2004 Megadeth – The System Has Failed

The System Has Failed is the tenth studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on September 14, 2004. It was the band’s second and final studio album to be distributed by Sanctuary Records. The System Has Failed was the first album to be released after Dave Mustaine recovered from his arm injury sustained in 2002. It is also the first of four Megadeth studio albums not to include original bassist and co-founder David Ellefson. The album features former Megadeth member Chris Poland (guitar), who previously performed on Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! (1985) and Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? (1986), and session musicians Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass).

The System Has Failed received positive reception from critics and debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200. The album was generally thought of as being a return to form for the band, after the release of more commercially accessible albums through the 1990s. “Die Dead Enough” and “Of Mice and Men” were released as singles in 2004, and “The Scorpion” was released as a single in 2005. The track “Back in the Day” was featured in the Duck Dodgers episode “In Space, No One Can Hear You Rock” in 2005, which featured an animated version of the band performing the song.