The 2010 Arsies: January 20, 2010

January 20, 2010

And now, a clash of the old against the new! Megadeth's latest album, "Endgame," against The Black Dahlia Murder's "Deflorate."
TBDM recently had a lineup change, and this shows a bit in "Deflorate." There's more a reliance on leads, but ultimately that more than adds to the mix. At the same time, without the leads the bread-and-butter songwriting feels a bit formulaic and predictable. It's a fun ride, but (with a few tasty exceptional moments) within the first 5 minutes you'll know pretty much how it ends.
On the other hand, if you've been liking Megadeth for the past 5 albums, you're probably a fan of the latest one as well. And in fact, after multiple listens I have a bit of a warm nostalgic feeling about "Endgame," with fleeting moments that harken back to "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction." By the same token, however, "Endgame" can also come across as a bit boring and by the numbers.
There's good and bad in both albums. This one contest, more than any other in the first round, came down to pure personal preference. My preference: The Black Dahlia Murder wins! Sorry, Dave.