Greetings all and thanks for reading! This week I'm going to be writing about a blend of two of my favorite things that I write about here on the blog: Heavy metal and patriotism! It's a very rare glimpse of a very rare breed inside of the music community/industry that not just a solo musician but a band itself lends their weight to the modern cause of liberty writing such song titles as "New World Order" and "We The People". Megadeth's Th1rt3en is the band's so aptly named thirteenth record to date and before I delve into my own opinion's on it's political content and sweeping over tones of the awakened masses to such subjects as the federal reserve, the corrupted political climate, and the war on drugs let me say that this album from a non political point of view ROCKS!!As a musician of fifteen plus years, eight or more spent in the heavy metal genre, I can say with almost a shadow of a doubt that the music industry lends itself to the more liberal and progressive side of politics. It's usually the Ted Nugent types a long side some awakened hip hop acts that will insert what I believe to be patriotic messages and ideals into their music. Whether those messages be about political corruption, the bunk monetary policies of the federal government, or even simply supporting our warriors who wear the uniforms of the U.S. military. The liberal left of America is most notable for it's what Ludwig von Mises called "useful idiots" but let there be no doubt that the term can most definitely be applied in these times to the gamut of political propagandists in, especially in music. Just because Toby Keith wants to 'sing' about placing thickly souled footwear on the inside of the rectums of people who mess with 'Merica doesn't make his music patriotic. It's a de visionary tactic used by people that von Mises so correctly called these types of useful idiots. I can personally set aside my political views and listen to music for it's musical content with out judging the individuals who wrote it's world or political views. I can still put on the 1983 album "War" by U2 and not have the musical experience be ruined by Bono's support of eugenics, gun control, and other such communistic views. Does it possibly taint the taste in my mouth if I thought for a second about buying an extremely over priced ticket to see them live? Absolutely and I'm pretty sure it would taste of twice recycled urine. But you see what I'm getting at and fortunately for me Megadeth's newest offering tastes of awesome dipped in awesome sauce!
For fans of the older Megadeth sound that to some of us began to wain in the last ten years (I'm still the only person I know first hand who bought "Endgame") and to new fans just coming to the fold it does not disappoint! The record is filled with sixteenth note patterns on the pounding double bass drums, a solid and in the pocket low end, and a scorching set of lead guitar riffs that shows a set of chops that Mustaine hasn't put on display in years with thanks of course to Chris Broderick. I was very pleased to see Dave Ellefson's name back on a record after ten years and given that he was a representative of Peavey to my last band's endorsement I very stoked to hear that rumble that he patented back in the Rust in Peace days! As for now "We The People" and "Black Swan" are the two tracks that are most listened to in my iTunes but I cannot say that I am lulled into even a marginal state of boredom with any of the offerings on the album! I find myself listening very intently to the not only the lyrical content but to the magnificently written chord modulations during solo sections, the change in time signatures, and most notably the excellent guitar riffs that were laid to sonic excellence on this record! Overall this record is one of the best metal records that I've listened to in years!
"Public Enemy No.1" - Megadeth
