User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 69
  2. Negative: 6 out of 69
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  1. Sep 3, 2022
    5
    Eh, it was okay. I understand that the band could've tried to mix some of their late 90's stuff with modern thrash metal, but it came out as a rarely satisfying record with perhaps few songs actually being competent enough.
  2. Feb 22, 2018
    7
    Nice album with good old vibes.
    Not every track is great but overall it feels pretty good.
  3. Nov 19, 2016
    8
    A nice album but it have some filler songs like Guns, Drugs, & Money and Fast Lane. Overall nice album but not so thrashy as United Abominations or Endgame.
  4. Aug 23, 2012
    8
    The thirteenth Megadeth album, this album has some fantastic thrash metal songs, Dave Mustaine (vocals,lead/rythm guitar) and Chris Brodericks (lead/rythm guitar) back and forth guitar solo's really light up the tracks, some great and heavy bass lines from the returning David Ellefson (founding member, left in 2002), and some fantastic and heavy drumming from Shawn Drover, really make thisThe thirteenth Megadeth album, this album has some fantastic thrash metal songs, Dave Mustaine (vocals,lead/rythm guitar) and Chris Brodericks (lead/rythm guitar) back and forth guitar solo's really light up the tracks, some great and heavy bass lines from the returning David Ellefson (founding member, left in 2002), and some fantastic and heavy drumming from Shawn Drover, really make this a great, modern Megadeth album you dont want to miss out on. The album includes the singles Sudden Death, Public Enemy Number One, and Who's Life Is It Anyway's, and some old re-recorded demos, like New World Order, millennium of the blind, and Black Swan. Most of the tracks on this album are pretty great and stand out, but there are a few more forgettable tracks. i find sometimes a few of the songs can tend to blend in together, but i love that a lot of the tracks almost have a different tone each. Public enemy number one, we the people, and whose life is it anyways are really catchy, solid tunes that will have you tapping your foot or shaking your head along uncontrollably. Then it has tracks like millennium of the blind, black swan, and especially thirteen, that have a lot of of feeling to them, and has a very powerful sound. Of course then you have tracks like sudden death, never dead, and fast lane, which are straight up intense and heavy tracks. the lyrics are pretty great on songs like public enemy number one, we the people, and especially 13, but on some other tracks the lyrics aren't as memorable. We the people, guns drugs and money, and new world order, have a lot of intense, great political lyrics, and the song 13 has some of my favorite lyrics from any Megadeth song. The riffs are great and catchy, the solo's are incredibly intense, the bass lines are solid, Daves vocals have a very vintage, almost old sounding tone to them, which sounds great, and the drumming, while very intense, could be a bit more varied, as many of the songs have very similar beat and fills. Now having recently undergone back surgery, of which they went through his throat, Dave singing abilities are less than what they used to be. his very high range from before has been brought down quite a bit for this album and endgame, but his voice has a heavier, more grunt like tone to it, which makes Daves voice sound pretty great. Also, the riffs, rhythms, and solo's that Dave Mustaine has written for this album are top notch, he can lay down a wickedly complex rhythm while Chris solos away, and when its his turn to solo, get ready to head bang, as Daves solos's on this album are fantastic. I wouldn't say as good as endgame, if we use the previous album for comparison, but he still shreds wildly fast, integrates feeling as well in the solo's, and keeps the back and forth soloing as intense as ever. And Chris Broderick once again rocks the songs with his insanely fast and technically appalling guitar solos. after an 8 year absence, David Ellefson makes a comeback and returns as Megadeths bassist. and Shawn Drover once again pounds on the double kick and fantastic drumming. Dave Mustaine said his inspiration for the album name, and the song Thirteen, is how often the number 13 has showed up in his life. While i don't think this album tops endgame, which i think was an amazing snap back to pure thrash, i still think that this is a great, heavy thrash metal album, and i would recommend it to any metal fan. I really think that with this album, Megadeth has hit a new sound, Daves vocals keep getting better and better, stronger and stronger since the back surgery, and his guitar solos, riffs, rhythms, and writing styles have aged fantastically, Chris's solo's keep getting more and more intense, Shawn keeps using wild drum techniques and styles to keep us head banging, and David Ellefson is back in action. I think the best of megadeth is yet to come, and this album has definitely paved the way, to Megadeth's new modern sound. Expand
  5. Jun 10, 2012
    4
    eh. I'm a huge Megadeth fan, but this was a pretty mediocre effort. Endgame took fans by surprise when it saw Megadeth return to it's thrash metal roots, but Th1rt3en is mearly a compilation of redone tracks from old demos. Sure there are a few new songs, but those were only written for soundtrack albums to video games. New World Order, Black Swan, Never Dead, and Sudden Death areeh. I'm a huge Megadeth fan, but this was a pretty mediocre effort. Endgame took fans by surprise when it saw Megadeth return to it's thrash metal roots, but Th1rt3en is mearly a compilation of redone tracks from old demos. Sure there are a few new songs, but those were only written for soundtrack albums to video games. New World Order, Black Swan, Never Dead, and Sudden Death are really the only standout tracks here, and 3 out of those 4 had already been released. Here's hoping your next release is better. Expand
  6. Feb 15, 2012
    6
    This album starts off very slow; so slow in fact, I almost considered returning it before I got halfway through the CD. But as the tracks past and time flew by, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this purchase was not a total let down. Being a huge Megadeth fan, I was really hoping for an awesome follow up to "Endgame" and "United Abominations". In this regard, I was severelyThis album starts off very slow; so slow in fact, I almost considered returning it before I got halfway through the CD. But as the tracks past and time flew by, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this purchase was not a total let down. Being a huge Megadeth fan, I was really hoping for an awesome follow up to "Endgame" and "United Abominations". In this regard, I was severely disappointed. The album is mediocre at best. Dave should have left the first four tracks off the final album. So skip to track five if you want to avoid a total let down. The lyrics are really the worst part about the album. I found little depth and meaning to the lyrics compared to all the previous Megadeth albums. Of course, if you are a fan you'll buy the album. Just don't expect too much. Expand
  7. Jan 21, 2012
    7
    Megadeth still proves, that their quality hasn't decreased while still repeatiting same mistakes over and over. The solos are great, just like always. Unfortunely the drums still feel like they lack in variation. Lyrics are also very boring and don't feel unique at all. You will enjoy this album, if you're more into guitar and bass than vocals and drums.
  8. Nov 10, 2011
    9
    This album ,to me,has that classic "feel"that the last 3 albums,though impressive technically,were lacking. I Absolutely love the song "Public enemy number 1" Sounds like something right off of countdown to extinction."Black Swan" and"Millenium of the blind" are great too. The production is very modern with a clean,crisp sound-Something many bands today can't seem to accomplish.Overall,I'dThis album ,to me,has that classic "feel"that the last 3 albums,though impressive technically,were lacking. I Absolutely love the song "Public enemy number 1" Sounds like something right off of countdown to extinction."Black Swan" and"Millenium of the blind" are great too. The production is very modern with a clean,crisp sound-Something many bands today can't seem to accomplish.Overall,I'd say that songwriting-wise this is their strongest effort since Cryptic Writings(1997) Endgame,while a fantastic album,had a little too much guitar wankering,and not enough*SONGWRITING*.This is a GREAT album,And it will take many listens to draw that conclusion,this album is a grower(Most of the best albums are) Once again,great job Megadeth-4 Awesome albums in a row now..Can they keep it up? I'm going to enjoy finding out! Collapse
  9. Nov 10, 2011
    10
    I enjoy how each track seems to come from a different period in the bands history. Lots of grinding riffs and blazing solos combined with modern production quality. Not my favourite Megadeth album, but it's a step up from Endgame!
  10. Nov 4, 2011
    10
    love this album! Nice to see one band is not losing their mojo and selling out like others from the time! I recommend this album to any metal fans from the days.
  11. Nov 3, 2011
    7
    Very solid overall. It's not as epic or in-your-face as Endgame and I had some issues with it's pacing throughout but Thirteen is still a great album.
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 22, 2011
    60
    Basically, it's a Megadeth album; no more, no less, no change. [Jan 2012, p.124]
  2. Kerrang!
    Nov 17, 2011
    60
    Megadeth are simply a little bit mid-paced, even monochromatic. [5 Nov 2011, p.51]
  3. Nov 11, 2011
    60
    In between standout tracks like Public Enemy No. 1, Never Dead and Fast Lane is less remarkable filler, and Mustaine's socially conscious lyrics are sometimes cringe-worthy. But his snarling vocals and guitar work never get old, and the production has a warmer, more vintage feel than steely recent albums.