United Abominations

Infobox Album
Name = United Abominations
Type = studio
Artist = Megadeth


Released = May 15, 2007
Recorded = 2006
Length = 47:57
Label = Roadrunner
Producer = Dave Mustaine, Jeff Balding, Andy Sneap
Reviews = *About.com Rating|4.5|5 [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/megadethunited.htm link]
*Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kxfrxzq5ld6e link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/14435698/review/14952966/united_abominations link]
*IGN Rating|8.5|10 [http://music.ign.com/articles/789/789308p1.html link]
*Blabbermouth rating-10|7.5 [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1123 link]
*PopMatters Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/39218/megadeth-united-abominations/ link]
*Metal Hammer rating-10|9
*Kerrang! Rating|4|5
Last album = "Unplugged in Boston"
(2006)
This album = "United Abominations"
(2007)
Next album = ""
(2007)

"United Abominations" is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, "United Abominations" is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter, and frontman Dave Mustaine. While touring to promote the album, guitarist Glen Drover left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by Chris Broderick.

"United Abominations" was well received by critics and debuted at number eight on the "Billboard" 200, the highest chart position for the band since 1994's "Youthanasia". Greg Prato of Allmusic stated Megadeth "sound reborn" on "United Abominations".cite web| author=Prato, Greg |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:kxfrxzq5ld6e |title="United Abominations" Allmusic review |publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2008-02-02] The lyrics of the album deal with politics and the state the world is in, with Ed Thompson of IGN stated the album is the band's most politically charged.cite web
url=http://music.ign.com/articles/789/789308p1.html
title = IGN - "United Abominations"
author = Thompson, Ed
date = 2007-05-17
publisher = IGN
accessdate = 2007-07-09] The album was named the number one metal album of 2007 by "Guitar World".cite journal| year=2008 |month=March |title=Reader's Poll |journal=Guitar World |accessdate=2008-02-05] cite web| url=http://www.guitarworld.com/results |title=2008 Guitar World Readers Poll Results! |publisher=Guitarworld.com |accessdate=2008-02-04]

Background

Prior to the release of "United Abominations", Megadeth signed a recording contract with Roadrunner Records. The band had troubles with music rights involving two former labels that carried Megadeth, Capitol and Sanctuary Records.cite journal| year=2007 |author=Epstein, Dan |month=May |title=My Last Words? |journal=Revolver Magazine |accessdate=2008-03-05] This is the first Megadeth album since the 2004 album "The System Has Failed", which was released through Sanctuary. While on tour to support "The System Has Failed", Megadeth frontman, guitarist, and vocalist Dave Mustaine contemplated breaking up Megadeth to record as a solo artist. At a sold-out concert in Buenos Aires, Mustaine stated the band would stay together. The show in Buenos Aires, at which this information was announced, was recorded and released on CD and DVD as "".

Megadeth had a new band lineup, aside from Mustaine, comprising Glen Drover (guitar), James Lomenzo (bass guitar), and Shawn Drover (drums).cite album-notes | bandname=Megadeth | title=United Abominations |year=2007 | publisher=Roadrunner Records | publisherid=180272] [cite album-notes | bandname=Megadeth | title=The System Has Failed |year=2004 | publisher=Sanctuary Records | publisherid=84748] Mustaine chose these people for full time members rather than session musicians. He stated that he liked the Drovers' "sibling chemistry" and Lomenzo is a "legend".cite journal| year=2008 |month=March |title=Going postal – Megadeth |journal=Revolver Magazine |accessdate=2008-03-05]

Writing and recording

Mustaine stated he did not "go into making this record with any pre-conceived notions". He said some of the lyrics on "United Abominations" were written about his frustration with his past record labels, stating "a lot of that translated into the intensity on the record."cite web| author=Myden, Chuck |date=2007-04-20 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70926 |title=Dave Mustaine says "United Abominations" is a true Megadeth record |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-28] Mustaine wrote the songs for the album in an attempt to "stir something in the minds of the listener". The lyrics of the album are mostly written about the choices the American government make that Mustaine finds are foolish. Mustaine stated recording the new songs was "super fun", despite having troubles with some of the complex music and vocal usage. All of the lyrics and all music, with the exception of one song, were written by Mustaine. "Never Walk Alone... A Call to Arms" was co-written by Mustaine and guitarist Glen Drover. When bassist James Lomenzo was asked about the lyrics of the album, he said to "talk to Dave about that". Although most of the band had no writing credits on the album, they stated that they were excited about recording the music. [cite web| author=Carras, Mark |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.za/page/News_item?select=News_Collection&rowid=29951 |title=Megadeth bassist discusses "United Abominations" |publisher=Roadrunner Records South America |accessdate=2008-02-02]

"United Abominations" was recorded in 2006 at SARM Hook End Studios, London, England; the Steakhouse, Studio City, California; Big Fish Encinitas, California and Backstage Productions. Additional overdubs were recorded at S.I.R. rehearsal studio, Hollywood, California and Mustaine Music, Fallbrooke, California. Most of the record was tracked in England because frontman Dave Mustaine admired the fact that his favorite band, Led Zeppelin, previously recorded there many times. Mustaine produced the album, with additional production handled by Jeff Balding and Andy Sneap.

At track 8, "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" is a remake of "À Tout le Monde" originally appearing on the 1994 album "Youthanasia". The song is a more uptempo version of the original song, and features Lacuna Coil vocalist Cristina Scabbia singing backing vocals.cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=70868 |title=Megadeth: "A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)" Video Posted Online |date=2007-04-19 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-03] Scabbia stated she was "really surprised about it because 'À Tout Le Monde' is a song that I've always loved. It was a big surprise for me to get this invitation —I was really honored to be part of it." Mustaine chose Scabbia over three other choices because of her "reign in the heavy-metal business".

The song "Gears of War" is featured on the soundtrack to the video game of the same name. Initially, the song had no lyrics; however, Microsoft approached Megadeth, asking to use the song in "Gears of War". The band accepted the offer and wrote lyrics for the song, but it was too late to use the lyrics in the version for the video game, as the game was near completion.

Album artwork

All artwork for the album was selected from a contest held by DeviantArt.cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=55915 |title=Megadeth: "United Abominations" Artwork Unveiled |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=2008-08-02 |accessdate=2008-02-05] The contestants were asked to design a new version of Vic Rattlehead, the band mascot which appears on nearly every Megadeth album cover. Mustaine chose from the top 11 finalists to be included in the CD booklet. The cover was unveiled in August 2006, of which the image depicts the United Nations headquarters in flames and being destroyed by meteors. Vic Rattlehead (the Megadeth mascot) and the 'Angel of Deth' are pictured in the foreground. Although the cover of the CD was not the winner of the contest, Mustaine chose it as his favorite picture, and wanted it for the cover. No photographs of the band were taken for the CD booklet, leaving the entire design as fan-made artwork.

Release and promotion

"United Abominations" was originally set for an October 2006 release, but with the scheduled release date rapidly approaching, Mustaine told "Billboard" magazine in August 2006, "We're putting the finishing touches on it. We've got a little more work before it's finished, but it should be out some time next year." [cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003051743 |title = Megadeth 'United' For Roadrunner Debut |author =Graff, Gary |date = 2006-08-23 |publisher =Billboard charts |accessdate = 2007-05-22] The completed album was leaked on to the internet in April 2007 and the first official pressing of the album was released exclusively in Japan on May 8 and contained a cover of the 1970 Led Zeppelin song "Out on the Tiles". [cite web| author=Prato, Greg |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbfoxz85ldje |title="United Abominations" (bonus track) overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=2008-02-03] The album was released internationally with a missing track on May 15, and a day later in the United States. A week after its release in the United States, the album had sold nearly 60,000 copies in the first week and debuted at number eight on the "Billboard" 200, 10 places higher than the band's previous album, 2004s "The System Has Failed". [cite web| author=Hasty, Katie |date=2007-05-23 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003589114 |title=Linkin Park Scores Year's Best Debut With 'Midnight' |publisher=Billboard charts |accessdate=2008-02-03] The album debuted at number two in Finland, five in Canada, and the top 30 in seven other countries.cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=5179&model.vnuAlbumId=933608 |title=Megadeth – Artist Chart History |publisher=Billboard charts |accessdate=2008-02-02] cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=73044 |title=Megadeth: "United Abominations" Enters Irish Chart At No. 31 |date=2007-05-22 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-02] cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=73152 |title=Megadeth: "United Abominations" Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2 |date= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-02]

Megadeth started touring in March 2007 in support of the album in Canada opening for Heaven and Hell and Down, followed by a North American tour opening for Heaven and Hell and touring with Machine Head.cite web| url=http://www.megadeth.com/killingroad.php |title=Killing Road |publisher=Megadeth.com |accessdate=2008-02-03] On this tour, which lasted until May, the band debuted the songs "United Abominations", "Washington Is Next!" and "Sleepwalker". After the Heaven and Hell tour, Megadeth started the worldwide Tour of Duty, which lasted until March 2008. Megadeth also toured in Australia on Gigantour with Static X, DevilDriver, Lacuna Coil, and Bring Me the Horizon as supporting acts. At one concert in Australia, Cristina Scabbia performed on stage with Megadeth for "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)". [cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84623 |title=Megadeth performs "A Tout le Monde (Set Me free)" with Cristina Scabbia |date=2007-11-11 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-02]

Critical reception

"United Abominations" received generally positive reviews, and was thought of as a return to form for Megadeth by critics. Don Kaye of Blabbermouth.net said the album "is an unabashedly guitar-driven album, stuffed with riffs and leads coming from all directions. The sense of explosive instrumentation under precise control that was a hallmark of early Megadeth efforts is back, which means that Megadeth, in many ways, is back too."cite web| author=Kaye, Don |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1123 |title=Album reviews – "United Abominations" |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2008-02-04] About.com reviewer Chad Bowar stated the album "is the best Megadeth album in at least a decade."cite web| url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/megadethunited.htm |title= About.com - "United Abominations" |author= Bower, Chad |publisher= About.com |accessdate= 2007-07-09] Greg Prato of Allmusic praised the album, stating "Megadeth's crunchy, venomous thrash has remained intact. Megadeth were never afraid to show off their prog-worthy chops, and the 2007 lineup appears custom-made for tackling 'tricky bits'. Mustaine and company certainly sound reborn." "Rolling Stone" reviewer Evan Serpick noted a downside to the album, stating it sounded too much like all of the band's previous albums. [cite web| author=Serpick, Evan |date=2007-05-31 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/14435698/review/14952966/united_abominations |title=Megadeth "United Abominations" |publisher="Rolling Stone" |accessdate=2008-03-29] Ed Thompson of IGN praised the album and its political lyrics, saying "cranks out so much attitude, so much opinion, and so much firebranded speech that the album could be mistaken for a political rally." [cite web| author=Thompson, Ed |date=2007-05-17 |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/789/789308p1.html |title=Everyone is entitled to Mustaine's opinion |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2008-04-04] Commenting on the Megadeth's new lineup, Jon Weiderhorn from MTV said "Once again, the system is fully operational." [cite web| author=Weiderhorn, Jon |date=2006-07-17 |title=Megadeth Heading Back To The Old School With "United Abominations" |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1536407/20060714/megadeth.jhtml |publisher=MTV |accessdate=2008-04-04] "United Abominations" was voted the best metal album of 2007 by the reader's poll in the March 2008 issue of "Guitar World" and the Brave Pick of 2007 by "Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles". [cite web| url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/80487 |title=Hot Flashes |publisher=Bravewords.com |accessdate=2008-03-14]

On July 10, 2007, a rebuttal was posted by Mark Leon Goldberg on the United Nations affairs blog against the accusations made in the title track of the album, "United Abominations". Goldberg reviewed the song verse-by-verse, pointing out false accusations.cite web| author=Goldberg, Mark Leon |date=2007-07-10 |url=http://www.undispatch.com/archives/2007/07/critic_watch_me_1.php |title=Critic Watch: Megadeth Smackdown Edition |publisher=Undispatch.com |accessdate=2008-02-05] The blog stated that "we at UN Dispatch refuse to let Megadeth's witless screed go unchallenged. We listened [to the song] so you don't have to".

Track listing

All songs written by Dave Mustaine, except where noted.

# "Sleepwalker" – 5:53
# "Washington Is Next!" – 5:19
# "Never Walk Alone... A Call to Arms" (Mustaine, Glen Drover) – 3:54
# "United Abominations" – 5:35
# "Gears of War" – 4:26
# "Blessed Are the Dead" – 4:02
# "Play for Blood" – 3:49
# "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" – 4:11 (featuring Cristina Scabbia)
# "Amerikhastan" – 3:43
# "You're Dead" – 3:18
# "Burnt Ice" – 3:47

Bonus track (Japan pressing)

#

"Out on the Tiles" - 4:03 (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham) – 4:03 (Led Zeppelin cover)

Bonus track (pre-ordered copies)

#

"Black Swan" – 4:04

Personnel

Chart positions

References