This is not a return to form. This is not a comeback album. This is, simply, the finest, heaviest, most brutal and punishing Megadeth album Dave Mustaine has ever recorded. Having suffered a debilitating nerve injury in his hand two years ago, Megadeth's future was in serious limbo. Yet The System Has Failed returns Megadeth to the top of heavy metal's ruling class. This is Megadeth's crowning achievement. The System Has Failed begins with a kick to the aural senses with "Blackmail The Universe" and does not let up for the next 63 minutes. This is not a heavy metal album in the purest sense. Guitar solos (courtesy of original Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland) that defy technical logic, time signature changes that leave the mind reeling, and melodic sensibilities that make this the must have metal album of the year.
| 1 | Blackmail The Universe | 4:33 |
| 2 | Die Dead Enough | 4:19 |
| 3 | Kick The Chair | 3:58 |
| 4 | The Scorpion | 6:00 |
| 5 | Tears In A Vial | 5:22 |
| 6 | I Know Jack | 0:40 |
| 7 | Back In The Day | 3:28 |
| 8 | Something That I'm Not | 5:07 |
| 9 | Truth Be Told | 5:40 |
| 10 | Of Mice And Men | 4:05 |
| 11 | Shadow Of Deth | 2:15 |
| 12 | My Kingdom | 3:04 |