The World Needs a Hero is the ninth studio album by Megadeth. On this one Megadeth returns a bit to their roots. It’s more in the style of Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia than the album directly previous to this. To me that’s definitely a good thing. These are albums I love, the latter ones just prior to this – not so much!
Marty Firedman has left the band and new guitarist Al Pitrelli and Jimmy DeGrasso returns as the drummer. Almost everything on The World Needs a Hero is written by Dave Mustaine and he also produced it. You could draw freak tendencies of that, but what do I know?
The quality of the songs themselves are a little eclectic. Some are quite good and some don’t really hit it for me. But over the whole spectrum the riff master is back in business. I’m so glad that this development took place. I do think that David Ellefson has remarkably little influence though. His bass playing is usually driving and a big part of the music, here I feel like it’s just laying the foundation without so much room for extraordinary bass riffs.
The songs aren’t as catchy as those on my favorite albums Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia, but it’s definitely a step back to excellence! It’s also an album that keeps growing the first few times you hear it. Strange though, the strongest songs are at the end. But nevertheless, Megadeth is back in business!
