Megadeth, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! Review

Megadeth is back in a triumphant way with The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, the metal band’s sixteenth studio album. The fourteen tracks celebrate the band’s lead, Dave Mustaine, triumph over throat cancer. The album was recorded over two years and is also a reuniting of Mustaine with co-producer Chris Rakestraw (Danzig, Parkway Drive), who together helmed 2016’s Grammy® winning- Dystopia. The album was recorded at Mustaine’s home studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio temporarily stepped in to record the album–with the kick-off of Megadeth’s recent tour, Megadeth alumni James LoMenzo rejoined the Megadeth family as a permanent bass player to replace bassist David Ellefson. Mustaine explains, “For the first time in a long time, everything that we needed on this record is right in its place. I can’t wait for the public to get hold of this!”

The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! Is a strong title and sums up much about our current times, releasing on September 2nd, 2022; times are about extremes. However, Megadeth’s writing and working as a unit to create an impactful album is spot-on and stands united. The album features Mustaine’s songwriting while incorporating writing from the rest of the band. The title track, “The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!” frames the space for the album to unfold beautifully. The driving drums, booming bass, and intricate guitar work structure Mustaine’s metal vocals with power. The transitions are also worth noting, with tempo and feel changes making the song form have an interesting flow and textures. “Night Stalkers” is a Mustaine and Loureiro creation with a guest appearance from Ice T. An energetic track with a catchy chorus, solid band hits, and a killer riff. “Dogs Of Chernobyl” has many elements of eighties Megadeth, with the powerful chunking rhythm guitars and dexterous lead playing. “Célebutante” is another driving creation by Mustaine and Loureiro that will keep your blood moving. Finally, “Police Truck” is a new sound for Megadeth and adds a variety to the set of fourteen songs. Overall, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! is Megadeth doing what they do best, bringing us music to get things done with because this is music to motivate and energize. Virtuosity and precision take work, and that energy comes through with The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! and it is contagious straight to your heart and soul. That’s the short of it!

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