NASHVILLE |DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2004
FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON/MITCH SCHNEIDER
MEGADETH:
ICONIC BAND’S “BLACKMAIL THE UNIVERSE TOUR”
PLAYS TO SOLD-OUT CROWDS AS THEIR
‘THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED’ ALBUM AMASSES CRITICAL PRAISE
AND SALES OF MORE THAN 100,000 COPIES
DAVE MUSTAINE was given a thunderous hero’s welcome when MEGADETH’s “Blackmail The Universe” tour roared into the Palladium in Hollywood, CA where the Southern California native (who had lived in Arizona for a few years) told the rabid throng, “I’m baaaaaaack! I’ve moved back to California so we’re neighbors again!”
Packed with one classic after another as well as songs from the return-to-form new album THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED, MEGADETH’s galvanic 10/29 performance underlined the breakneck rhythms, scorching guitar licks, snarling vocals and unflinching lyrics that have been central to the iconic group’s legend. Masterfully wielding his custom ESP guitar, MUSTAINE and his band-mates (Glen Drover on guitar, James MacDonough on bass and Shawn Drover on drums) merged such gems as “Symphony of Destruction,” “Sweating Bullets” and “Peace Sells” with new songs “Die Dead Enough,” “Kick The Chair” and “Something That I’m Not” from THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED. Released September 14 on Sanctuary Records, it debuted on the charts at #18 and has already sold over 100,000 copies. “Die Dead Enough,” the album’s first single, is buzzing on over 130 radio stations nationwide.
The North American “Blackmail The Universe” tour launched 10/23 in Reno and has been marked by numerous sell-outs. Here are the in-progress tour dates, with overseas dates expected to be confirmed soon. Also check out a sampling of the critical praise for THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.
“…it’s a mix of furious riffing and pointed, often politically charged lyrics.”
Richard Bienstock, GUITAR WORLD, August 2004
“THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED is Megadeth’s most vengeful, poignant, and musically complex offering since 1992’s Countdown to Extinction…anyone questioning whether Megadeth are still relevant need only check out such incendiary tracks as ‘Kick the Chair,’ ‘Something I’m Not,’ and ‘Truth Be Told.’…Megadeth are not just back, they’re paranoid, pissed, and motivated to destroy.
Jon Wiederhorn, REVOLVER, September 2004
“An early contender for metal album of the year…"
Jeff Kerby, KNAC.COM, September 14, 2004
“…we’re happy to report that Megadeth’s 10th album is also their best since their fourth, 1990’s RUST IN PEACE.”
Nancy Miller, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, September 17, 2004
"A vintage Megadeth staple of cynical lyrics, chugging riffs and dueling guitar solos, the new album also features rich vocal harmonies and string arrangements."
Gelu Sulugiuc, REUTERS, September 17, 2004
“Mustaine’s zippery, raking riffs recapture the spidery grandiosity (‘Blackmail the Universe’) and gothic melodrama (‘The Scorpion’) that have been MIA from Megadeth’s records since 1990’s RUST IN PEACE. Founding guitarist Chris Polland returns for some mighty shredding, and Mustaine’s paranoid, apocalyptic sneer hasn’t sounded this relevant in years.”
Carly Cairoli, BLENDER, October 2004
"…[Mustaine is] an opinionated musical genius and guitar virtuoso…System" is the most personal Megadeth album yet, but it's still hard-hitting and familiarly biting. Clever, metaphorical tunes like "The Scorpion" document the madness of Mustaine's drug addiction, when he sings, "As I climb onto your back/I will promise not to sting/I will tell you what you want to hear and not mean anything/I will treat you like a dog, as I shoot my venom in/Cuz you knew all along/I am a scorpion." It's brilliant. Blend words like that with superb, catchy riffs, and you have a metal masterpiece.
Devin Comiskey, HARTFORD COURANT, September 16, 2004
"The System Has Failed is such a great record, recalling their creative glory days of Rust in Peace…the record starts off with 'Deth's biggest bang in years, 'Blackmail the Universe,' a galloping piece of pure apocalyptic metal in the vein of 'Holy Wars,' complete with interesting time changes and great solo work…"
Dave Anderson, ELECTRICBASEMENT.COM, October 4, 2004
“…It’s all about epic vision, a dictatorial single-mindedness and a refusal to lie down."
Paul Rogers, LA WEEKLY, October 28, 2004
Date City Venue
Fri 11/5 St. Louis, MO Pops
Sat 11/6 Ft. Wayne, IN Pierre’s
Sun 11/7 Cleveland, OH Odeon
Tue 11/9 Washington, DC Nation
Wed 11/10 New York, NY Roseland
Fri 11/12 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Sat 11/13 Boston, MA Avalon Ballroom
Sun 11/14 Montreal, QUE Metropolis
Tue 11/16 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
Wed 11/17 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Thu 11/18 Grand Rapids, MI The Orbit Room
Fri 11/19 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
Sun 11/21 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings
Mon 11/22 Regina, SAS Doris Knight Hall
Tue 11/23 Edmonton, ALB Reds
Fri 11/26 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
Sat 11/27 Seattle, WA Moore Theater
Sun 11/28 Spokane, WA Big Easy
Mon 11/29 Portland, OR Roseland
Wed 12/1 Mexico City, MEX Sports Palace
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