Megadeth

Not that we want to revisit this whole Megadeth/Metallica debate yet again but if there's any inkling of wonder in Megadeth front-man Dave Mustaine about who's winning the battle, he should give his head a shake. Metallica may be reaping greater financial rewards for their "efforts" but when it comes down to who's making cooler, enduring records, he's got them beat by a country mile. Sure, it's taken a few years and some forgettable albums but with 12th full-length Endgame, MegaDave has his collective shit together and it's packed tight. Utilizing the release as a sort of impromptu revisiting of earlier higher points in their storied career, its 11 tracks reference many of the diverse and poignant stylistic revisions they've made over the years. From the instrumental prowess of "Dialectic Chaos" through "This Day We Fight" and "1,320," Mustaine grazes his previous work on the likes of Peace Sells... But Who's Buying, So Far, So Good... So What?, Rust In Peace and even Countdown To Extinction, breeding a sense of familiarity throughout Endgame. Not that they pilfer their back-catalogue, rather they hint at it with a sense of tying up loose ends. And in comparison to the obvious struggle on their last few releases, the comfort in stepping back into their thrash metal past is relieving and rewarding. No, Endgame isn't going to position itself at the top of the Megadeth compendium but it ventures surprisingly close.