MEGADETH Mainman: New Album Is 'Fast, Heavy, Melodic, And Controversial'

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"Let me first say that I have had the most enjoyable experience with Andy Sneap here finishing the record; I can't remember when I had such a pleasant time making a record. It is fast, heavy, melodic, and, of course, controversial, as well as hooky with some unexpected twists. Thanks to all of the engineers on this record; Lance, Jeff, Kieran, Ken, Chase, Andy, and whoever I may have forgotten. Thanks to the co-producers Jeff and Andy, and the studios Sarn Hook End, the Steak House, Big Fish, and Backstage Productions.

"And then there is my partner Glen Drover [guitar], who is without a doubt going to make many people forget some, if not all of the previous guitarists. Of course I know there are people who love the past and choose to live in it. I do not.

"I hear my bassist James Lomenzo and my drummer Shawn Drover playing and it puts a smile on the inside of me for the first time in years. We all can smile on the outside, but the project has satisfied me, and I am completely content deep inside.

"This day will be a day that 10 people [from the MegaFanClub] will hopefully remember forever. I know I will, and soon you will hear from them. When they feel like sharing with you their sentiments on the new material they will, and they have my benefaction to do so.

"I loved seeing all of them; I knew most, but loved them all. So, it is now up to the people that won, who are MegaFanClub members, to determine what, if anything they are going to share with the others who are not.

"I am getting ready to play the last two solos on this record. At that point it will be up to the powers that be to see if we have delivered another masterpiece to you, or if I go get corn rows, and start lip-synching.

"The songs we played today were:

Sleepwalker
United Abominations
Burnt Ice
Never Walk Alone
Amerikhastan

"I am working on the last vocal on '*** ****** **** *****', and will do a solo on 'Sleepwalker' and 'Never Walk Alone'.

"To the ten guests that joined me today, thank you for the love and support, regardless of how long, because we really only have just this moment, don't we? Please let us know you made it home safe, and we will be sending the photos of all of us hanging out together to our beloved webmaster to forward onto all of you.

"And to the people suggestion leaks or whatnot, I'll make you a deal, beat me and you can do it, k? That's what I thought!"

As previously reported, MEGADETH's new song, "Gears of War", is available for download at this location. The track comes off the group's upcoming album, "United Abominations", tentatively due in March via Roadrunner Records.

Said MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine about the track: "This was a mix made by Andy Sneap to apply for the job as mixer on this record and I was so impressed I wanted him to help me finish up the last parts as well as cutting two new songs we hadn't planned on releasing. [It was] a great start to one of my favorite records to have ever made so far. If the process of writing and tracking, and the energy we felt in the studios is any indication, then this is just the beginning of the rebuilding of the perfect beast!"

A video clip of MEGADETH performing "Gears of War" live on October 31, 2006 at Six Flags in Springfield, Massachusetts during the "Gears of War - Match Made In Hell" event has been posted online at YouTube.com.

Check out the "Gears of War" lyrics at Megadeth.com.