The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!

The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! took more than two years to materialize, with the recording sessions taking place between May 2019 and towards the end of 2021, the longest time Megadeth has taken to record an album up to this point. The album's release had been delayed several times. It was originally intended to be released in 2019, before its ultimate release in September 2022.

On May 10, 2019, Megadeth entered the studio in Franklin, Tennessee with co-producer Chris Rakestraw to begin pre-production of the album.{{cite news|title=Megadeth Enters Studio For New Album Pre-Production|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-enters-studio-to-record-new-album/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=May 10, 2019}} In June, the band announced the cancellation of then-upcoming shows, as Mustaine had been diagnosed with throat cancer;{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/megadeths-dave-mustaine-diagnosed-with-throat-cancer/|title=Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Diagnosed With Throat Cancer|website=Kerrang!|date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=June 17, 2019}} Despite Mustaine's illness, the band vowed to continue working on the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.houseofhaironline.com/2019/06/megadeths-dave-mustaine-vows-to-beat-cancer/|author=House of Hair

|title=Megadeth's Dave Mustaine Vows To Beat Cancer|website=houseofhaironline.com|date=June 28, 2019

|access-date=June 28, 2019}} On November 6, 2018, Mustaine shared a video on Twitter teasing a track from the album,{{Cite news|url=http://loudwire.com/megadeth-new-song-tease/|title=Dave Mustaine Teases Heavy + Fast New Megadeth Song – Listen|website=Loudwire|access-date=November 8, 2018}} which at the time, was originally set for release in the next year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/megadeth-share-rehearsal-footage-from-new-album-sessions|title=Megadeth share rehearsal footage from new album sessions|website=Metal Hammer|access-date=November 8, 2018}}

The band re-entered the studio in Nashville in mid-2020 to resume recording their new album, by now tentatively planned for release in 2021.{{cite news|title=David Ellefson Will Travel To Nashville This Week To Begin Recording New Megadeth Album|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-will-travel-to-nashville-this-week-to-begin-recording-new-megadeth-album/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=May 19, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Dave Mustaine Says New Megadeth Album Is 'Coming Along Great'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-says-new-megadeth-album-is-coming-along-great/|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 25, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Why Megadeth Decided Against Recording New Album Remotely|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/why-megadeth-decided-against-recording-new-album-remotely/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 31, 2020}} While hosting a Masterclass "Front Row Live" for fans via Zoom on January 9, 2021, Mustaine announced the album's title as The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!, but indicated that the title might be subject to change.{{cite web|url=https://metaladdicts.com/site/dave-mustaine-reveals-title-for-new-megadeth-album/|title=Dave Mustane Reveals Title For New Megadeth Album|website=Metal Addicts|date=January 10, 2021|access-date=January 11, 2021}}

Originally scheduled for release in early 2022, the album's release was delayed for several months due to issues with vinyl printing and distribution.{{cite web |last1=Roche |first1=Sam |title=Dave Mustaine says Megadeth's new album, The Sick, the Dying and the Dead, has been pushed back to the summer |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/new-megadeth-album-pushed-back-to-summer |website=Guitar World |access-date=June 20, 2022|date=January 28, 2022}}{{cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Jackson |title=Home News Dave Mustaine reveals bassist on new Megadeth album – and surprise Sammy Hagar, Ice-T guest appearances |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/megadeth-ice-t-hagar-bass-player-new-album |website=Guitar World |access-date=June 20, 2022 |date=March 31, 2022}} It was eventually released in September 2022.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeths-new-single-to-arrive-next-week-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead-album-now-due-in-september|title=Megadeth's New Single To Arrive Next Week; 'The Sick, The Dying And The Dead' Album Now Due In September|date=June 17, 2022|accessdate=June 20, 2022|work=Blabbermouth.net}}{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/megadeths-album-tease-continues-with-new-website-music-clip/|title=Megadeth's Album Tease Continues With New Website + Music Clip|work=Loudwire|author=Joe DiVita|date=June 21, 2022|accessdate=June 21, 2022}}

On May 10, 2021, sexually explicit videos of bassist David Ellefson masturbating were posted on Twitter. The videos were reportedly recorded by a fan with whom Ellefson was in correspondence. Accusations of child grooming were initially raised against Ellefson, although both parties denied this. The fan publicly claimed she was a consenting adult. Ellefson subsequently contacted the authorities to seek charges for revenge porn against the party responsible for leaking the videos and presented the police with evidence related to the allegations.{{Cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|date=June 7, 2021|title=David Ellefson: Ex-Megadeth Bassist Details Revenge-Porn Case in Police Report|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-ellefson-megadeth-bassist-revenge-porn-police-report-1179919/|access-date=January 16, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} An official statement released the next day from Megadeth stated that the situation was being "watched closely".{{cite web |title=Megadeth Comments On Leak Of 'Embarrassing' David Ellefson Videos: 'We Are Watching Developments Closely' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-comments-on-leak-of-embarrassing-david-ellefson-videos-we-are-watching-developments-closely/ |website=Blabbermouth |date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=May 23, 2021}} On May 24, Megadeth released a statement announcing Ellefson was out of the band, saying the scandal had strained their relationship and made "working together impossible moving forward."{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/megadeth-david-ellefson-fires-sexual-misconduct-1234980355/ |title=Megadeth Fires Bassist David Ellefson After Sexual Misconduct Allegations |first=Jordan|last=Moreau |date=May 24, 2021 |work=Variety |access-date=May 24, 2021}} His already-recorded bass parts were subsequently removed from the album and re-recorded by Steve Di Giorgio of Testament. Former bassist James LoMenzo, who Ellefson replaced in 2010, rejoined Megadeth on a touring capacity in August before becoming an official member in May 2022.

"Night Stalkers" features rapper Ice-T on vocals, and "is about the 160th Battalion with the U.S. Army, and it's all the black-ops helicopters that go in at night."{{cite web |last1=Ng |first1=Scott |title=Dave Mustaine Reveals Testament's Steve DiGiorgio and Ice-T Are on Megadeth's New Album |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/dave-mustaine-reveals-testatment-steve-digiorgio-bassist-ice-t-new-megadeth-album/ |website=Guitar.com |date=April 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022}} "Killing Time" focuses on a former girlfriend of Mustaine's. The first clip released from the album (which was released on Cameo) was titled "Life in Hell".{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/megadeth-song-teaser-life-in-hell/|title=Dave Mustaine Shares Clip of New Megadeth Song 'Life in Hell'|work=Loudwire|author=Joe DiVita|date=December 27, 2021|accessdate=June 20, 2022}}

According to Mustaine, "Dogs of Chernobyl" is not about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but "is a love song". Prior to the album's production, Mustaine had been diagnosed with throat cancer. He revealed that his treating radiologist contributed "a couple of phrases and some information about the radiation poisoning when everyone got sick at Chernobyl" to the song's lyrics.{{cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/149837/Megadeth-frontman-Dave-Mustaine-predicted-real-life-events|title=Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine 'predicted real-life events'|work=Music News|date=July 2, 2022|accessdate=September 2, 2022}}

Two cover songs are featured on various editions of the album. Sammy Hagar features on a cover of his solo song, "This Planet's on Fire". "Police Truck" is a heavier cover of the Dead Kennedys song.

The website sickdyingdead.com was launched on June 20, 2022, to promote the album.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-launches-dedicated-web-site-for-upcoming-album-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead|title=Megadeth Launches Dedicated Web Site For Upcoming Album, 'The Sick, The Dying And The Dead'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=June 20, 2022|accessdate=June 21, 2022}}

As of December 2022, six singles have been released from the album. The first, "We'll Be Back", was released via streaming services on June 23,{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-announces-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead-album-shares-well-be-back-single|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=June 23, 2022|access-date=June 23, 2022|title=Megadeth Announces 'The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!' Album, Shares 'We'll Be Back' Single}} with "Night Stalkers" following on July 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/megadeth-ice-t-night-stalkers|title=Megadeth join forces with Ice-T for pummeling new single, Night Stalkers|work=Guitar World|date=July 22, 2022|accessdate=September 3, 2022}}

The third single to be released was "Soldier On!" on August 12.{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/megadeth-soldier-on|title=Megadeth Unleash New Single 'Soldier On'|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=August 12, 2022|accessdate=August 22, 2022}} The title track was released as a single on September 2, the same day as the album.

{{Music ratings

|MC = 78/100{{cite web|title=The Sick, the Dying...and the Dead by Megadeth|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead/megadeth/critic-reviews|publisher=Metacritic|date=September 2, 2022|access-date=September 2, 2022}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Fred|title=Megadeth – The Sick, the Dying...and the Dead|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sick-the-dyingand-the-dead-mw0003742780|publisher=AllMusic|date=September 2, 2022|access-date=September 6, 2022}}

|rev2 = Blabbermouth.net

|rev2score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Dom|title=Megadeth The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!|date=August 31, 2022|url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead|website=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=September 6, 2022}}

|rev3 = BraveWords

|rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Balazs|first=Nick|title=Megadeth – The Sick, the Dying...and the Dead!|url=https://bravewords.com/reviews/megadeth-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead|website=BraveWords|accessdate=September 6, 2022}}

|rev4 = Kerrang!

|rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Ruskell|first=Nick|title=Album review: Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!|url=https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-megadeth-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead|work=Kerrang!|date=September 1, 2022|access-date=September 6, 2022}}

|rev5 = Metal Hammer

|rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Daly|first=Joe|title=Megadeth's The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!: what doesn't kill Dave Mustaine only makes him stronger|date=August 30, 2022 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/megadeth-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead-album-review|work=MetalHammer|accessdate=September 6, 2022}}

|rev6 = PopMatters

|rev6score = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Reyes-Kulkarni |first1=Saby |title=Megadeth: The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (Album Review) |url=https://www.popmatters.com/megadeth-sick-dying-dead-review |website=PopMatters |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=27 September 2022}}

|rev7 = Record Collector

|rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=New Albums |journal=Record Collector |date=September 2022 |page=103 |url=https://archive.org/details/record-collector-september-2022/page/102/mode/2up |access-date=4 October 2022}}

|rev8 = Sonic Perspectives

|rev8score = 9.1/10{{cite web|title=Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead! (Album Review)|url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/megadeth-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead/|website=Sonic Perspectives|date=September 2, 2022|access-date=September 2, 2022}}

|rev9 = Sputnikmusic

|rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last1=Alves |first1=Fernando |title=Review: Megadeth - The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! {{!}} Sputnikmusic |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/85464/Megadeth-The-Sick-the-Dying...-and-the-Dead%21/ |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=1 September 2022}}

|rev10 = Wall of Sound

|rev10score = 8.5/10{{cite web|title=Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead! (Album Review)|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2022/08/31/megadeth-the-sick-the-dying-and-the-dead-album-review/|website=Wall of Sound|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 6, 2022}}

}}

The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! has received favorable reviews and holds a Metacritic rating of 78/100. Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net rated the album 9 out of 10 and wrote, "That means that Dave Mustaine is well aware of how lethal Megadeth are, circa 2022. This is easily the band's best album since Endgame... possibly even Countdown To Extinction. The cantankerous old devil is back in blistering top form and making music that will remind you exactly why we love the cantankerous old devil in the first place."

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Dave Mustaine, except "Dogs of Chernobyl" by Mustaine and Tony Cmelak.

All music written by Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro, except where noted.

| title1 = The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!

| music1 = Mustaine

| length1 = 5:04

| title2 = Life in Hell

| music2 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Dirk Verbeuren}}

| length2 = 4:12

| title3 = Night Stalkers

| note3 = featuring Ice-T

| music3 = {{hlist|Mustaine|Loureiro|Verbeuren}}

| length3 = 6:38

| title4 = Dogs of Chernobyl

| music4 =

| length4 = 6:14

| title5 = Sacrifice

| length5 = 4:08

| music5 =

| title6 = Junkie

| music6 = Mustaine

| length6 = 3:39

| title7 = Psychopathy

| music7 =

| length7 = 1:20

| title8 = Killing Time

| length8 = 5:13

| music8 =

| title9 = Soldier On!

| length9 = 4:54

| music9 = Mustaine

| title10 = Célebutante

| length10 = 3:51

| music10 =

| title11 = Mission to Mars

| length11 = 5:24

| music11 =

| title12 = We'll Be Back

| length12 = 4:29

| music12 =

| total_length = 55:10

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital edition bonus tracks

| title13 = Police Truck

| note13 = Dead Kennedys cover) (Japan exclusive bonus track

| writer13 = {{hlist|Jello Biafra|East Bay Ray}}

| length13 = 2:29

| title14 = This Planet's on Fire (Burn in Hell)

| note14 = Sammy Hagar cover, featuring Sammy Hagar

| writer14 = Sammy Hagar

| length14 = 5:04

| total_length = 62:39

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = EMP & Target exclusive CD bonus tracks

| title13 = This Planet's on Fire

| note13 = studio recording; Sammy Hagar cover, featuring Sammy Hagar

| writer13 = Hagar

| length13 = 5:04

| title14 = The Conjuring

| note14 = live; mislabeled as "Dystopia" on the album track listing

| writer14 = Mustaine

| length14 = 5:49

| total_length = 66:02

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – vocals, guitars, additional bass{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-on-david-ellefson-the-guy-that-i-know-and-love-was-a-different-person|title=Dave Mustaine On David Ellefson: 'The Guy That I Know And Love Was A Different Person'|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 3, 2022|work=Blabbermouth.net}}
• Kiko Loureiro – guitars, flute on "Night Stalkers"{{cite web |title=Megadeth's Kiko Loureiro – Working With Dave Mustaine, Nerves Before First Gig + More |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdF-D1GjdTI |via=YouTube |access-date=24 August 2022}}
• Dirk Verbeuren – drums

Additional musicians

• Steve Di Giorgio – bass
• Ice-T – guest vocals on "Night Stalkers"
• Sammy Hagar – guest vocals on "This Planet's on Fire"
• Brandon Ray – additional vocals on tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8–12
• Eric Darken – percussion on tracks 1–3, 5–12
• Roger Lima – keyboards on tracks 1–9, 11, effects on tracks 1–3, 5–9, 11
• Luliia Tikhomirova – voices on "Dogs of Chernobyl"
• Bill Elliot – voices on "Junkie"
• John Clement – voices on tracks 9, 11
• The Marching Metal Bastards – voices on "Soldier On!"
• Maila Kaarina Rantanen – voices on "Mission to Mars"

{{col-2}}

Technical personnel

• Dave Mustaine – co-production, engineering, art concept
• Chris Rakestraw – co-production, engineering
• Lowell Reynolds – assistant engineering
• Maddie Harmon – assistant engineering
• Rick West – drum technician
• Josh Wilbur – mixing
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Brent Elliott White – cover art
• Josh Graham – artwork, design, layout
• Mcabe Gregg – photography

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{{reflist}}

{{Megadeth}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sick, the Dying and the Dead}}

Category:Megadeth albums

Category:2022 albums

Category:Universal Music Group albums