Thirteen

Thirteen is a record on which Megadeth combines chopping riffs, intricately moving rhythm and Dave Mustaine’s signature ironic singing. Rather than merely chasing speed, it carefully creates the songs’ tension through mid-tempo weight and close dialogue between the guitars. It is a milestone as the band’s thirteenth studio album. From the speed of the opener “Sudden Death” and the catchy aggression of “Public Enemy No. 1” to the drama of “Whose Life (Is It Anyways?),” every song has a sharp bite, while cuts like “Never Dead” and the closing title track “13” give the album depth. That the longtime Ellefson returned, reviving the golden-era rhythm section, is also significant. Its appeal is that, while holding the raw feel of classic thrash, its sound is tightened in a modern, very tight way. Without chasing flashy experiment, you can carefully savor the riff-making and playing precision Megadeth does best. Holding both a veteran’s steadiness and sharpness, it is a solid, engaging record.