The System Has Failed

The System Has Failed
Album by Megadeth
Released	September 14, 2004
Recorded	???
Genre	Heavy Metal
Length	48 min 28 sec
Record label	Sanctuary Records
Producers	Dave Mustaine & Jeff Balding
Professional reviews
Allmusic.com review	4/5	link
Amazon.com review	NR	link
RollingStone review	NR	link
Megadeth Chronology
Rude Awakening (2002)	The System Has Failed (2004)	Back To The Start

The System Has Failed is the first Megadeth album to be released after the break-up of the band in 2002. It was released on September 14, 2004.

The "system" referred to in the album's title is "the American system and western civilization" which in Mustaine's opinion dictates what the world follows. Mustaine cites examples of such failure in America's educational system, which underpays its teachers and its court system, which allows criminals to escape punishment.

Musical style

The album's sound is characterised by fast, muscular, palm-muted riffs. The record was viewed by many as a return to the speed metal style exhibited on Rust in Peace, although it contains few traces of the technical complexity showcased on that record.

Production and marketing

Originally intended to be a solo album by its author Dave Mustaine, the record was re-branded with the Megadeth name as a result of contractual obligations owed to Mustaine's record company EMI. In an effort to avoid the financial cost and interpersonal conflicts associated with re-assembling the band's original line-up, Mustaine hired session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and with Jimmy Sloas (bass) to perform on the record. In a surprising move, Mustaine also hired former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland to perform guitar solos on a number of tracks.

Mustaine co-produced the record with Jeff Balding, who had previously engineered Cryptic Writings and Risk.

Songs

"Die Dead Enough" was released as the first single. Mustaine wrote the song in San Diego, California. He was asked to write it for the movie Tomb Raider II. The studio liked the song and offered $US25,000 for it. Mustaine was not satisfied with the offer and the song was never used.

"Something That I'm Not" was written about Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich.

"Shadow of Deth" was written about a "a hard, cold look at [Mustaine's] understanding of things religious in nature and spiritual", undertaken after his arm injury. The motto on Mustaine's coat of arms is "Auxilium meum a Domino" or "my health comes from the lord".

Track listing

1. "Blackmail The Universe" (4:33)
2. "Die Dead Enough" (4:18)
3. "Kick The Chair" (3:57)
4. "The Scorpion" (5:59)
5. "Tears In A Vial" (5:22)
6. "I Know Jack" (0:40)
7. "Back In The Day" (3:28)
8. "Something That I'm Not" (5:07)
9. "Truth Be Told" (5:40)
10. "Of Mice And Men" (4:05)
11. "Shadow Of Deth" (2:15)
12. "My Kingdom Come" (3:04)

References

• Rock Pages interview with Dave Mustaine Retrieved January 19, 2005.

• UnderGroundOnline interveiw with Dave Mustaine by Craine C Retrieved January 19, 2005.