Megadeth: United Abominations : B+

Everyone's favorite Metallica reject is back.\nAfter Megadeth broke up because of a severe nerve injury in frontman Dave Mustaine's left arm in 2002, the boys got back together for 2004's The System Has Failed, which was a commercial success. In 2007, the band has given us its 11th studio album, United Abominations, another stab at the Bush administration.\nLately Megadeth has been a grab bag of musicians, rotating its lineup constantly. Despite this, Mustaine and his little-known recruits have been able to coerce and create some rockin' music. Thrash fans, unite!\nWhile Metallica has kind of faded and lost its edge, Megadeth is still running strong. Mustaine's snarling growl and anger shines. While his lyrics may border on cheesiness, they're still intelligent and pretty catchy, although his political theories are kind of goofy.\nHowever, Megadeth indisputably knows how to lay down the riffs and guitar solos. "Pray for Blood" soars through with well-executed, challenging guitar work. "You're Dead" sludges by like a run through the graveyard by a pack of hungry zombies − the only thing that's going to save you is if you can outrun the guitar solos.\nMetal reunions are often hit-or-miss, but Mustaine proves that they aren't impossible to pull off. United Abominations doesn't sound dated, and it is still as thrashing as ever. I, for one, am prepared to see one of these tracks incarnated on a future version of Guitar Hero.