The final touch of this latest BMG Music's MEGADETH reissue / remastering run is taking us to the 2011 originally released "Th1rt3en". An album that saw two longtime friends unite once again under the same banner, the return of David Ellefson to the lineup, ever since his departure after "The World Needs A Hero". It also presented a somewhat controversial musical approach, especially when making a comparison to the last two MEGADETH albums that were formidable.

On a personal note: I have always been in favor of second chances, yet I found out in this following review that I was ready to go the extra mile and give chances, way beyond the second. Long story short, nearly eight years ago, a dear colleague of mine and myself, co-wrote a review for this very album. Both of us saw good in it, yet the overall experience was that it lacked what it takes to be considered as one of the band's greatest of efforts. Now, eight years later, I stand with a reissue of that same album, reviewing it by myself. It is kind of weird, but then again, after playing it several times, it showed me how I matured musically due to my different perspectives concerning the music. That same maturity enabled me to find elements that were for the better, some of them that once I considered negative.

Back in the game. "Th1rt3en" commemorated MEGADETH's 13th album released, a number that has been questioned by its sacredness or curse. However, with all the festivities, it could have rendered as one of MEGADETH's gloomier albums, at times firing hints that this may be a one last ride before last rites. Its musical direction presented the band's straying further away from their speedy toughness and into a modernized summit of the 70's, a meeting between Heavy Metal and Hard Rock. Though there are still hard hitting with the undying soloing signatures, along with creative song structures, it is easy to notice the BLACK SABBATH influence taking over at times, nevertheless, it was rather interesting to me than foul.

One of the deepest tracks was actually "13". A dismal sort of balladry, unravels a version of a bitter end, although, as it progresses, under a heavier black cloud, it tells about a tiny glimpse of hope. Unlike the crunchier victory dance of "Victory", back from the "Youthanasia" album, "13" shows different times and reality, a crossroads that all its directions are an enigma. "Millennium Of The Blind" maintains coloring black with its dimness, but it sure has a sweet effect, same goes for "Deadly Nightshade".

Dave Mustaine didn't really let go of political statements, hidden or right at your face. "Public Enemy No.1" and the misery of "We The People", raised the intensity levels a bit while the anger some "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)", upon its melodies and mid-tempo, shares the pain. There are uplifts with shrapnels of energy charges such as the rough natured "Sudden Death" and "Fast Lane" that tread MEGADETH's older self in contemporary methods while the re-recordings of "New World Order" championing that small show of semi-Thrash Metal attempts.

Similar to the previous Digipacks, "Th1rt3en" endorses the fine artwork of the original album, starting Vic at the front center and the band in the back near his coffin, along with a pack of the undead. The booklet is in high quality, bearing the lyrics and credits without any written word history or other cool mentioning. I sense that you know my opinion about that already if you read my other reissue reviews of the band and if you don't, take a little time to do so. The remastering did its charms, maybe one of the motivators for this album. And as a bonus, the live version of "Public Enemy No.1" is right there for grabs, well done execution.

Some of you people might think "Wow man, you give this album 6.5/10 last time we noticed, and now a 8/10?". Like I mentioned earlier, eight years is a long way the go, and there have been numerous albums that back in their day left me searching for something else to listen and only recently, made their way to my good side. Metal music, or any kind, is of how you perceive it. It doesn't mean that you have to be old to be wise, but time helped open my mind more, when it comes to Metal and Rock of course. So, there you have it. I'd say, give this album a good go.