UMUR "United Abominations" is the 11th full-length studio album by US thrash/heavy metal act Megadeth. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in May 2007. It´s the successor to "The System Has Failed" from 2004 and features an almost completely new lineup since the predecessor, as the only remaining member of the lineup who recorded "The System Has Failed (2004)" is lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Mustaine has brought in the Drover brothers Glenn and Shawn (Eidolon) on guitars and drums respectively and former White Lion bassist James Lomenzo was brought in to complete the quartet lineup.

The material on "United Abominations" is the sound of Megadeth as we know them. Melodic thrash/heavy metal featuring sharp riffs, a skilled and well playing rhythm section, great guitar harmonies and blistering solo work, and Mustaine´s distinct sounding snarling vocals in front. Mustaine has increased his melodic singing over the years, and his most raw snarling has decreased, but there is generally a good balance between the two styles on "United Abominations". He also talks/sings on some parts and Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil performs guest vocals on the re-recording of "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)".

Initially I didn´t understand the idea of re-recording a song, which in its original form is already a Megadeth evergreen, but I must say that this re-recorded version is quite the treat. "United Abominations" is overall a very well written and for the most part instantly catchy and memorable album, but a little criticism would be that it is frontloaded with the best quality material. The first five tracks on the tracklist are all great and the above mentioned re-recording of "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" is also a highlight, but some of the closing tracks on the album aren´t that remarkable ("Burnt Ice" is quite a nicely fierce thrasher though). Mind you there´s nothing of a bad quality here, just a couple of tracks which aren´t that memorable beyond their playing time (and there are some pretty awful lyrics which mare "Amerikhastan").

"United Abominations" features a powerful, heavy, and detailed sounding production, which suits the material perfectly and does what the best production do...make the material shine. Upon conclusion "United Abominations" is a step up in quality from the 2004 comeback album "The System Has Failed". Megadeth sound like a band on this album and not just a solo project by Mustaine released under the Megadeth monicker (which "The System Has Failed (2004)" pretty much was). And that´s not to take away from "The System Has Failed (2004)" which is a great album in its own right, but to my ears this one just sounds more like a "real" Megadeth album. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

martindavey87 Following on from 2004’s triumphant return from hiatus (actually, retirement, to be precise), Megadeth’s 2007 album, ‘United Abominations’ sees the band continue along with a renewed vigour, as Dave Mustaine and a fresh line-up charges on with the thrash metal sound of old, proving that Megadeth can still maintain relevance in the new millennium.

Stylistically, this isn’t much different than its predecessor, ‘The System Has Failed’, however, while that album was mostly a Dave Mustaine solo effort with a bunch of guest musicians, ‘United Abominations’ comes from a band united (no pun intended). It’s clear that there’s a chemistry amongst everyone, and a high standard of musicianship. Brothers Glen and Shawn Drover (guitarist and drummer respectively) have already crafted a name for themselves with their band Eidolon, and bassist James LoMenzo has cut his teeth with an impressive résumé which includes the likes of Black Label Society, David Lee Roth and Tim “Ripper” Owens.

And the results are evident immediately, with some of the bands most furious guitar riffs, and an interplay not seen since the days of ‘Rust in Peace’ back in 1990. The music is incredibly tight, and Dave Mustaine’s vocals are as vicious and hate-filled as ever.

If there was any doubt that Megadeth’s comeback was a flash in the pan, then tracks like ‘Sleepwalker’, ‘Never Walk Alone... A Call to Arms’, ‘Washington is Next’, ‘Pray for Blood’, ‘Amerikhastan’ and a rather unnecessary but still pretty cool re-recording of their 1994 hit ‘A Tout le Monde’ are all proof that Megadeth are well and firmly back to their thrash metal roots, with ‘United Abominations’ being another high-quality album among an already impressive discography.

Kingcrimsonprog I was delighted with The System Has Failed which was a step in the right direction musically in my opinion, it might have been a little more Youthanasia than Peace Sells but the important point is that the songs were great, the production was punchy again after three flat sounding records, and Dave sounded angry for the first time in years.

United Abominations, takes that ball and runs with it, coming across very much as a thrashier, harder and faster version of The System Has Failed. The great thing however, is that even if you forgot that a subgenre called thrash had ever existed, this would still be an absolutely phenomenal record.

There are no weak tracks, the guitar solos are good, the production job is good and the album feels more like a cohesive band effort than the previous record did.

While the album thankfully got the praise it got, some people remained suspicious. There have been a fair amount of criticisms made on some fairly petty things. So on the album artwork, skeletal-mascot Vic has skin? So the band re-recorded their classic track ‘A Toute Le Monde,’ ? So What ? it was a great song then, and its still the same song, and who really cares about the mascot on the artwork when the music is so great.

If you enjoy the music of Megadeth, aren’t stuck in the past, can overlook those petty flaws and if you can get over the lyrics then you will surely love United Abominations. Peace Sells, but Buy this instead.