In 2010 when Megadeth were in the middle of 20th anniversary tour for metal masterpiece "Rust In Peace" as well as playing the album from start to finish most of the other material played was also older tracks from the likes of "Peace Sells", "So Far, So Good..So What? and "countdown To Extinction" only a couple of tracks from current album "Endgame" made the cut, this trend would continue during the Big Four Tour. Also original bassist Dave Ellefson was back in the band for the first time since 2001 and now we have album number 13 from Megadeth called "TH1RT3EN". To keep with the going back in time theme there's even new versions of old songs included.

Ellefson's returning influence can be heard on album opener "Sudden Death" as his bass opens the track alongside some tribal drumming a classic Megadeth guitar riff, the song is a great way to open the album and the playing is really tight throughout. The first single chosen was "Public Enemy No.1" which has a galloping riff and a snarling Mustaine, what more could you ask for? Interestingly "New World Order" is an old song, a demo version was originally included on the 2004 remaster of "Youthanasia"(so the classic megadeth line up of Mustaine, Friedman, Ellefson and Menza get a writing credit), the new version is newly recorded and of course newly produced giving it a new sheen. "Black Swan" came from the "United Abominations" sessions and has nothing to do with the film of the same name.

The song "Never Dead" is a stand out track with it's slow build up, it really has a feel of an old Megadeth track, the drums are great in this track and big credit must go to Shawn Drover who has really made that spot behind the kit his own and his playing with Ellefson is perfect. "Wrecker" is another great song that has a couple of great guitar solo's and sounds like Megadeth on top of their game almost revitalised. "We Are The People" has a guitar chugging along at times not unlike "train Of Consequences" from "Youthanasia". "Millennium of the Blind" originally also appeared on the 2004 remaster of "Youthanasia" as well, the song of course is reworked and is a longer finished version.

It would seem the 20th anniversary tour of "Rust In Peace" and the return of bassist Dave Ellefson has revitalised Dave Mustaine and giving him an appetite to revisit and explore his musical past while at the same time keeping the band sounding fresh. With this been the bands final album of a 3 album deal with Roadrunner Record's it will be interesting to see what there next step will be.