Megadeth -
Cryptic Writings| Megadeth -
Cryptic Writings |
From the interviews and news clips that I read, I couldn't help but anticipate Megadeth’s latest attempt to return to their former glory, Cryptic Writings. Unfortunately, all the hype was unjustified.
The album has its high points; several songs attack right from the start and don’t let up. Vocally, Mustaine is at his best on the opening track, "Trust," when he sings: ‘My body aches from mistakes; Betrayed by lust; We lied to each other so much, that in nothing we trust.’
At times, the guys sound like their previous headbanging selves. The tracks "The Disintegrators," "She-Wolf," "Vortex," and "FFF" are reminiscent of the acclaimed Rust in Peace. It’s the other tracks that get in the way. They disrupt the flow and focus of the album. From the monotonous "Mastermind" to the bluesy "Have Cool, Will Travel," several of the songs seem out of place and quite un-Megadeth like. If you could only eliminate five select tracks, this album would be one of the best of the year.
The album is an improvement over the last, but still too unfocused for my tastes. If I had it to do all over again, I’d probably still buy Cryptic Writings just to hear the excellent "Trust" and "Sin," and the occassional moments when Megadeth rocks like they’re capable of.
Reviewed by: John Love
| Track #: | Song: | Band Member: | Instrument: | |
| 1 | Trust | Dave Mustaine | Vocals, Guitar | 2 | Almost Honest | Marty Friedman | Guitar | 3 | Use the Man | David Ellefson | Guitar | 4 | Mastermind | Nick Menza | Drums | 5 | The Disintegrators | 6 | I’ll Get Even | 7 | Sin | 8 | A Secret Place | 9 | Have Cool, Will Travel | 10 | She-Wolf | 11 | Vortex | 12 | FFF |
| - The "cryptic writings" were on the wall a long time ago and they spelled SELL-OUT - It's a DISGRACE!!!! - This album is ok, but this is no RUST IN PEACE - Good try, but it's no PEACE SELLS...by a long shot! - Hey, it may be commercial, but it ain't RELOAD, so I am content. Besides, it isn't even THAT bad - OK, a little bit commercial, but as one reviewer said, "everybody else is doing it, so why can't we?!!!!" - Still better than Shitallica - Good album. Has many strong points even though this isn't 'Deth's best. - Took me a LONG time (3 yrs) to like it. Led Zeppelin whorship, hard rock style, started after RUST. Not thrash, but decent. - Megadeth is the best metal band ever! - Certainly commercial, but still a strong album, especially the faster tracks - Megadeth's last proof of creativity. After this one, for me, they haven't released anything worthy - Good album, but RUST IN PEACE, and Metallica, in general, is better - This record makes me fucking sick. - RUST IN PEACE still rules. - Commercial does not automatically make it bad, folks. My favorite Megadeth CD behind RIP and CTE. - Waste of time. - I thought it was one of Megadeth's last good albums. The tour was also awesome. - Why does this have to be compared with Rust In Peace? Get on with it. Once again, great stuff and straight to the point metal. They smoke Metallica, ever have and ever will. - This site sucks. You just expect to them to keep playing Rust in Peace forever? A band must evolve and change, have diferent sounds, because if not it gets boring. You want Megadeth to be like Slayer? Always playing the same shit? - "Trust" and "Use The Man" are fantastic. - Not bad; but still nothing compared to Peace Sells.... Wake up Mustaine...old fans like us made you famous in the first place. How about Rust in Peace, Part II? - A little disappointment after classics like Countdown To Extinction and Youthanasia, but still very, very good. - There is so much talent in this band, so why the hell can't they write some aggressive, relentless thrash? |
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