United Abominations is an album I did not get into at the time of release. When I hear it these days, I do enjoy it and feel it is an album I need to explore more. I was in my late twenties and I think there were maybe two or three new albums over a few year period I got into at the time. It is true, once you hit your mid twenties, it’s harder to absorb new music and that really sucks. Not impossible though, I really got deep into Dystopia and am looking forward to the upcoming new album. The albums in between this and Dystopia I have a more casual acquaintance with.
One other thing, besides age, that may have turned me off at the time is that I remember the main marketing of this album revolved around the “A Tout Le Monte” remake. The reasoning? If I had to guess, it was an opportunity for Mustaine to duet with Cristina Scabbia, the singer of Lacuna Coil. She was pretty popular at the time. My main problem, other than it feels unnecessary for me, is that “A Tout Le Monde” is a mournful suicide note. Not the type of thing you sing with something else. It’s a lonely song, it calls for one voice.
Musically, having just listened to this a few minutes ago, this is the most balls out metal Megadeth has been in a while, so it is a very entertaining listen. Guitar all over the place and lyrically, I am noticing Mustaine is really starting to get into world issues, more so than the past. To put this album in context, this is 2007. W. Bush was president and the whole war on terror was huge in the news at the time. I remember it well, sadly.
I payed special attention to the lyrics to “Amerikhastan” since you brought it up. My interpretation? The spoken verses seem to speak of different factions in the conflict, a songwriting device similar to Iron Maiden in “Run to the Hills.” The first spoken verse speaks of the extremist faction of the East - The Jihadist side. The second spoken word verse speaks of the extremist faction in the West - the NeoConservative/NeoLiberal New World Order folks who want to mold the world into America’s image and use military force to do it. The line about America being a subsidiary of Halliburton is particularly biting. I think the idea is if these sides of extremism get their way, the unique cultures will exist no more. That’s my interpretation anyway, Dave Mustaine may or may not agree.
But yeah, a pretty enjoyable listen, I really need to explore this one more, both musically and lyrically.