Megadeth: Cryptic Writings : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

This is a tale of retribution. Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, once booted from the mighty Metallica, has penned Cryptic Writings, a gripping, high-voltage album that should thrill Metallica fans who felt screwed by that band's thrashless 1996 album, Load. In an era of alt-metal bluster, Megadeth have remained true to form, stirring up a snarling brew of nasal yowls, crunchy riffs and speed-of-light guitar solos that would paralyze Yngwie Malmsteen. Whether building atmosphere with ominous tribal beats and jangly acoustic guitar ("Use the Man") or going for the jugular with buzz-saw rhythms and hardcore tempos ("The Disintegrators"), Megadeth wrap their bundles of spite with enough melody to keep the grooves memorable. Make way for the real metal militia.