Megadeth
Risk
[Capitol]


I'm guessing most of you reading this will buy the new MAYHEM "Mediolanum Capa Est" instead of this light weight contender. I know a lot of folks hate what Megadeth have released in the last few years, but I honestly enjoy the changes. This 51 minute CD will do little for headbangers or thrashers.

First track "Insomnia" reminds me of Led Zeppelin - the guitar work is in between Eastern-flavouring and the Hawaii 5-O Theme! It works, as it could have fit on the last CD Cryptic Writings. It's the type of song I would flip for when I was in the transition from rock to harder rock, with a metal edge. "Prince of Darkness" leans towards METALLICA ("Black" to "Load" era), sort of rocks/bangs but does nothing for me. "Enter The Arena" is an intro (almost a minute) to "Crush 'Em". "Crush 'Em" is sort of cool, perfect for night time highway driving, it could have fit on the "Countdown..." or "Youthanasia" CD's, but the backup vocals are sooooo gay in the chorus they might as well use Jim Nabors next time. "Breadline" is melodic pop metal (ie. Triumph, Killer Dwarfs). "The Doctor Is Calling" goes for an eerie feel stepping into Alice Cooper territory. "I'll Be There" is melodic heavy metal - seems Dave must have listened to old 80's metal radio show tapes with Krokus ballads. "Wanderlust" is cool Southern Rock actually. "Ecstasy" has that laid back melodic Zep/Diamond Head/Thin Lizzy thing happening. "Seven" is the first kickass song here, and the CD is almost over! Ok riff, in the AC/DC-type way. "Time:The Beginning" sees Mustaine pull off a mellow Judas Priest-type mood (ie. Sad Wings of Destiny). Pretty cool. The last track "Time:The End"...did I say Priest? Fuck, this bangs like "Victim of Changes". Not bad. This CD has ok production, except the guitars sound even weaker than usual. No lyric sheet this time. The pace is slow or mid-paced, NO SPEED AT ALL (which is what made folks take notice of Megadeth at the beginning of their career.) I'll probably will grow into this CD...I buy ANYTHING by Mustaine just as ChorazaiM will buy anything by Quorthon. I bought the import "Special 15 Anniversary Edition 2 CD", so my copy of "Risk" is an enhanced CD Rom (no idea if the North American release is, but let's assume so...and it's nothing special anyway). The bonus CD , "NO RISK DISK" is just 30 minutes, and is like a greatest hits. The tracks are Peace Sells...,In My Darkest Hour, Holy Wars, Symphony of Destruction, A Tout Le Monde, and Use The Man.


© 1999 mlotek