Entertainment
Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead! (2022)
Megadeth is back with ellipsis in their titles and with a new album since 2016! They are my favorite band, but how much bias will the JAR have?

Okay so I’m trying not to act like an excited child at Christmas for this. Megadeth has been my favorite band for over 20 years now, and I’ll be the first to admit; they’ve had some clunkers of albums. Risk (1999) was aptly named, and Super Collider (2013) was pretty terrible through and through. But their previous album Dystopia (2016) brought back a bit more teeth.
Now the huge gap in the timeline was because of a few things, lead vocalist Dave Mustaine had throat cancer, so even though the music was close to finished, the vocals were delayed. And as you can see, he’s made it through to the other side of the diagnosis. Let’s also not overlook the drama with long time bassist David Ellefson with the allegations of him having a sexually explicit relationship with a young woman who at the time was of age, but there was also allegations of grooming since she was a minor. Oh also, covid. It’s been an busy couple of years.
But with Junior kicked from the band, and a new drummer was debuting on this one regardless, this has a chance to reinvigorate things; or will we just let them Rust in Peace.
Megadeth is: Dave Mustaine (Guitars & Lead Vocals), Kiko Loureiro (Guitars & Flute), Dirk Verbeuren (Drums) *Steve Di Giorgio (Bass for the album), James LoMenzo (Bass for the touring)
- Artist: Megadeth
- Album: The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead!
- Label: Tradecraft/Universal
- Total Track Time: 55:10
The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead starting off with the titular track tells me on thing, this is probably a slower to open song that will eventually get heavy. It’s been more evident since The System Has Failed but the slow open into something fast and attacking, it usually how they like to set the tone with albums. As for the lyrics, it focuses on the Black Plague, so the analogous aspect is there on why its a relevant song, so lets hope they stop here. It does contain a lot of interest riffs that remind me of some of their hard rock covers, like Out on the Tiles. The song never gets extremely heavy or attacking, but it does have a solid riff and rhythm throughout to keep it from getting boring. Life in Hell feels very much like a Countdown to Extinction song, the tempo is quick, the chorus is simple and catchy, “I’m a disease, and I’m addicted to myself, I’m all I need, I’m gonna live and die in Hell, ha!”, definitely feels like a combination of High Speed Dirt and Captive Honour. Lyrics are of course the self absorbed celebrity type, but I just like that musically it slots in well with a previous album. Night Stalkers feat Ice-T this was the second single to get released. The gallop and trademark speed is very present in the song, as for the song being simply fast and cool about black ops military. Ice-T was brought in apparently partially due to his military background and his verse fits very well into the song. It kinda breaks up the song into halves, and even though it’s over 6 minutes long, it doesn’t drag.
Dogs of Chernobyl this is a song that many were expecting to be break neck speed, but Mustaine flipped the expectation. This is a somber, dark and slowly evolving metaphor for a failed relationship. Comparing abandonment to that of a dog of Chernobyl. Lyrically it has some similar tones to In My Darkest Hour but the atmosphere is less torn and upset and more tormented and spiteful. The hook actually flows really well musically, poetically and is just super easy to sing along to; “I see your face, wherever I turn, There’s blood on my lips, as my eyes start to burn, You vanished, and left me behind, Like one of the dogs of Chernobyl, Where did you go?”. The drums sound great in this song, it helps to encapsulate that feeling of your heart racing with all of the emotions, the fills, it’s just some of the best drumming since the Nick Menza years. Sacrifice is an odd combination of music. Instrumentally it sounds like it should be on Cryptic Writings or Super Collider, but the lyrics feel like the flipside of The Conjuring. Mustaine isn’t a stranger to applying magic to some of his songs, and this is definitely a cool little song about a wicked wizard summoning demons too afraid to break his infernal oaths. Musically think, FFF from Cryptic Writings.
Junkie, well if it’s one thing Mustaine knows as well, if not better than fast licks, it’s drugs. The song has a little more of a punk laden groove then the straight forward Thrash attack, but it melodic and not terrible; if not a slightly overdone topic from Megadeth. They are using little spoken word elements in a lot of these first half songs, and I can’t really say they add a ton, but at least its not a complete distraction. Psychopathy this is a little interlude style of song that Megadeth love to do. I Know Jack and Dawn Patrol come to mind. It’s okay for what it is, but nothing will be better than Amerikhastan. Killing Time definitely feels like the first Diana song in years. It feels like there’s a lot of elements of 1000 Times Goodbye just sped up and definitely made a bit catchier. Plus with how its delivered the line “When you start moving your lips, I know that you’re lying”, has that good Trust level of ear worm. Trying to get out of a relationship about someone just clinging on to your and wasting your time, is doing nothing but, Killing Time. So its a clever enough application of Killing, especially when they have a few song titles that start with that word, so its nice for it to be a slightly different angle. Soldier On was the third single and the least “heavy” but has a catchiness about it. Reminding me a lot of The Disintegrators mixed with Tornado of Souls, the general melody mixed with the little bit of trash speed helps to ease the possible lyrical threads. It also helps they’ve been very military focused with some of the lyrics so even though, the song is about moving forward, possible through the pandemic, it also applies beyond the vacuum of the last few years. “Of all the battles won and lost, The lives and treasures that it cost, I know I’ve got to soldier on, Watching mankind destroy itself, Walk straight into the mouth of Hell”, the imagery can go a few ways, so I’m not as immediately irate at the content.
Célebutante hits the nail on the head for the current generation of “celebrity”. “It’s not a want, it’s an obsession, You wanna hear the people screaming out your name, Whispers at night in your midnight confessions, You’ll do anything for fame, célebutante”, the lyrics have a few nice zings that you expect from Mustaine, but the beauty in the song is the earworms that take you through a lot of former songs. The opening is a little Hit the Lights from his Metallica days, Looking Down the Cross, Hook in Mouth, and probably a few others but I’m not going to grind on one song for every Easter Egg. Definitely one of the highlights of the album so far. Mission to Mars, God this song is bad. Musically its not bad, it’s actually pretty good instrumentally, but sadly it’s not an instrumental. It sounds like Mustaine’s version of the most cliché 80s trash song. “And I wanna, I wanna be an astronaut, I wanna, I wanna, wanna” – that is a legit lyric. Mustaine who is known for sarcasm, wit and venom…wants to be a fucking astronaut. He can blast off this song from the god damn discography and then there’s more of the spoken word where he’s doing coms back and forth, only good thing to come from it is the “Rust in Peace” reference. But holy crap this is a waste of time.
We’ll Be Back this was actually the first single released, and damn is this a good song. Fast, attacking, blistering solos, little references back to Black Friday. Very smart to have this follow up the awful Mission to Mars song. We’ll be back is also cute to have a final song since it is reassuring that there will be more on the horizon, and with everything Megadeth and the world have come out of; a little blind hope is a nice touch.
Now even though it’s not part of the official release, they did also do a cover of Police Truck by Dead Kennedys and if we know anything, Megadeth can always nail the Punk covers. All things considered though, this isn’t a bad album at all. There’s 12 songs, with 1 throw away, 1 absolute piece of shit and 10 that range from good to complete banger. So that’s a little more than 80 percent of the album isn’t trash. Granted some were stronger that the others but I think everyone can agree this isn’t a bad offering from Megadeth. A bunch of drama, a few scares, a pandemic, and the biggest complaints will be 1 stupid astronaut song and a little light on the venom in the lyrics.
So while it’s not Rust in Peace 2.0, it feels more like a slightly more aggressive Cryptic Writings. Which honestly makes it the best Megadeth album since United Abominations (2007).
Final Judgment: 7.85/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Bandwagon Nerds
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news, DCU updates, and more!

Patrick returns to the show this week and leads the guys through a stacked Trailer Park, including the most recent previews of Old Guard 2, The Long Walk, Peacemaker Season 2, and Stick. Patrick also shares his thoughts with Dave and Tunney about Thunderbolts* and addresses some interesting rumors about what didn’t make it into the film. Meanwhile, Disney makes a very divisive decision about a 7th theme park, and President Trump’s trade war targets the film industry. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. If you are curious, we have answers, so make sure you tune in!
- @AttitudeAgg
- @WrestlngRealist
- @itsReyCash
- @PCTunney
- @itsmedpp
- @ViolentAesop
- @TheMindlessPod
- @therealcplatt
- @ChairshotMedia
- @BandwagonNerds
PROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot – Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!
About Bandwagon Nerds
Join Patrick O’Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It’s the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)
http://TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Prepare for the most electrifying even of the HPW calendar!
While the stage is set for Blood & Thunder 4 and the HPW World Trios Championships, HPW must also address the return of KAGE!
Thundra Plateau is ready.
Wrestling is Life, but life has its stormy weather. The rain is going to be hot in June, but will the reign continue through the Summer? The Dark Forces may have failed to take the Undisputed Triforce World Championship from Zelda, but they still have the World Trios Championships. Harlequin, Lupay & Glutko will step inside the double ring, double cage to defend their gold. On one side, Arrow Club’s special combination of Fin Balure, Torbevito & Bad Croc Scaly. On the other, a new combination of its own in Cia, Lana & Midna.
Speaking of Cia, Lana & Midna…
The three of them are together, dressed in workout attire, in what appears to be a dance studio. This is a collaboration stream for Midna and Lana as they’re both big presences on the internet, aka “influencers.” Lana and Midna wave and say hi, and they give introductions, including Cia, who is reluctant to be standing there. Cia doesn’t know why they need to do this. Lana says they have to improve their teamwork. They may have won against Los Taros Locos, but it was really sketchy there for a second. Midna adds that doing a dance routine together is great for their timing and coordination.
Cia says she didn’t mean that, she meant having to stream it! Oh, well obviously, combining Midna’s viewing audience with Lana’s, and HPW’s overall, this makes huge numbers! So? And huge money…! Cia raises her eyebrow and says, “Oh really?” The trio sets up, and Lana says obviously they first have to learn the steps. Midna brings up, “Wait, what song are we dancing to?” Oh, good point. Lana was thinking something from Lulu. Cia asks, “Lulu? From the Indigo-Go’s?” Midna says Lulu’s got a great solo album. Lana agrees! That’s so great that they like the same music. Cia isn’t as familiar with her solo stuff, so she’ll rely on them for this.
Lana suggests they go with Energetic Me. For one, it has the most energy, duh. And it still has a dance vibe, which is the whole point. Midna says she might’ve gone with Royal Discotheque or Ten Outta Ten, but she sees Lana’s point. Lana shows them the dance moves she has in mind. Left arm up, bent at the elbow, and the hand up against the side of the chest. Then they switch so the right arm goes up to mirror that position while the left hand goes back to the hip. Maybe add a little hip pop as that happens. Do that a couple times, and then turn to the right. This puts the left hand on the back of the hip, right hand on the back of the neck for a sexy pose.
Then you turn to flip it the other way, then do a 360 with a big neck whipping, hair flipping move. Then finish with feet apart and double V’s up by the eyes, maybe with a wink. Cia says, “Yeah, okay…” while Midna says, “I like it!” Midna says she’ll set up in the middle. Cia asks why Midna is in the middle, and Midna says it’s symmetry. She’s the tallest, Cia and Lana are about the same, it makes sense. Yeah, but it also means Midna is the center of attention. Well, that’s just coincidental. Lana says it doesn’t matter, the point is them doing it all in synch. Cia sighs and says, “Fine.” Midna is in the middle, Cia is on her right, and the music plays.
Left arm, right arm, left arm, right arm, pose to the right, pose to the left, 360 spin and neck whip, then double V. Midna nailed it, but Cia was lagging. Cia defends she was not, but Lana says it’s alright, they’ll just keep trying. They run through it a couple more times, they do tighten it up, and all three feel really good about how that went.
The Dark Forces are watching.
They aren’t impressed by the “little dance party.” Harlequin says the Faces of Evil are way better anyway. Especially with the classics like the Thriller dance and Macarena. Zant says, “The Macarena? Pfft, and people think I’m a dork…” Harlequin says, “Don’t you dare mock the Macarena!” Harlequin changes tabs on the computer and starts playing the song! After the introduction, he lifts his right arm up flat, then his left. Then he turns the right hand up, the left hand up, puts his right hand on his left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder, then moves right hand up behind his head, and then his left.
Now his arms crisscross, right hand on left hip and left hand on right hip, to then switch so right hand on right hip and left hand on left hip. And of course, he swivels his hips in one big circle to go with “HEY~ Macarena! AIGHT!” Zant rolls his eyes while Harlequin keeps going, jumping 90 degrees to his left. Ganon walks in, Ghirahim following behind, and he tells Harlequin to “turn that crap off.” Harlequin pouts but he does as told. Ganon seethes as he takes a seat in his big arm chair. “Needless to say… Wrestling is Life didn’t go how I’d hoped. What was Kage even doing there?! Did either of you have any idea he was going to betray us?!”
Zant and Ghirahim are a bit flustered. Zant isn’t even sure Kage was part of The Dark Forces at the time Ganon took ownership. He’d kinda gone rogue at some point, didn’t he? Ghirahim agrees, it didn’t seem like he was even aligned with Cia and the others. All the more reason for Kage to keep his nose out of Ganon’s business! If Kage cared about the Dark Forces, then he would’ve helped them fight back at HyruleMania, or any time since. Kage clearly just wants the title, same as Ganon, so he’s a dead man walking. Speaking of that… Where’s Kevin? He came back in April, why isn’t he here?
Somewhere dark and spooky…
Heavy footsteps can be heard echoing as Kevin Gibdo moves down the hallway. He speaks with a low, airy voice, “Majora… Your madness… spread like wildfire… You thought by setting me ablaze… I would crumble into ash… You were wrong! Instead, I have been purified…! Purged of flaws and weaknesses… I now come forth… as gold!” There’s a light at the end of the hall, and Kevin enters a grand hall, with treasure gleaming in the light. At the center is the sarcophagus. Kevin walks up to it, opens it, and then his burnt and tattered bandages fall away before he steps inside. The sarcophagus closes, then the eyes on it begin to glow… Then the entire thing glows!
The glowing becomes a shining light, and that shining becomes so bright that nothing can be seen. It is clear things between Kevin and Majora are not over. Will the Masked Monster even stand a chance once the Gibdo of All Gibdos is restored to full strength?
Back to the Dark Forces…
Shabonne says, “I’m sure Kevin is just fine doing whatever Gibdos do on their time off.” Tali says, “What matters is what I’m about to do to that tiny little weasel with the Goddess Championship. If The Dark Forces is gonna have all the gold, then I need to squash her like a bug and take that title off of whatever’s left!” Ganon nods and says he likes the initiative. Tali will start on her own Triple Crown as the Dark Forces will make Hyrule Pro-Wrestling their kingdom! The group cheers while raising a toast! And then Harlequin gets Glutko and Lupay to join in on the Macarena, to which Ganon groans and facepalms.
And so, the ThunderStruck card is set!
The double ring, double cage will rattle with Blood & Thunder as the HPW World Trios Championships are on the line! The Gerudo Ace looks to settle a grudge with the Hero’s Shadow! And now, the Million Rupee Championship and HPW Goddess Championships will also be on the line! Will the Dark Forces absolutely dominate the Summer? Be ready to endure the heat on Friday, June 20th!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!