| United Abominations | |||||
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| Studio album by Megadeth | |||||
| Released |  May 08, 2007
 May 23, 2007 |
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| Recorded | 2006 | ||||
| Genre | Thrash metal, speed metal, heavy metal | ||||
| Length | 47:57 | ||||
| Label | Roadrunner Records | ||||
| Producer | Jeff Balding Dave Mustaine Andy Sneap |
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| Professional reviews | |||||
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| Megadeth chronology | |||||
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United Abominations is the 11th studio album of the American thrash metal band, Megadeth. This album is also the first studio album that Megadeth released through their current record label, Roadrunner Records. It is arguably their most politically-charged album to date. [1]
Contents |
Release
The album's first pressing was released in Japan by Roadrunner Japan on May 8, 2007 and contained a bonus track. The second pressing was released internationally on May 14, 2007 and on the following day in the United States. The album was made available on the Australian iTunes store on May 13, 2007, even though online stores such as Sanity.com.au do not have the title listed.
Artwork
The album artwork features a new incarnation of Vic Rattlehead chosen from a DeviantArt contest, the entry which finished in 11th place.
Background
The album's title is a play on United Nations and the album cover features the United Nations building being destroyed. The album cover may also be considered a reference to the Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? cover, which depicts the United Nations building after a nuclear war. The album was originally scheduled for release on October 31, 2006. In August 2006, frontman Dave Mustaine told Billboard.com that the album's release date was pushed back to early 2007. "We're putting the finishing touches on it," Mustaine told Billboard.com. "We've got a little more work before it's finished, but it should be out some time next year."[2] Some members of the Megadeth Fanclub were allowed to listen to the songs of United Abominations in the recording studio. Fanclub members were also able to preorder the album from the Megadeth Fanclub website and receive a signed lithograph and the bonus track "Black Swan". The retailer fulfilling the preorders, FYE.com, had numerous errors on the preorder process for US orders, including erroneous order cancellations, an email apology, defective site and code for "Black Swan", and controversy over the signed lithographs. The MegaFanClub offer cited that any US preorder within the defined window received the signed lithographs, along with the CD, by release date May 15th. However, FYE.com alleged 5 - 6 weeks on lithographs and then claimed it was only the first 500 sold, first come first served, limited quantities. The album was leaked to the Internet on April 28, 2007. United Abominations debuted at number 23 on the UK's top album chart, making it Megadeth's most chart successful album in the UK since 1994's Youthanasia, which peaked at number 4. It has also debuted at number 23 in the Australian album charts, and on number 24 in the Italian singles chart.[3] In the U.S., the album debuted at number eight, selling about 54,000 copies in its first week.[4] The album has also debuted at number nine at United World Chart selling 103,000 copies worldwide in its first week.[5]
Track listing
All songs written by Dave Mustaine, except where noted.
- "Sleepwalker" – 5:53
- "Washington Is Next!" – 5:19
- "Never Walk Alone... A Call to Arms" (Mustaine, Glen Drover) – 3:54
- "United Abominations" – 5:35
- "Gears of War" – 4:26
- "Blessed Are the Dead" – 4:02
- "Play for Blood" – 3:49
- "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" – 4:11 (featuring Cristina Scabbia)
- "Amerikhastan" – 3:43
- "You're Dead" – 3:18
- "Burnt Ice" – 3:47
- "Out on the Tiles" (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham)– 4:03 (Led Zeppelin cover, "bonus" track for Japanese version)
The B-sides for the singles are:
- "Black Swan" – 4:03
- "The Bodies Left Behind"
- "Special Live Track"
Singles
The first single from the album, "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)", was released on April 17, 2007 and was made available on iTunes. A music video for the song was also released. This version is a sped up version Megadeth's original "A Tout le Monde" released in 1994 on their album "Youthanasia". A few weeks after this, it was announced that the second single would be "Washington Is Next!". The current single is Sleepwalker. The video can be found on Megadeth's Myspace page.
Response
The overall critical and commercial response was very positive within the first week of the album's release. Numerous online reviews hail the album as a continuation of Megadeth's return to its heavier, thrashier roots, as with The World Needs a Hero and more particularly 2004's The System Has Failed.[6] Indeed, their first track sets the tone for the album, one of pounding drum lines, exotic solos, and complex rhythm riffs. On July 10th, Mark Leon Goldberg of the United Nations affairs blog, UN Dispatch posted a rebuttal to the anti-U.N. accusations made by Mustaine in the title song.
Personnel
- Dave Mustaine – guitar, vocals
- Glen Drover – guitar
- James Lomenzo – bass
- Shawn Drover – drums
Chart positions
Album
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Billboard 200 | 8 |
| 2007 | Billboard Top Internet Albums | 8 |
| 2007 | Billboard Top Rock Albums | 3 |
| 2007 | United World Chart | 9 |
| 2007 | Argentine Albums Chart | 6 |
| 2007 | Australian Albums Chart | 23 |
| 2007 | Austrian Albums Chart | 17 |
| 2007 | Canadian Albums Chart | 5 |
| 2007 | Dutch Albums Chart | 49 |
| 2007 | Finnish Albums Chart | 2 |
| 2007 | Irish Albums Chart | 31 |
| 2007 | Italian Albums Chart | 24 |
| 2007 | Norwegian Albums Chart | 21 |
| 2007 | Oricon International Album Chart (Japan) | 9 |
| 2007 | Swiss Albums Chart | 38 |
| 2007 | UK Albums Chart | 23 |
| 2007 | Swedish Albums Chart | 15 |
References
- ^ Ed Thompson (2007-05-17). Megadeth - United Abominations. IGN.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
- ^ Gary Graff (2006-08-23). Megadeth 'United' For Roadrunner Debut. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
- ^ MEGADETH: 'United Abominations' Enters Italian Chart At No. 24. Blabbermouth.net (2007-05-22). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
- ^ Katie Hasty, "Linkin Park Scores Year's Best Debut With 'Midnight'", Billboard.com, May 23, 2007.
- ^ United World Chart. Mediatraffic.de (2007-05-25). Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- ^ Chad Bower. Megadeth - United Abominations. About.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
