So I was listening to Megadeth’s latest album, United Abominations, in preparation for their concert down in Singapore which I’m going to. YEAH!<\/p>\n
Megadeth had always had my respect for keeping it real and keeping to thrash metal, unlike more successful counterparts Metallica. However, their latest album had a few songs that felt not quite epic.<\/p>\n
The savior though is Sleepwalker<\/b>, which stays true (or at least closest) to the classics. However, the song, just like every other song on the album, sounds as if they were trying to compress a 7 minute epic masterpiece into 4 minutes. How? By trimming off the trademark Megadeth intro! Blasphemy.<\/p>\n
A classic Megadeth intro works like this:
\n– start with an interesting single-note riff
\n– add some metallic bass (soon, after you’re familiar with the riff)
\n– kick in the drums a few seconds later
\n– chug in the power chords
\n– modify the riff a bit… and then go into solo
\n– add a second guitar to the solo in harmony, which always makes it sound like a Japanese video game (which Dave Mustaine does soundtracks for, so this makes sense)
\n– jump back into rhythm<\/p>\n
Each part is discrete. The order might change, but ultimately, you get to enjoy each level as it comes along.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, some songs, like the title track, have a multi-part solo.<\/p>\n
Even a song like Holy Wars… The Punishment Due<\/b> (from the classic album Rust In Peace<\/b>) had a 1:30 long intro, but it sounded much longer due to intricate composition and various segments. For some reason, Marty’s oriental\/neo-classical solos tickle me. I bet you anyone familiar with the song would anticipate the solos and crunchy riffs so they could air-guitar along. Yngwie Malmsteen is too neo-classical for me; Marty with angry thrashin’ Dave is just nice.<\/p>\n