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The System Has Failed





  Name The System Has Failed
  Type Album
  Artist Megadeth
  Cover Megadeth - The System Has Failedjpg
  Background orange
  Released September 14 , 2004
  Recorded
  Genre Heavy Metal
  Length 48:28
  Label Sanctuary Records
  Producer Dave Mustaine & Jeff Balding
  Last Album '' Rude Awakening '' <br /> (2002)
  This Album '''''The System Has Failed''''' <br /> (2004)
  Next Album '' Back To The Start '' <br /> (2005)


''The System Has Failed'' is the first Megadeth album to be released after the break-up of the band in 2002 . It was released on September 14 , 2004 .

The "system" referred to in the album's title is "the American system and western civilization" which in Mustaine's opinion dictates what the world follows. Mustaine cites examples of such failure in America's educational system, which underpays its teachers and its court system, which allows criminals to escape punishment.


MUSICAL STYLE

The album's sound is characterised by fast, muscular, Palm-muted riffs. The record was viewed by many as a return to the speed metal style exhibited on '' Rust In Peace '', although it contains few traces of the technical complexity showcased on that record.


PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Originally intended to be a solo album by its author Dave Mustaine , the record was re-branded with the Megadeth name as a result of contractual obligations owed to Mustaine's record company EMI. In an effort to avoid the financial cost and interpersonal conflicts associated with re-assembling the band's original line-up, Mustaine hired session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and with Jimmy Sloas (bass) to perform on the record. In a surprising move, Mustaine also hired former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland to perform guitar solos on a number of tracks.

Mustaine co-produced the record with Jeff Balding, who had previously engineered '' Cryptic Writings '' and '' Risk ''.


SONGS

"Die Dead Enough" was released as the first single. Mustaine wrote the song in San Diego, California . He was asked to write it for the movie ''Tomb Raider II''. The studio liked the song and offered US$ 25,000 for it. Mustaine was not satisfied with the offer and the song was never used. The video for the song included no band members besides Dave Mustaine ; and his children as actors.

"Of Mice and Men" was selected as the second video from the album. In this video the new Megadeth line up is performing - Dave Mustaine , Shawn Drover , Glen Drover and James MacDonough . The majority of the video was shot on January 20 , 2005 in Los Angeles. Numbers of Megadeth fans turned up to be in the video through a "contest" held by Sanctuary Group who funded the video. The video follows the autobiographical lyric of the song which tells the life of Dave Mustaine between the age of 17 to 25 years old.

"Something That I'm Not" was written about Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich .

"Shadow of Deth" was written about a "a hard, cold look at {Link without Title} understanding of things religious in nature and spiritual", undertaken after his arm injury. The song starts with the motto on Mustaine's coat of arms, which is "Auxilium meum a Domino" or "my health comes from the Lord".

The track "I Know Jack" includes a sample of Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen's famous response to Indiana Senator Dan Quayle during a 1988 TV debate.


TRACK LISTING

# "Blackmail The Universe" (4:33)
# "Die Dead Enough" (4:18)
# "Kick The Chair" (3:57)
# "The Scorpion" (5:59)
# "Tears In A Vial" (5:22)
# "I Know Jack" (0:40)
# "Back In The Day" (3:28)
# "Something That I'm Not" (5:07)
# "Truth Be Told" (5:40)
# "Of Mice And Men" (4:05)
# "Shadow Of Deth" (2:15)
# "My Kingdom" (3:04)




REFERENCES