MEGADETH have premiered a new music video for “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!: Chapter III,” the third and latest installment from their multi-part short film. The track is taken from the band’s sixteenth studio album, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!”, which has just been released via UMe.
Creator Dave Mustaine, along with producer Rafael Pensado and director Leo Liberti, crafted together a story of the origins of Vic Rattlehead into the multi-part short film. “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!: Chapter III” is the latest in the series that follows the saga of a war hero, now fully transformed into Vic Rattlehead, as he brutally exacts revenge and punishment on those who betrayed him and destroyed his loved ones and life. In this chapter, Vic continues to move up the chain of command as he torments his unsuspecting victim before dragging him down to eternal damnation in the land of the dead.
Featuring twelve new tracks, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” is available on CD, vinyl, and cassette, as well as digitally through all online partners and can be ordered HERE. There is also a limited deluxe edition 2LP, 12-track album pressed on 180g black vinyl housed in a numbered gatefold jacket with a 12×24 lyrics/credits insert, a lenticular vinyl lithograph and a bonus seven-inch featuring “We’ll Be Back” and the unreleased B-side “The Conjuring (Live)”. The limited deluxe edition can only be purchased via MEGADETH‘s official online store, through Sound Of Vinyl and uDiscover , and can be ordered HERE.
“The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” consolidates a furious return to form that began with the Grammy-winning “Dystopia”, while pushing forward musically and marking Mustaine‘s recent triumph over throat cancer. Reuniting visionary MEGADETH leader and sonic architect Dave Mustaine with co-producer Chris Rakestraw (DANZIG, PARKWAY DRIVE),who together helmed 2016’s “Dystopia”, the album was recorded at Mustaine‘s home studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio temporarily stepped in to record the album. With the kick-off of MEGADETH‘s recent tour, MEGADETH alumni James LoMenzo rejoined the MEGADETH family as permanent bass player.
Featuring some of Mustaine‘s strongest songwriting while also incorporating writing from the rest of the band, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” brings together everything that’s exhilarating and distinctive about MEGADETH. From the blistering throwback fury of “Night Stalkers” (featuring icon Ice-T) and first single “We’ll Be Back”, to the more mid-tempo and melodic “Soldier On!” and the very personal title track, with its enthralling twists and turns. “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” also features a cover of DEAD KENNEDYS‘ “Police Truck” and Sammy Hagar‘s “This Planet’s On Fire”, the latter of which includes vocals from Hagar himself.
“The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” melds the ultra-frenetic riffing, fiercely intricate solos, and adventurous spirit the quartet are known for, all laced with signature virtuosity and precision and Mustaine‘s singular sardonic snarl. This album combines all the crushing musical motifs that have made MEGADETH both repeat metal disruptors and revered genre flagbearers.
“The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” track listing:
1. The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!
2. Life In Hell
3. Night Stalkers (Featuring Ice T)
4. Dogs Of Chernobyl
5. Sacrifice
6. Junkie
7. Psychopathy
8. Killing Time
9. Soldier On!
10. Célebutante
11. Mission To Mars
12. We’ll Be Back
13. Police Truck (DEAD KENNEDYS cover)
14. This Planet’s On Fire (Burn In Hell) (Featuring Sammy Hagar)