Review Summary: Final thoughts: Don't bother. There are a small number of tracks worth listening to but they're not even that special that you won't feel you have missed out on not hearing them.
The star of the album had to be the lovely instrumental of track 8, Conque
I wrote this review on a track by track basis as I was listening to them.
Track 1 - The Treat is Real:
Good guitars, couple of decent riffs, solo seems a bit generic, alright but nothing special (still better than something I could produce of course). Singing/lyrics are sub par.
Not off to a great start it seems.
Track rating 5/10.
Track 2 - Dystopia (title track):
Nice guitar intro, good sound to it. Bit of a slower pace than the last one but it works. Prefer the solo in this, works a bit better, although I feel some of it could be cut. Pace change about the 3 minute mark. Feel the song goes on too long and the lyrical content is too similar to the opener.
Track rating 6/10
Track 3 - Fatal Illusion:
Very boring opening, should have just started with the bass at the minute mark. From here a decent set of riffing can be heard followed by a fairly decent solo. Oooh, a wee swear word thrown in here, cheeky.
So far I have enjoyed this track the most, but still nothing special.
Track rating 6/10
Track 4 - Death From Within:
This is not an album with strong song openers. I feel I am noticing a theme emerging in these lyrics. In this critics honest opinion this is not a great song, it's not even a good song. There is a brilliant riff in this song but the rest of the song drags it down, shame it could have been used somewhere else.
Track rating 4/10
Track 5 - Bullet To The Brain:
Our token acoustic offering it appears to begin this track followed by quite a groovy riff. Despite the lyrics, this is turning out to be a decent track. A nice slower, more precise, less rushed solo fits the song quite well I feel.
The main riff feels very familiar but I can't quite place it.
Track rating 6/10
Track 6 - Post American World:
"The planet's become one big spinning disaster" I'm afraid the same could be said about this latest Megadeth album Dave. If this song made the album I'd hate to hear what they decided to leave off the record!
The solo is this songs only saving grace but unfortunately too little too late.
Track rating 2/10
Track 7 - Poisonous Shadows:
Another mediocre song that this reviewer feels could've been left behind, quality over quantity fellas. The album started off somewhat strong but it has definitely deteriorated at this stage, I can only hope they pick it up for the last tracks. Not only was this track too long, it shouldn't have been on the album.
Track rating 2/10
Track 8 - Conquer or Die:
This nice instrumental track is a breath of fresh air after the previous two horrendous tracks. The worst part is I feel it would have ent in nicely after track 5.
So far the best song on the album by far!
Track rating 8/10
Track 9 - Lying in State:
Well I guess that was short lived.... Back to the average tracks of the beginning. On its own this just reminds me of the past few albums, nothing truly great to them unfortunately, I had high hopes after track 8.
A return to the familiar, nothing special.
Track rating 4/10
Track 10 - The Emperor:
Slight change of pace on this one with a more "rocking" sound to it. It isn't bad but it isn't great either but compared to other songs on this album it's a masterpiece. I rather enjoyed the solo.
A move into a "rockier" sound has helped this album's closing tracks.
Track rating 5/10
Track 11 - Foreign Policy: Aaaand we're back down again. At 2 minutes and 28 seconds this song is still 2 minutes and 28 seconds too long. Just unnecessary again, Dave learn to cut away the weaker tracks!
They must have had a track quota to meet here.
Track rating 1/10.
Track 12 - Melt the Ice Away: "Save the best to last" A saying that Dave Mustaine has obviously never heard before. I went into this song thinking it would be the redeeming feature of the album but no, it is once again an average piece of music.
If I was producing this album it would be six tracks long.
Track rating 3/10.
