The Sick, The Dying and the Dead marked the band’s sixteenth studio album and was well-received by fans and critics alike. We think it’s one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever created. The album features Dave Mustaine on lead vocals, guitar, and songwriting, along with Kiko Loureiro (ex-Angra) on guitar, Dirk Verbeuren (Ex-Soilwork, ex-The Devin Townsend Project, et al) handles drums like a beast, and bass God Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Death, et al).
The album opens with the title track, “The Sick, The Dying and The Dead,” which features a doom and gloom sound with a strong opening riff and sets the tone for the rest of the album with its dark and politically charged lyrics. The album’s lead single, “We’ll Be Back,” features intricate guitar work and a memorable chorus, while “Night Stalkers Ft. Ice-T” and “Soldier On!” continue the album’s themes of societal decay and political unrest. “Solder On!” being a standout track with a killer riff.
Other standout tracks on the album include “Dogs Of Chernobyl,” which showcases Mustaine’s emotive vocals and highlights the impressive guitar skills of Loureiro and Mustaine. The album’s closing track, “This Planet’s On Fire Ft. Sammy Hagar,” is a testament to the metal gods.
Overall, The Sick, The Dying and the Dead showcases Megadeth’s signature thrash metal sound while also incorporating elements of progressive metal and even classical music. The album’s lyrics and themes are both timely and thought-provoking, making it a standout release from the band’s extensive catalog. Check out the incredible album below, which we rate a 10/10.
Smells: Like Death
Tastes: Like Metal
Sounds: Like Megadeth – no on compares