Megadeth - Th1rt3en

[Virgil.]

This album is a huge letdown. I know a lot of the songs are b-sides, but it sounds like they didn't even try to make them sound good. The only song I like on this album is "New World Order", and I don't even like this version... I much prefer the version that came with the Japanese release of Hidden Treasures (which I believe is close to (if not the same) version that's on the Youthanasia remaster reissue).

Aside from the weak songwriting, the production just seems lazy. For example, if you listen to the new version of "New World Order" specifically, you can here several spots in the guitars and vocals that are clearly punch-ins and copy/paste edits. And Dave's vocals are MUCH louder on this album than on any other album I believe... which makes his straining voice that much more apparent. Everything just sounds muddy and wishy washy together... again, just overall a lazy mix.

I even like Risk and The World Needs A Hero more than this release. I really wish Andy would have been tapped for this album too. Oh well.

What are your thoughts? Anyone else feel the same way?

It sure beats the hell out of Metallica's LULZ... errr i mean LULU album tho. lol

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Megadeth's B sides are usually their best songs!!

 

[Virgil.]

Megadeth's B sides are usually their best songs!!

I too generally enjoy them... and I think it worked really well with Hidden Treasures, but it just doesn't seem to 'click' with this one for me.

 

[smy1]

I totally disagree. I like about 70% of the songs, which I can't say for any album after Cryptic Writings.

My personal faves are:

Sudden Death,
Public Enemy No. 1
We The People
Black Swan
Wrecker
Millenium Of The Blind
13

The album isn't particularly heavy, but neither were Countdown To Extinction or Youthanasia, which rank high (#2 and #3) among my 'Deth favorites.

 

[Virgil.]

maybe it's just the mix then that ruins it for me. idk what it is. But RIP, Youthanasia, Countdown, Hidden Treasures and Cryptic are by far my fav 'deth albums for sure. Maybe it'll grow on me.

 

[TravisW]

I'm enjoying this one quite a bit so far. I'm glad that they brought some of those old tracks forward, like NWO and Millenium of the Blind.

 

[Rip-G]

To me this is their best album since Cryptic or Youthanasia. I waited so long for stuff like this... I love the mix as well. It's more old school, not so harsh like Endgame. It fits them very well.

 

[D.Vial]

It's not a bad album, production wise I think is kind of random (Chris B lead tones are awful IMO) , as well as the songwriting. It reminded me to "The system has failed". It would be unfair to rated at this point, I'm gonna let it grow in me

 

[elapidae1]

I didnt like it much at all. After endgame...well what can i say...It has no power to it.

 

[MetalJonesy]

theres a few good tunes on it.. but i prefer megadeth when they follow a certain path for the overall song type trhough out their records.. for example all the style and slow paced songs on youthanasia weren't mixed with any RIP style songs and riffs, which i find the last two albums have been!

 

[Virgil.]

Ahhh.... the good 'ol days.















Too bad Max Norman is retired. I'd love to hear him co-Produce with the boys again... unless his tastes have changed and he would recommend collaborating with Lou Reed. But I find it no coincidence that he's worked on the top 4 of my favorite 'deth cd's. He must have had some great input.

 

[Manicompression]

I finally got to listening to all of this. In my opinion the mix does not suit the band as well as Andys, or any of the classic releases. The kick and bass relationship is really well executed but very predominant, kind of like a nu-metal disturbed kind of thing. At times its sort of cool, like when the grooves are slow and simple but mostly its distracting. As has been said the lead tones are uninspired and nasal sounding. The vocals are a bit loud, and there isnt very much in the way of clever background harmonys or cool effects here and there. In terms of the actually songs i think its ok, Its no Endgame or RIP but id say as good as United Abominations. Not a masterpeice and not a turd.

 

[MetalJonesy]

i still watch that Evolver video!! so inspiring!

 

[DanLights]

I haven't heard it yet, but hearing how it's just a collection of old b-sides and a couple new songs done in a hurry, I can't get my hopes too high. There was one article on blabbermouth that I can't find, where he explained how rushed it was, how they had to pull out some old songs to give them enough time to finish it, saying it in a very "we did what we could" kind of way, it made me sad.

 

[Virgil.]

i still watch that Evolver video!! so inspiring!

+1