"United Abominations" marks the third time in as many albums that Dave Mustaine has entered the studio with an entirely different Megadeth [ tickets ] lineup. It seems that the third time's the charm.

With America's war against an ever-morphing evil waging as the backdrop, Mustaine has delivered Megadeth's most musically pointed and lyrically poignant effort of the past decade. Bolstered by a band that holds its own against even the classic 'Deth daze, the band's Roadrunner Records debut (and 11th studio effort overall) is brimming with musical moments that scream vintage Megadeth, all bound together by a lyrical fusion of political rhetoric and Mustaine's wise-ass wit.

While the past decade's offerings may not have always been the best representation of Megadeth's status among metal's elite, "United Abominations" could be the sonic follow-up to 1994's "Youthenasia." A tightly-wound spring of metal energy, the album runs the gamut from the razor-sharp guitars that slice through "Washington Is Next," to the tender-metal remake of "A Tout Le Monde" with Lacuna Coil frontwoman Cristina Scabbia. "Never Walk Alone … A Call to Arms" blends Mustaine's knack for infectious melodies with his affinity for musicianship, he and guitarist Glen Drover taking solos in a track that marries a radio-ready musicality with heavy metal bravado. "Gears of War" grinds with a steady rumble, while "Play For Blood" pivots and spins on a turret of buzzing guitars atop bassist James LoMenzo's and drummer Shawn Drover's colossal bottom end, and the solos on "Amerikhastan" sizzle, scorch and scream. A progressive thunder leads to more fret magic on "You're Dead," and "Burnt Ice" finishes the album with more sinister solos and metallic crunch.

In a career most recently marked by solid (though not always remarkable) releases, "United Abominations" shreds like Megadeth of old. It's not a return to old, but rather, a re-realization of form. Dave Mustaine has not only rediscovered an inspiration like that shown on his seminal releases, but he's coupled it with a band custom-made to spark his musical infernos. This is Megadeth … with a vengeance.