For Week Ending:
7 January 2023

Megadeth - The Sick, The Dying. And The Dead! (2022)

[Thrash Metal]

Continuing on their winning streak from Dystopia (2016), Megadeth proved once again they still have what it takes on The Sick, The Dying. And The Dead. Loaded with plenty of old-school style thrashing (keeping the Droogies happy), the album bristles with energy, aided by the perfect production. The album starts slow on the title track, but quickly finds its feet with the lightning fast 'Life In Hell'. Frontman Dave Mustaine's voice is in fine form (although the snarl of old seems to be all but a memory these days), and the solos from him and guitar lead Kiko Loureiro are amazing with standouts like 'Dogs Of Chernobyl' exploding with trade-off shredding. It isn't all smiles, as there are more than a couple of cringy-worthy lyrics ('Mission To Mars' is a great example), but for the most part the album is packed with excellent songs, with tracks like 'Soldier On!' and 'Night Stalkers' smashing out vintage-sounding Megadeth riffs. Album closer 'We'll Be Back' is one of the best Megadeth songs of the last 20 years, and Dave's way of making it clear that he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Arist Information
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, responsible for the genre's development and popularization. Their music features complex arrangements and fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes of war, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships. In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, 'Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!', on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, 'Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?', was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including 'So Far, So Good... So What!' (1988), 'Rust In Peace' (1990), and 'Countdown To Extinction' (1992). Megadeth has undergone multiple lineup changes throughout its 41-year career, with Mustaine being the sole consistent member of the band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when he suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Screaming Jets - All For One (1991)

[Rock]

The first edition of Gravelling's provides a brief review on one of the most important debut records from an Aussie rock band that has become an institution in Australian rock history. I can't recall how I heard of the band when this record came out in 1991. Triple Y in Whyalla must have played some songs. That's the only way I would have heard the music before I went to the local record store and it had it there for sale. First track 'C'Mon' blew me away. 'Better' is the single that is still played on rotation today and for that reason it has become a song I don't like so much. If you have a close listen to the record, there are some gems in addition to those two tracks. 'Starting out' is a catchy track. 'Blue Sashes' buried in the second half of the record is a real call to arms, and I absolutely love this track. But is has to be 'Shine On' that is the true measure of how a ballsy pub rock band can put together a 'ballad' if you want to call it that (a slow song). It is catchy and a great song to sing. A great Aussie band that went onto smack out some more records that back up their first full-length.

Arist Information
The Screaming Jets are an Australian hard rock band formed in Newcastle, Australia, in 1989. The band has three albums that peaked in the top five on the Australian ARIA Charts.