Th1rt3en (Thirteen)

A lot has happened to Megadeth in the two years since the release of 'Endgame'. That record continued the critical and commercial resurgence that had begun with 'United Abominations' and since its release the band's rise back to the peak of their powers hasn't abated. And, in a move that delighted their legion of diehard fans, it saw the return of bassist Dave Ellefson who was part of the band's classic line-up from 1983 to 2002. Originally returning to perform live with Megadeth in early 2010 he has remained a fixture on the stage ever since and this album is the first time Ellefson has played on a Megadeth record since 2002's 'Rude Awakening'.

And the band have been busy on the live circuit too, embarking on a mammoth tour that culminated in a set-stealing show at 2010's Download Festival that had a performance of the classic 'Rust In Peace' in it's entirety as it's centrepiece. They continued their impressive series of live shows by joining up with fellow metal giants Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax for the 'Big 4' tour of Europe with a triumphant return to these shores in their Sonisphere 2011 appearance. And then it was back to the USA for the huge Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Tour which rounded off with a September 14th show at Yankee Stadium again as part of the Big 4.

Over time Dave Mustaine has balanced rabid-dog aggression with staggering song-craft. The albums 'Killing Is My BusinessAnd Business Is Good!', 'Peace SellsBut Who's Buying?' (with its 25th anniversary release this year), 'So FarSo GoodSo What?' and 'Countdown To Extinction' are still true metal classics. Musically and lyrically Mustaine remains metal's true iconoclast whose latest musical offering rumbles with the intensity his career has been built on. Alongside the title track, 'Sudden Death' also appears on the album - the first new recording featuring the re-united 'Daves' that was included on 2010's 'Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock' video game - a Grammy nominated single that really proved Megadeth were back to their best.

And new single 'Public Enemy No 1' is a corker, full of wry lyrics, snarling vocals and, as you would expect, some incredible guitar playing - a perfect example of why Mustaine & Co's brand of shredding guitar and bellicose songsmanship are still at the forefront of today's metal scene.

Says Dave Mustaine, who first picked up an axe at the age of 13, "I was born on September 13th; this is my thirteenth record. It just seemed like it was the right thing to do to call it Th1rt3en. This record is the culmination of my work over the 13 records I recorded. There are moments on Th1rt3en that capture my every emotion, and other moments where I am releasing feelings I never knew existed! My proudest moments of my musical career are captured on Th1rt3en".