When a band has been around for nearly 25 years and gone through almost as many band members, you generally expect to see a “Behind the Music” special rather than a new album. But anyone who believes the adage that old bands just fade away has obviously never heard of Dave Mustaine and Megadeth.

“United Abominations” is Megadeth’s staggering eleventh studio album, and rather than being the last throw-away album on Megadeth’s contract, Mustaine and company have come together to release a jaw-dropping record that instantly transports the listener back to the glory days of not only Megadeth, but American metal in general.

The album opens up with their first single, “Sleepwalker.” It starts slow but quickly picks up with a driving rhythm and blistering riffs that will make any metal fan smile in quiet respect. The other instantly noticeable change is the intricate drum work of new addition Shawn Drover. The double-bass and complex fills are something that has never been a prominent feature of past Megadeth albums, but they feel perfectly in place as Drover never misses a beat and adds a whole new dimension to Megadeth’s music.

“Sleepwalker” is followed up with Megadeth’s second single, “Washington is Next!” Featuring more rifftastic guitar lines and harmonized leads, new guitarist Glen Drover (brother of drummer Shawn) really shines through. Drover’s solos are blazing and creative and make the songs stand out much more than in their most recent albums.

Tucked away in the middle of the album is another gem titled “Play for Blood.” This song is the biggest throwback to classic Megadeth, with its thrash speed and multiple solos strung together seamlessly throughout. “Blood” shows a true return to classic Megadeth form, something that fans couldn’t be happier about.

Also featured on the album is the theme song to the recent Xbox 360 game “Gears of War.” While the song is a little underwhelming, it’s still unique in that its writing style is noticeably different since it was written for a video game, again showcasing Mustaine’s versatility.

“United Abominations” also features a remake of the classic Megadeth song “A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free).” It’s strange to hear a band cover itself and even though there are a few additions, most noticeably the vocal talents of Lacuna Coil’s female lead singer Cristina Scabbia, the song still sounds the same as it did when it was released 13 years ago on Megadeth’s sixth album, “Youthanasia.”

As the album title and cover imply, “United Abominations” focuses on the political failures of the United Nations and the problems in modern international relations. All the songs on the album are heavily entrenched in Mustaine’s political rhetoric, from the U.N.-bashing title track to the Middle-East policy commentary of “Amerikhastan.” Mustaine truly believes metal can change the world and he isn’t afraid to let people know about it, in person or in studio.

Overall, the album is a true return to form for Megadeth, a band that has been struggling with its image and sound for the better part of the last decade. The new lineup is more cohesive than ever and Mustaine’s songwriting ability is still alive and well. Though there are a few misses on the album, all in all it’s their strongest offering in many years and should leave fans excited for the future of one of the world’s biggest metal bands.

Download: “Sleepwalker”, “Washington is Next!”, “Play for Blood”, “Never Walk Alone...A Call to Arms”