MEGADETH Vinyl & CDs

Review: Thrash metal "Big 4" alumni, Megadeth, make their much-anticipated return this year with, 'The Sick, The Dying & The Dead.' The sixteenth full-length from the speedy, war-obsessed titans marks their first album since 2016's, 'Dystopia', making it the longest gap between projects frontman Dave Mustaine has ever allowed to transpire. Featuring drummer Dirk Verbeuren making his debut with the group, as well as bass duties being handled by Steve Di Giorgio of Testament (following the controversial dismissal of long-time member David Ellefson), the progressive-metal leaning material has been poured over to an astute degree. With a seething, near-seven-minute epic, 'Night Stalkers', boasting an Ice-T collaboration (whose love for the metal scene appears to have been totally rekindled by his revival of Body Count), Mustaine and co seem utterly determined to make Megadeth's epic return as dynamic, diverse and memorable as possible. Strap in for an endless barrage of shredding riffage, complex solos, and of course, the signature snarl which their frontman has practically made an artform all on its own.