Dystopia
by Megadeth
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 128 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 153
  3. Negative: 12 out of 153
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  1. Norgizfox
    Dec 7, 2016
    5
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  2. MentalMetalGuy
    Nov 11, 2016
    5
    Taken out of context in Megadeth's discography the album certainly is above the average modern trash metal release.

    It has the melodic edge, and some truly catchy riffs, but for somebody looking for something properly game-changing this is not the album. Similar to previous releases the songs are fast and brutal, but lack the quintessential energy that was present back in the 80s and    Taken out of context in Megadeth's discography the album certainly is above the average modern trash metal release.

    It has the melodic edge, and some truly catchy riffs, but for somebody looking for something properly game-changing this is not the album. Similar to previous releases the songs are fast and brutal, but lack the quintessential energy that was present back in the 80s and 90s. The honesty and bare-boned nature of their older stuff is no longer there, and now they almost sound like a parody of themselves.

    This is something all ageing metal acts have to come to grips with, as not all of them can age as well as say Overkill. Whether or not they should record a new album truly depends on their motives, either they want to earn some more cash under their recognisable name, or they have received divine inspiration that allows them to get in touch with their former, and glorious creative side.

    I think its alright. Sure, its not revolutionary, but tracks like "Conquer or Die" do remind me what these guys are capable of.    … Expand
  3. Lovdahl
    Jan 31, 2016
    5
    The playing on Dystopia is tight, with Adler's drumming being a major improvement over the previous album. Mustaine, as always, shines as a guitarist, as he throws ripping guitar riffs and solos all over the LP; however, it's his other contributions to the album that make Dystopia another generally mediocre Megadeth offering. While I think that Dave's finally coming into his own as aThe playing on Dystopia is tight, with Adler's drumming being a major improvement over the previous album. Mustaine, as always, shines as a guitarist, as he throws ripping guitar riffs and solos all over the LP; however, it's his other contributions to the album that make Dystopia another generally mediocre Megadeth offering. While I think that Dave's finally coming into his own as a singer, I've never appreciated his nasal vocal delivery. Usually Megadeth's greatest hindrance is Mustaine's idiosyncratic whine, but this time, it's the lyrics. Dystopia is peppered with frontman Dave's paranoid conspiracy ramblings, and while one can usually separate the performer from the art, Mustaine stitches his distasteful ideologies into the fabric of the music. I'm also not particularly fond of the production on the record. It's overly compressed and too squeaky clean for thrash metal. I guess that's the style nowadays, but I don't think it's appropriate.
    I would recommend fans of Megadeth (and American conservatism) to give this album a listen, but otherwise, skip it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. PopMatters
    Feb 26, 2016
    60
    While it’s a decent comeback effort Dystopia is nothing close to recent comeback triumphs like last year’s Purple from Baroness, or 2013’s The Next Day from David Bowie, however that doesn’t mean it’s a flop.
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  2. The Guardian
    Jan 28, 2016
    100
    Dystopia is an absolutely blistering return to the state-of-the-art bombast and refined technicality of past glories like Rust in Peace and Endgame.
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  3. The Quietus
    Jan 28, 2016
    70
    Interestingly, the tracks that fail to scale the same heights as those mentioned above don't take away from the general value of Dystopia, as there is enough underlying merit to be found.
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