I almost burst into tears when, in early 2002, Dave Mustaine announced that he had disbanded Megadeth. There were a couple of reasons why Mustaine decided to quit. The first reason was the ongoing struggle in the band. The members wanted to play different kinds of music and even the producer was involved in some song writing on Risk. The other reason to quit Megadeth was his arm-injury. While sleeping he damaged a nerve in his arm and after the first prognoses the doctors gave him an 80 percent chance of recovery.

Luckily, his arm recovery went great and a year after disbanding the band Mustaine was able to play guitar again. Rumors about a Megadeth reunion spread like wildfire, but were never officially acknowledged. After a look on the Megadeth website in early 2004, I read that Mustaine was busy writing new Megadeth material. And after a short while Mustaine released the first track, “Kick The Chair”, as an mp3-file. I listened to the song and went totally berserk. My first thought was: “If that song is representative for the rest of the album, it’s going to be a killer comeback!”

To be honest with you, I was quite right about the album. The System Has Failed IS a killer comeback! The album opens with “Blackmail The Universe” and it begins with a newsflash about the presidential airplane being shot down. Then a good, old thrash riff kicks in with politically charged lyrics, the kind of lyrics only Mustaine can write. This song is one of my favorites on The System Has Failed.

The album continues with “Die Dead Enough”, the first single of this album. The song is more melodic and less furious than “Blackmail The Universe”, but it still rocks. “Kick The Chair” is the thrash anthem of 2004; that song blows you away! Riff-wise it’s a mix between Rust In Peace and Countdown To Extinction and the intro to the song may remind you of “Take No Prisoners”. “The Scorpion” and “Tears In A Vial” are not as heavy as “Blackmail The Universe” or “Kick The Chair”, but they’re both definitely cool songs. The only weak song on The System Has Failed is “Of Mice And Men”. Lyrically the song is autobiographic, but musically it’s pretty boring. After a while the chorus starts to irritate me. But then again, it’s the only weak point on this album.

Megadeth is back ladies and gentlemen! The System Has Failed is a killer album and Dave hired some top class musicians. The solos are played by none other than Chris Poland! But due to lack of time, he will not play live. Jimmy Lee Sloas (bass guitar) and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) are the rhythm section on the album, but they won’t join Dave either when playing live. For the live-shows he’s hired some other great musicians. Mustaine made amends with Nick Menza, so he is back on the drums! Former Eidolon-member Glen Drover will be the new lead guitarist and James McDonough (ex Iced Earth) is the new bass player. So get your ass to your local record shop and buy this album, pronto! This is one the best comeback albums I’ve ever heard.