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Endgame is the twelfth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 9, 2009, it was the second Megadeth album distributed through Roadrunner Records. Produced by Andy Sneap and Dave Mustaine, it entered the Billboard 200 at number 9, marking the band's tenth overall top 10 debut. It was the first album featuring guitarist Chris Broderick, following Glen Drover's departure in 2008 and was the band's last studio album with bass guitarist James LoMenzo before Dave Ellefson replaced him in 2010.[2]
There are eleven tracks on the album, with lyrics inspired by subjects ranging from The Lord of the Rings, the Financial crisis of 2007–2010, insanity, medieval torture devices and the North Hollywood shootout. Two singles were released from the album: The Right to Go Insane and Head Crusher. On December 3, 2009, it was announced on the official Megadeth homepage that "Head Crusher" had been nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, the band's first nomination since Trust, 13 years prior. This Day We Fight! was featured as a playable song on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.[3]
The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, and was thought of continuing the success from the band's 2007 album United Abominations. It received a positive review by musician Slash and was named the number one metal album of 2009 by the BNR Metal Page.[4]
Writing and recording
On the September 10th edition of the Alex Jones Show, Jones suggested that the title and cover of Endgame was inspired by the movie Endgame written and directed also by Jones. Jones stated that he had sent Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine a copy of the movie after he had appeared on the radio program in 2008.[5] It was later confirmed by Dave Mustaine on the Alex Jones show that the album name was inspired by his documentary Endgame.[6] The album itself was produced by Andy Sneap, who was also the producer of Megadeth's last album, United Abominations. Roadrunner Records and Mustaine viewed the album as a success, and rehired Andy for duties on Endgame.[7]
The first preview of any song off Endgame was a six-minute video featuring Andy Sneap, describing the process of mixing the new Megadeth track "Head Crusher" at his studio in Derbyshire, England.[1] In the video, Sneap says, "It's certainly old-school Megadeth — that's what I like." Endgame was recorded at the band's own personal studio, Vic's Garage, in San Marcos, California USA.[1] On May 27, 2009, Dave Mustaine confirmed all 12 songs were complete and they were currently mixing and mastering the record.[8] The tracklisting on Megadeth.com was updated on August 8, showing that a number of other song titles had also been altered, specifically shortening "Bite the Hand That Feeds", "Bodies Left Behind" and "Nothing Left to Lose" was changed to "The Right to Go Insane".[9] The Japanese bonus for the album was changed from an instrumental called "El Pistolero" to a live performance of the song "Washington Is Next!" off of United Abominations.[10]
Dave Mustaine has said about the album that, "It is fast, it is heavy, there is singing, yelling, speaking, and guest voices (maybe not singing — more like in "Captive Honour"), the soloing is insane. We have some great song concepts, like 'The Right to Go Insane' is a song about having been wiped out, like so many Americans, from the recession and potential depression years of 2000, or 'Bite the Hand', which is a song about the greed of the fiduciary leaders of the financial world and how they just didn't care about the responsibility they had to the public."[11][12]
Furthermore, he has said the songs "How The Story Ends" and "This Day We Fight!" were both inspired by "warrior creed from the great Sun Tzu with the use of drums and flags in ancient war, and an impassioned plea from Aragorn to his loyal fighters in Lord of the Rings trilogy, respectively."[13][12] He adds "I also have some bizarre songs, like 'Head Crusher', which is about the medieval torture device, '1,320' which is a song about nitro fuel funny cars, and "Endgame", the title track, which is about a bill that ex-President George W. Bush signed into law that gave him the power to put American citizens in detention centers here in the United States, and another great lyric on this record is about the North Hollywood bank robbery and the 44 Minutes of 1997."[12] 44 Minutes is, in fact, based on the famous North Hollywood shootout.[14] The title of the song itself is derived directly from the film 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out, an FX Network original film that was also based on the event, referring to the 44 Minutes of the duration of the shootout.[15] PopMatters reviewer Adrien Begrand wrote that the album's lyric contained "eclectic Mustaine fare, with subject matter that runs the gamut from bank heists (“44 Minutes”), funny car racing (“1,320’”), twisted love songs (“The Hardest Part of Letting Go…Sealed With a Kiss”), his usual “I’m slowly going nuts” shtick (“The Right to Go Insane”), and even the overdone Lord of the Rings saga (“How the Story Ends”)."[16]
Release and promotion
On May 10, it was also announced by Dave Mustaine on TheLiveLine that some music from Megadeth would appear in the film Land of the Lost to raise awareness for Endgame.[17] Whether this would be music from the new record was not entirely clear, however during the phone message Mustaine stated that there was new music playing in the background of the message.[18] Ultimately, parts of the song "The Right To Go Insane", can be heard near the end of the film.[19]
As of May 19, Megadeth had finished recording the album and on June 18, the album title was revealed to be Endgame.[20] The cover artwork was officially released onto the internet on July 27, 2009.[21] John Lorenzi designed the album cover for Endgame, who was the winner of the 2007 Deviantart redesign contest for United Abominations.[22] The album is the first Megadeth album cover since Risk to not feature their mascot Vic Rattlehead, having been featured on the last three consecutive covers, and also the Sudden Death single cover in 2010.[22] The release date for "Endgame" was announced on the Megadeth official website as September 15, 2009, and Metal Hammer magazine's website were the first to review the album track by track.[23] A week after its release, the album had sold 45,000 copies in the United States and 8,200 copies in Canada, debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200, falling down one place from when United Abominations debuted to number eight in 2007.[24] The album also placed as #1 on the Hard Rock Albums chart and #2 on the Rock Albums chart.[25]
Megadeth started touring in November 2009 in support of the album in Grand Rapids, Michigan and ended on December 13, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tour featured Machine Head, Suicide Silence, Warbringer, and Arcanium.[26] In January 2010, Megadeth was set to embark on the "American Carnage" tour with Slayer and Testament, two of the largest bands of the thrash and heavy metal scene. The tour was scheduled to begin on January 18, but was ultimately postponed until later in the summer due to Tom Araya's back surgery.[27] Promtional touring for the album was cut short however, as Megadeth chose to support their recently announced "Rust in Peace 20th Anniversary Tour" over Endgame, which began on March 1 with Testament and Exodus as openers.[28] During the various tours several songs from the album were played live, including 44 Minutes,[29] Dialectic Chaos, This Day We Fight!,[30] 1320[31] How the Story Ends, Head Crusher and The Right to Go Insane.[32]
Singles
The first and lead single off of the album was "Head Crusher".[33] According to Roadrunner Records official website, a download of "Head Crusher" was available for 24-hours on July 7, starting at 11:00 AM EDT (the availability of download ended the morning of July 8). The track was previously available for listening by calling Dave Mustaine's number, through the TheLiveLine.com, a service he launched that enables musicians to connect to their audience over the phone.[34] The song was eventually nominated for "Best Metal Performance" for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards and received a music video directed by Bill Fishman.[35][36]
The second single off the album was announced eight months later, and it was confirmed to be The Right to Go Insane.[37] A music video for The Right to Go Insane (roughly based on the story of Shawn Nelson) was released in April 2010, making it the first video with David Ellefson since his return to the band. The video premiered live at Austin, TX on March 26 during their Rust in Peace anniversary tour.[38] The song hit position 34 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.[39] In addition, Roadrunner Records has submitted the song to consideration for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 53rd Grammy Awards.[40] If it was to be nominated, it would be Megadeth's ninth nomination and their first in the category.[35]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
About.com | link |
Allmusic | link |
BBC Music | (favorable) link |
Kerrang | |
Metal Hammer | link |
Blabbermouth.net | link |
BW & BK | link |
PopMatters | link |
Sputnikmusic | link |
Memetalhead | link |
Endgame generally received positive reviews from critics. Stephanie Burkett from the BCC said that the album is "their most reliable and proficient album since Rust in Peace." She also noted that Megadeth "are once again asserting their right to be considered one of the best and most consistent heavy metal groups on the planet."[41] Chad Bowar of About.com rewarded four and a half stars saying, "Megadeth is still at the top of their game. Endgame has some old-school moments, but also modern ones. 2007’s United Abominations garnered a lot of critical praise and was on many year-end best of lists that year... Endgame is even better."[42] Allmusic's Eduardo Rivadavia said that "Megadeth's second release for Roadrunner, Endgame, whose title apparently refers to "coming full circle" rather than any sort of goodbye, and finds the latest iteration of Megadeth — debuting new guitarist Chris Broderick (ex-Nevermore, Jag Panzer) — working primarily within their technical thrash comfort zone (think Peace Sells through Rust in Peace), with only a few latter-day elements and rare experimental diversions."[43]
Adrien Begrand of Popmatters noted that "not a moment is wasted on Endgame" and said "it’s all due to Mustaine sticking to his strengths, and with the extraordinarily talented Broderick as his new wingman, the record positively scorches with an intensity we haven’t heard since Rust in Peace. With its furious back-and-forth solos, opening instrumental “Dialectic Chaos” wastes no time in showcasing that dynamic between Mustaine and Broderick, and combined with the pure speed of “This Day We Fight!”, longtime fans will be instantly reminded of the bracing “Into the Lungs of Hell”/“Set the World Afire” one-two punch that kicks off 1988’s great So Far, So Good... So What!."[16] Mark Eglinton of The Quietus described the album as "a return to form" for Megadeth.[44] Musician Slash gave a favorable review to Endgame via twitter.[45]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dialectic Chaos" (Instrumental) | Dave Mustaine | 2:26 |
2. | "This Day We Fight!" | Mustaine | 3:27 |
3. | "44 Minutes" | Mustaine | 4:37 |
4. | "1,320'" | Mustaine | 3:50 |
5. | "Bite the Hand" | Mustaine | 4:01 |
6. | "Bodies" | Mustaine | 3:34 |
7. | "Endgame" | Mustaine | 5:57 |
8. | "The Hardest Part of Letting Go... Sealed with a Kiss" | Mustaine, Chris Broderick | 4:42 |
9. | "Head Crusher" | Mustaine, Shawn Drover | 3:26 |
10. | "How the Story Ends" | Mustaine | 4:29 |
11. | "The Right to Go Insane" | Mustaine | 4:18 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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12. | "Washington Is Next!" (live) | Mustaine | 5:20 |
Chart Positions
Chart | Peak position[25][24][46][47][48] |
---|---|
Billboard 200 | 9 |
Top Rock Albums | 2 |
Top Digital Albums | 10 |
Top Hard Rock Albums | 1 |
Top European Albums | 16 |
UK Top 40 | 24 |
Argentina Albums Chart | 7 |
Australian Albums Chart | 11 |
Austrian Albums Chart | 22 |
Canadian Albums Chart | 4 |
Finnish Albums Chart | 7 |
German Albums Chart | 21 |
Italian Albums Chart | 26 |
Ireland Albums Chart | 27 |
Norway Albums Chart | 15 |
Poland Albums Chart | 19 |
Switzerland Albums Chart | 32 |
Swedish Albums Chart | 17 |
Personnel
- Megadeth
- Dave Mustaine – lead vocals, lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, piano
- Chris Broderick – lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars
- James LoMenzo – bass
- Shawn Drover – drums and percussion
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References
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(help) - ^ Fuchs, Cynthia (2003-06-01). "44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout". PopMatters. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
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(help) - ^ Scott (2010-05-11). "Megadeth Contributing Music To New Land Of The Lost Movie". Everydayjoe.com. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "Land of the Lost to feature Megadeth". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
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- ^ "'Endgame' Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth.net. 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
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- ^ "SLAYER, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT: Complete 'American Carnage' Details Revealed". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ^ "Megadeth". Megadeth.com. 2010-03-13. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ^ Murphy, Jim (2009-12-08). "Megadeth plays 44 Minutes live". Thesavagescience.com. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
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- ^ deathbringer (2009-12-08). "Watch Megadeth's "1320" Premiere Live In Perth". Metalunderground.com. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ Bansal, Andrew (2010-11-06). "MEGADETH Enthralls Arizona With Last North American Show Of The Year". Metalassault.com. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ "MEGADETH: 'The Right To Go Insane' Video Released - Apr. 9, 2010". Blabbermouth.net. 2010-04-09.
- ^ "Megadeth: Listen To The New Song 'Headcrusher' Right Now". Ultimateguitar.com. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ a b "Awards Database". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
- ^ "New Megadeth Video: The Right to Go Insane". MSN Music. 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ Gonda, Chris (2010-04-11). "The Right to Go Insane confirmed for Endgame's second single". Pure Grain Audio.com. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2010-04-09). "The Right to Go Insane Premier". Noisecreep.com. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Megadeth > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
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(help) - ^ "2011 Rock Submissions". Scribd.com. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ Burkett, Stephanie (2009-10-2). "BBC - Music - Review of Megadeth Endgame Review". BBC. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
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(help) - ^ Bowar, Chad (2010-8-015). "Megadeth Endgame Review". About.com. Retrieved 2010/11/19.
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and|date=
(help) - ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (2010-8-17). "allmusic Engame review". allmusic. Retrieved 2010/11/19.
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and|date=
(help) - ^ Eglinton, Mark. "Megadeth's New Album Endgame Appraised Track-By-Track". The Quietus. Retrieved 20010/11/20.
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(help) - ^ "Slash Loves Megadeth's New Album 'Endgame'". Metalhammer. Retrieved 20010/11/19.
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(help) - ^ "Suomen virallinen lista". 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ "Austria Top 40". 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- ^ "Argentina Billboard List". 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-05.