What a number is thirteen, hah? May it be cursed or blessed to factions of our society, it serves as an emblem. Thirteen is also a count of something thirteen times, like in this here case, a number of albums. Wow, thirteen albums by the same artists it is a huge landmark. However it is unknown why bands choose to involve this number with an album title. In Metal music ANVIL did the same with their "This Is Thirteen" so why not for a larger scale of a band to do the same. Dave Mustaine's MEGADETH released its thirteenth album, "Th1rt3en", with an original mixing of letters and numbers. Is this a cause for celebration?

"Th1rt3en" felt is if it was released too fast, at least from this end. Without too much endorsing the success of the previous "Endgame", MEGADETH stormed with new material. In overall, it is a smart marketing move like "Hit 'em when they are occupied". Nevertheless, it took almost the same period of time to release "Endgame" after "United Abominations", so the problem is that "Th1rt3en" seems to be behind its previous in material quality. So with respects to the achievement of releasing this number of albums, there isn't that much to rejoice is there?

Ever since "The System Has Failed" where supposedly MEGADETH had more elements of their sweet older selves, Mustaine tried to remain in the Metal zone. He broke the chains of the mainstream stuff the wrecked the previous later 90s albums while in the same time only restoring a few of the speedier and thrashier stuff that his band sucked its glory from. In overall it worked quite well for MEGADETH as the albums, til now at least, were rather good. Unfortunately, "Th1rt3en" comes only as a solid marker.

Mustaine seemed to want to play everything from Speed / Thrash, Heavy Metal and even some notations of American oriented Hard Rock. Furthermore, and it shows from some of the rhythm riffs and lead section, that there was a possible intent to smear some 80s and early 90s MEGADETH. Those moments were integrated roughly with the new MEGADETH image. Sometimes it worked for the better and sometimes for the worst. All in all, this album displayed once again the powerful cooperation of Mustaine and Broderick in the solo division. Sadly that those Mega moments didn't last on the other aspects of the release.

"Sudden Death" reminded me why MEGADETH were the biggest of the big four, at least in the late 80s and early 90s. The lead guitar mixes of Mustaine and Broderick reminded the work of the former with Marty Friedman. The rest of the track was more of a cool Heavy / Speed Metal good quality that sadly wasn't quite continued as the album progressed. "New World Order" is a small historical moment on its own. Back in 1995 it was released as a mere bonus feature and now it has finally gotten the recognition it deserves. This number is MEGADETH before the mutation of "Cryptic Writings" that changed MEGADETH into something that tired. The re-recording was great as the band did an even version than before. "Wrecker" & "Black Swan" are very nice tracks in the vein of "Cryptic Writings"'s "She-Wolf". Those two are pretty much the face of today's MEGADETH. While surging to remain a gruesome Metal figure, there is always a room for a bit of cheese and catchiness. Some of the other tracks as "Guns, Drugs & Money" and the METALLICA black album oriented "Deadly Nightshade" were similar but not that thrilling.

Although this is not the thirteen expected from a Big Four member, this is their new direction and it is respected. "Th1rt3en" won't entirely serve well MEGADETH diehard fans but it will answer the prayers of lead guitar fanatics. MEGADETH should take a little more time with the following release before coming up because Mustaine and the guys can do better than that. Fourteen can be the charm and if it will be "Rust In Peace" or "Peace Sells" that would be sublime.