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List Price: $13.98 | | Label: Sanctuary Records
Salesrank: 38120
Released: September 14, 2004 |
| Our Price: $7.80 |
| Used Price: $5.21 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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The System Has Failed Track Listing:
1. Blackmail The Universe
2. Die Dead Enough
3. Kick The Chair
4. The Scorpion
5. Tears In A Vial
6. I Know Jack
7. Back In The Day
8. Something That I'm Not
9. Truth Be Told
10. Of Mice And Men
11. Shadow Of Deth
12. My Kingdom
The System Has Failed Reviews:
best release in 10 years 
2008-09-20 - megadeth has followed metallica into the comerial abyss but seems to have come back closer and quicker to form.still not the fury of someclassic releases peaces $ or rust in peice but alot more to like enjoy than some of their newer release and a ton better then metallica's 15 years at the bottom of the used to be great pile.
A return to the "Rust In Peace" sound
2008-07-23 - I've been a Megadeth fan since Peace Sells, so I consider myself pretty familiar with their catalog. That said, this album was really refreshing. Ever since "Rust In Peace", far and away their best, the quality of their output has steadily declined, reaching a nadir with the utterly horrid "Risk".
This album is a return to the sound on "Rust in Peace". The songs are longer and more complex, and there's a decided progressive bent. Also, and not to overstate this aspect, but unlike "Rust in Peace", there's a strong Zeppelin influence on this record in parts.
The musicianship, as usual, is stellar. Chris Poland (guitar) demonstrates that he can still shred with the best guitarists today. Mustaine's voice - never a strong point - sounds better than ever, particularily on "Die Dead Enough", one of the strongest songs on the album. The production is clean and bright without being over-compressed.
Bottom line - if you liked albums like "Rust in Peace", "Symphony of Destruction", and "Peace Sells", you'll like this. If your only exposure to Megadeth is "Cryptic Writings" and "Risk", you may find this to be too much.
For those who care, here is my track-by-track ranking on scale of 1 thru 5:
1) Blackmail the universe (4) - Progressive opener that builds, just like "Holy Wars" on "Rust in Peace"
*2) Die Dead Enough (5) - My favorite and also the most accessible song on the album
3) Kick the Chair (3) - A shredfest - putting bands musical prowess on display
4) The Scorpion (4) - Has zeppelinesque funk-groove
5) Tears in a Vial (4) - Starts with a mid-paced galloping beat - has a journey type riff - intensifies speed and mood at the last minute
6) I Know Jack (3) - Interlude
7) Back in the Day (4) - Fast paced running rocker. You can picture Judas Priest recording something like it - when they were Judas Priest...
8) Something I'm not (4) - Kind of a surprisingly frank self-portrait of Mustaine over a groove very much influenced by Zeppelin, as is prevalent in places through the album, but it's done well. This is one of the few tracks where the unique and interesting lyrics overshadow the music.
9) Truth Be Told (4) - A progressive anthem that goes from drum solo to laid back swing beat to a chorus that reminds me of White Zombie "Thunder Kiss" - ends on a thrash riff.
10) Of Mice and Men (3) - One of the few filler tracks on the record.
11) Shadow of Deth (3) - A strange song with a dumb sounding guy saying things like 'My cuppppp runnnneth overrrr'.....
12) My Kingdom (4) - Has a killer verse/keybord based hook
Best Megadeth out there 
2008-06-23 - The more I listen to this band the more boring they appear - but this CD would be the exception. Honestly... I LOVED Rust in Peace (well for a little while at least) but it got old. Peace Sells is definately a great CD but it rarely finds my player. Countdown was always way to commercial for my tastes.
This CD right here is an exception. There are some killer tracks on this one and its by far my fav Mustaine. Pick it up if you like this band.
Killer tracks: Kick the Chair, Of Mice and Men, Back in the day, My Kingdom
A return to form, somewhat. 
2008-05-16 - The most speedy thing they've done since Countdown.
The speed is intact.
The song are not.
Nothing memorable.
I wanted to like this disc, but a few days later I couldn't remember a single song off the disc.
Fast is good, memorable is better.
So Far, So Good, So What!!!
Better luck next time Dave.
Good old Megadeth
2008-02-23 - These samples are enough for me to know that I'm going to buy this album right now.
