Is The Sick, The Dying...and The Dead, One of Megadeth's Best Albums?

I have been listening to a lot of Megadeth over the last week.  Despite constant lineup changes, the band continues to have an impressive career.  The obvious highlight is Rust In Peace.  Dave Mustaine has had his ups and downs, but I give him credit for continuing to keep Megadeth alive and relevant.  Their most recent album The Sick, The Dying... and The Dead has been out for almost a year.  That is enough time to truly evaluate the album, on it's own merits and among the other albums in the catalog.  I would say that the album is definitely among my favorites, in my top five, for now.  The current lineup is my second favorite, after the classic Rust In Peace lineup.  I hope Mustaine is able to keep this lineup together.  Where does the new album rate for you?  Is is among Megadeth's best?

Last time I went through their catalogue, this one went down a bit on my list and Dystopia moved up. But I don’t think they have a bad album. (Risk isn’t a good Deth album, but it’s a decent album).

I do agree that this lineup is great.

Hmmm, not top five but maybe at number seven? Great album nevertheless.

Pethead wrote:Last time I went through their catalogue, this one went down a bit on my list and Dystopia moved up. But I don’t think they have a bad album. (Risk isn’t a good Deth album, but it’s a decent album).

I agree, no bad albums in their catalog, however there are a few that are not essential.

Black Rider wrote:Hmmm, not top five but maybe at number seven? Great album nevertheless.

Top seven ain't bad.  The band will never top Rust In Peace, but the new one is surprisingly good, Mustaine really surprised me with this one.

This album’s not even top 10 Megadeth for me. I didn’t care for it at all.

Follower of Jesus wrote:This album’s not even top 10 Megadeth for me. I didn’t care for it at all.

Wow, I loved the album from the first time that I played it. Dystopia was a solid album after a few less than stellar albums.  The newest one feels fresh and vital, for me their best in a long time.

I actually like Super Collider more than TStDatD at this point. That might change over time.

Pethead wrote:I actually like Super Collider more than TStDatD at this point. That might change over time.

Super Collider gets a bad rap, it is a solid album.

As good as some of the later albums have been musicianship wise… I still stick with the early albums. Especially Peace Sells and Rust in Peace. There’s something about those ones that cannot be recreated. I guess it’s the youthful energy and the spirit of the original 1980’s thrash movement.

TZ75 wrote:As good as some of the later albums have been musicianship wise… I still stick with the early albums. Especially Peace Sells and Rust in Peace. There’s something about those ones that cannot be recreated. I guess it’s the youthful energy and the spirit of the original 1980’s thrash movement.

At times the new album has a bit of a Rust In Peace feel to it.

TZ75 wrote:As good as some of the later albums have been musicianship wise… I still stick with the early albums. Especially Peace Sells and Rust in Peace. There’s something about those ones that cannot be recreated. I guess it’s the youthful energy and the spirit of the original 1980’s thrash movement.

Diddo. 

I generalize my viewpoint by saying most Megadeth albums are Dave Mustaine albums. The first few were actually group albums,  and that's why I think they excelled. 

So...if most Megadeth albums sound like Mustaine solo albums, perhaps Megadeth = Mustaine solo. In that case, the first few band-oriented albums should be called something other than Megadeth...

It's always been Dave as the driving force, I have no problem with it.

Sevenoneself wrote:
So...if most Megadeth albums sound like Mustaine solo albums, perhaps Megadeth = Mustaine solo. In that case, the first few band-oriented albums should be called something other than Megadeth...

Eeasy.
Metallica.

So, now we should figure out what all Metallica albums should be called.