RISK

LYRICS

The album either sucks or it's pretty good, depending on what you're looking for in the music. If you're looking for a speed metal thrashfest (i.e Rust in Peace), you're gonna be disappointed. If you're looking for more of a mainstream "coming-out" radio-friendly kind of album, you'll probably like it. That's how I view it. I was somewhat disppointed (actually I was pissed off beyond words) when I first heard it... but after listening to it for much of that week, it grew on me. It's not the MegadetH we Deathheads are used to.. but we have to accept that at the same time. Musicians can't stay in the same groove forever. It would be nice for us fans if they did, but it just doesn't work that way (if you're a musician, you know what I'm talking about). But enough talk, let's get to the music and the verdict...

Insomnia: cool song, like it better every time I hear it.. a really good riff is hidden under some really industrial sounds. Could be a classic when played live with traditional guitars.

Prince of Darkness: My favorite on the album.. the riff is an easy one, but still sounds good. I like this song because of the lyrics and the solo at the end. (It's likely this song was done to appease the older fans)....

Enter the Arena: complete waste of time and space.. nothing but an intro to "Crush 'em". slightly reminiscent of "Into the Lungs of Hell".. but only marginally...

Crush 'Em: Doesn't sound like them at all, and the more i hear this song the more I hate it. I think the Ben Grosse mix on the bonus cd sounds better. Somebody turn off the wrestling!!! Click here to hear a more in-depth review.

Breadline: This song sucks except for the insightful lyrics.. at first it sounds like another one of those VH Hagar-era songs that goes nowhere. Sad, but it makes "Crush 'em" sound like "Black Friday" or "Five Magics". I just don't like it as MegadetH.

The Dr is Calling: Kickass.. sounds like an Alice Cooper throwback with a Danzig riff (Prince of Darkness comes to mind...) The ending could be better, though.

I'll Be There: Decent at best.. lyrics are good, but another mainstream rock anthem.. the chorus saves this song. They can do better.

Wanderlust: I can't help but think that metallica had some kind of influence on this song. It sounds like something they would do. It's ok, though... at least there's a solo and a riff in there.

Ecstacy: Not a metal song, but I like it. It's got a nice cool feel to it. This is one time that MegadetH softens up and it's good.

Seven: This song sucks big time.. the first half is really bad, but the last half has a nice feel to it. That part sounds like an Aerosmith or AC/DC kinda song.. but the first half sucks too much to save it.

Time-the Beginning: Nice acoustic song. This sounds like the beginning (how ironic) of one of those great Testament ballads. Nothing wrong with that.

Time II-the End: Both parts (I&II) should have been combined to just one song. They're only 2-3 minutes long separately.. this song features a great riff and solo to compliment part I perfectly. This is the only song that really sounds like MegadetH. Only one problem: IT'S TOO DAMN SHORT!! Where's the rest of the song? I was waiting for them to go back into the first riff, or start playing fast, soloing, or something.. but no, they just dropped it. Hopefully the high parts of this song are an indication of what we will hear in the next album.

And that sums up the album... just a disappointment. It's ok, but they can do better. I was impressed for the most part with the lyrics on this release.
However, the album is totally absent of any real hard-to-play thrash riffs with solos above them... which is the real essence of MegadetH. There's not one song on here that really blows me away, like a "She-Wolf", "Holy Wars", or "Ashes in Your Mouth".
The title of this album is aptly named. This is a HUGE "Risk" for the band we know as MegadetH. Hopefully they will realize this and regain their sanity, reclaiming their place as the world's best thrash band. But for now, it's just not MegadetH anymore, it's mainstream hard rock. My rating: 6