Th1rt3en

Released in 2011, Th1rt3en serves as a significant milestone in Megadeth's later career, primarily due to the return of founding bassist David Ellefson. This reunion restored the band's classic rhythmic chemistry, which is evident in the prominent, driving bass lines throughout the record. Produced by Johnny K, the album features a very modern, compressed, and 'punchy' sonic profile that aligns with 21st-century metal standards while retaining the band's signature technical thrash roots. Interestingly, the album includes several reworked versions of older, unreleased tracks like 'New World Order' and 'Millennium of the Blind,' giving it the feel of a career-spanning retrospective. It was highly successful in the awards circuit, with three different tracks receiving Grammy nominations in consecutive years. Critically, it was viewed as a solid, reliable entry that solidified the band's 'Big Four' status in the modern era.