Mustaine releases new Megadeth album

Fallbrook resident Dave Mustaine, along with the rest of his band and Roadrunner Records, have released the newest Megadeth album.

“United Abominations” was released May 15 and contains eleven songs. Mustaine plays lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars as well as handles the lead vocals for Megadeth, and he is joined by Glen Drover on lead and rhythm guitars, James LoMenzo on bass guitar, and Shawn Drover on the drums. Mustaine is also joined by Cristina Scabbia, who normally performs with Lacuna Coil, for a duet of A Tout le Monde, a song Mustaine originally sang solo on Megadeth’s “Youthanasia” album.

“United Abominations” is Megadeth’s 11th album and the band’s first since “The System Has Failed” was released in 2004. “United Abominations” is also the first Megadeth album with LoMenzo and the Drover brothers. The Drover brothers, who had been in the band Eidolon, joined Megadeth in 2004 after the recording of “The System Has Failed” but in time for that album’s tour. LoMenzo, who was formerly with White Lion and Black Label Society, joined the band in 2006.

“United Abominations” is also the first Megadeth album to be released by Roadrunner Records. Although Mustaine recorded “United Abominations” under his contract with ESP Guitars, he has since signed a contract with Dean Guitars, which has introduced the Dave Mustaine VMNT V-neck model.

The songs on “United Abominations” include some providing Mustaine’s political commentary; he takes a shot at the United Nations on the title track while expressing his dissatisfaction with the United States leadership in “Washington is Next,” “Amerikhastan,” “Blessed Are the Dead” and “Gears of War.” Mustaine also addresses drug use in “Burnt Ice” while warning against feelings of safety in “Sleepwalker,” “Never Walk Alone/A Call to Arms,” “Pray for Blood,” and “You’re Dead” and reminding loved ones of continued memories in “A Tout le Monde.”

Mustaine founded Megadeth in 1983 after being dismissed from Metallica. The band’s first album, “Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good,” was released in 1985.