Dave Mustaine has always been a bit of a lightning rod. Whether he’s getting kicked out of Metallica or reinventing the wheel of thrash metal, the guy doesn't do "quiet." But in 2007, something shifted. Megadeth released United Abominations, and tucked right into the second slot of the tracklist was a song that felt different. Washington Is Next! wasn't just another fast song about war. It felt like a prophecy wrapped in a Maiden-esque gallop.
It’s been nearly two decades since that record dropped. Honestly, the world hasn't gotten any less chaotic. If anything, the lyrics Mustaine snarled back then feel like they were written yesterday. You've got these intricate, spiraling guitar lines and a narrative that basically says, "Hey, look at history—empires don't last forever."
The Story Behind the Song
By the time 2007 rolled around, Megadeth was in a weird spot. They’d survived the "hiatus" of the early 2000s and Mustaine's arm injury. The lineup featured the Drover brothers—Glen on guitar and Shawn on drums—along with bassist James LoMenzo. This was the first time in ages the band felt like a band again, rather than a solo project with hired guns.
Washington Is Next! stands out because it’s a massive throwback to the Rust in Peace era. It’s technical. It’s melodic. It’s got that "old school" metal purity that fans had been craving. Dave wasn't just complaining about the government; he was looking at the bigger picture. He was looking at the fall of Rome and drawing a straight line to the modern West.
The song was heavily influenced by the writings of William Cooper, specifically Behold a Pale Horse. If you're into deep-dive conspiracy theories or just like 90s underground literature, that name is huge. Mustaine took those ideas—concepts of a New World Order and the erosion of sovereignty—and turned them into a five-minute thrash epic.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
A lot of folks hear the title and think it’s just a standard anti-American rant. It’s really not. Mustaine has always been pretty vocal about his love for the U.S., even when he’s criticizing its leaders. The song is actually more of a lament. It’s about the "Seventh Hill" and the "Coming of the Antichrist," pulling heavily from biblical imagery and historical cycles.
"There is a face that's changing / To a form that's so familiar."
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That line is key. He’s talking about the idea that history repeats itself because human nature doesn't change. We build these massive, "indestructible" systems, and then they rot from the inside.
The song's structure is also worth geeking out over. Unlike a lot of modern metal that just chugs along, this track has a rhythmic complexity that's hard to nail. The "Iron Maiden" style dual-guitar harmonies give it a regal, almost tragic feel. It’s not just angry; it’s sophisticated.
Why It’s Making a Comeback Lately
You might have noticed Washington Is Next! popping up in setlists again recently. In 2024 and 2025, during the "Destroy All Enemies" tour, the band brought it back after a long 15-year hiatus from live play. Hearing it with the current lineup—specifically Teemu Mäntysaari on lead guitar—is a revelation.
Teemu brings a precision that even some die-hard fans say rivals the legendary Marty Friedman. When they played it in Tinley Park, Illinois, in late 2024, the crowd went absolutely nuts. It turns out, in an election year, a song about the fragility of power hits a little different.
The Technical Brilliance of the Composition
Let’s talk about the riffs. The opening is iconic—a clean, eerie guitar part that explodes into a high-speed gallop. It’s written in a way that forces the listener to pay attention.
- Tempo: It sits at a brisk pace that keeps the energy high without becoming a blur.
- Melody: The chorus is surprisingly catchy for a song about the collapse of civilization.
- Guitar Work: Glen Drover’s original solos were great, but the way Dave trades leads creates a conversation between the instruments.
Most bands would kill for a "deep cut" this strong. For Megadeth, it’s just another Tuesday. But for the fans, it represents the moment the band truly regained its footing in the 21st century.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you’re a guitar player trying to learn this, pay attention to the right-hand technique. It’s all about the "gallop" rhythm. You can’t just sloppily down-pick your way through it. You need that precise "da-da-da, da-da-da" triplet feel.
For the casual listener, take a second to actually read the lyrics while you listen. It’s easy to get lost in the shredding, but the narrative Dave builds is genuinely interesting. He references things like the "Empire of the Clouds" and the "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars." It’s a rabbit hole.
If you haven't revisited United Abominations in a while, do yourself a favor and put it on. Skip the "A Tout Le Monde" remake if you have to, but don't sleep on the title track or "Sleepwalker."
To get the full experience of the song's current evolution, go find a high-quality live recording from the 2024-2025 tour. Seeing James LoMenzo play the bass lines he originally recorded back in '07, but with the modern intensity of the current lineup, shows just how much staying power this track has. It’s not just a relic of the mid-2000s; it’s a staple of the Megadeth legacy.