the alternative sound and ballads are mostly gone, and the song tempos are quite a bit faster. Marty Friedman's replacement, Al Pitrelli, makes himself right at home on this album. He's almost as good as Marty, and he and Mustaine combine to turn out crunchy riffs on songs like "Disconnect" and "Burning Bridges." Other highlights include the churning riffs and catchy refrain on "Moto Psycho;" track four, "1000 Times Goodbye," includes an extended guitar solo; the album's only ballad, "Promises," has light, textured guitar strings and (what sounds like) a violin; and the album's best guitar solo is featured on track nine, "Dread And The Fugitive Mind." And "Return to the Hangar" isn't as good as its namesake ("Hangar 18," which was released on "Rust In Peace" in 1990), but "Return to the Hangar" is still this album's fastest song and features six guitar solos (!) All in all, "The World Need A Hero" isn't a great album, but it's a good one. And it wasn't a complete return to form, but it was definitely a step in the right direction. Recommended for hardcore Megadeth fans.

Megadeth is back, and Back with a Vengeance. New lead guitarist, Al Pitrelli (ex Savatage, Alice Cooper) lays down some blistering solos and makes fans of the old band think to themselves "Marty Who?". This is by far Megadeth's heaviest release since 1995's Youthanasia, and judging by the fans embracement of the album, will easily be just as successful. With the Return of the Mega-Mascot, Vic Rattlehead, Megadeth return to their roots on Scorching songs such as, Disconnect, 1000 Times Goodbye, Return to Hangar, and Dread and the Fugitive Mind. David "JR" Ellefson's basslines on this album are the most prominent he has laid down since 1986's "Peace Sells". Jimmy Degrasso (ex Suicidal Tendencies, Alice Cooper) puts his touch on the album with some excellent blast beats and double bass drumming almost making old fans forget who Nick Menza is. Dave Mustaine's voice, rhythm, and lead work is right on. Just what we'd expect from a MEGADETH release. This album definately is NOT a RISK. This album is a Return to Form, and A splendid display of musical genious.

Dave titled his album "The World Needs a Hero" Well, Heavy Metal fans have 4 heros. Dave, David, Jimmy, and Al.

....

After the truly dissappointing and heart breaking "Risk", Megadeth are back to the form on their latest. With a sound somewhere in between Countdown to Extinction and Rust in Peace, its refreshing to hear a band with great solos, jack hammer riffs and excellent fast drumming in this day and age. While the songs are no where near as accessible as the last three 'deth disks, there are some catchy tunes such as Moto Psycho, Promises and Recipe for Hate. If nu metal is your thing then dont bother with this one. But if you have a soft spot for classic virtuoso metal and hard rock, then you will truly love this one.

Dave and company return with "World Needs a Hero", but what the world really needs is a clue. This album is a dissapointment, not a return to greatness, as has been touted by far too many zines and misguided fans. Signs of past glories are far and few between on Megadeth's latest platter. "TWNAH" finds the band on a new label with a new lineup, but not much has changed. Megadave and co. continue to mine radio rock territory with cuts such as the uninspired "Moto Pyscho," and "Disconnect." The former finds Mustaine spewing such laughable lyrics as "Everybody is a Moto Pyscho...100 miles an hour." This, from the mastermind behind such formidable metal classics as "In My Darkest Hour," and "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due."

There are moments on "The World Needs a Hero" that suggest Dave wanted to let loose and shred, but held back. Absent is that snarling, hellbent, never say die attitude that embodied Megadeth masterpieces such as "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" and "Rust in Peace." Perhaps it's ironic the most metallic moments on this album come with "Return to Hangar," a song Megadeth did 10 times better 10 years ago.

The biggest problem with this album is the production. While there are some solid riffs, any bite they might have had is soaked up by the slick production. It's that castration of any rawness, any fury that makes this work paltry.

In conclusion, this is a weak effort by Megadeth. From the day Vic first reared his Rattlehead, Mustaine showed the world his boundless talent. This album is no testament to it. "The World Needs a Hero" doesnt transcend time, it merely stands as an ornament of it's passing. What the World Needs is a Megadeth album.

I can't believe some of the poor reviews this has had. OK - it does sound very heavy and 80s to some tastes (although I like it like that!) but it is a far superior album to Risk)

Firstly, it is their best effort yet in terms of melodies and catchiness. "Promises" sounds like "A Tout Le Monde" only better and although "Moto Psycho" and "TWNAH" sound like a deliberate self-parodies, they are annoyingly catchy (and also heavy.) Dread & the Fugitive Mind reminds me of "Sympyhony of Destruction" and when I first heard it (on "Capitol Punishment") I didn't realise Marty Friedman had left cos Pitrelli is very nearly as good.

The album also manages to mix their early thrashy sound (particularly on "Recipe for Hate...Warhorse") with what positives there were from the late 90s era, i.e the melodic edge.

OK, it is not quite as convincing as "Rust in Peace" because some of the material sounds rehashed (ie "When" seems very similar to Metallica's "Am I Evil") and some bits of songs have also appearted on their earlier albums ie ("Return to Hangar") but this is probably the best Megadeth album next to "Rust in Peace."

Megadeth has returned to the world of metal after a 4 year absence of real speed metal albums. This truly is a fans album. There are thrash tracks like return to hangar, reciepe for hate...warhorse, disconnect, the title track, and dread and the fugitive mind. There are standard metal songs such as burning bridges, the epic when (reminiscent of metallica's call of the Ktulu and diamond heads am i evil), and moto psycho. Then theres the ballad; promises; an excellent song by any standardsl; even though it won't please the headbangers much; they'll still be satisfied with the rest of the cd. All in all this album covers the whole of megadeth's fan base, with the emphasis heavily favoring the old metalhead fans; after all, megadeth is and always has been a hard core metal band at heart.

Ok, ignoring the other reviews of this cd i'm going to start fresh..from my own mind here.
At first I was hesistant of this whole cd, b/c of the fact that Marty Friedman is now gone and Nick Menza has been gone. So I didnt get around to trying to listen to this cd for almost a year after it was released.. heh... big mistake. I judged this cd unfairly. Even though it doesnt have the same guitarist and drummer in it as it's been for soo many of Megadeth's albums.. they hardly miss a beat. The key words here are -Great Songs-. They took a step upwards from Risk and made this album a rocker for sure. Definite highlights on this cd are Disconnect, Moto Psycho, Burning Bridges, Losing My Senses and Dread & the Fugitive Mind. They all display a genuine sense of musicianship and killer riffs and licks..typical and expected of Megadeth's work. They give off a definite killer vibe and should be given more than a few listens before giving up on it. In my opinion, ALL great music takes several listens to get into... and this album is like that.
There are however a couple, here & there moments that I havent warmed up to yet and perhaps won't. Doing a part 2 to Hangar 18 was a lame idea..but hey a lot of fans love it. I have to admit though 'Return To Hangar' is a killer tune and has a beautiful-to-the-ears twin guitar harmonic part.. which follows into some good ol thrashing.. and there are some slower parts on the cd that seem to dwindle the vibe somewhat. But regardless, the positive aspects of this cd outweigh the bad..
So if you're even a small Megadeth fan at all.. you should be able to get into most of this cd... and for the typical Megadeth fan it is no question! get this cd! It has some purely incredible moments that have left me wanting more... Great licks, beautiful harmonies and killer vocals.. make this disc a memorable swansong from a legendary group!