The System Has failed is 11 years old today and I still consider it a newer album.

Fantastic album. One of the last metal albums I had HUGE anticipation for and excitedly went to buy from a physical music store the day it was released and that managed to meet my skyscraper high expectations.

I didn't much care for Something that I'm Not, not that it's a bad song, but the rest of the album was REALLY good. Tears in a Vial might be my favorite of them all. I also would've liked to hear a longer version of I Know Jack.


It naturally put huge expectations towards United Abominations a few years later, and hearing Sleepwalker and Washington Is Next beforehand made the expectations even higher. Too bad the rest of the songs mostly weren't as good. There were a few moments here and there, but I was a bit disappointed, although I still kinda liked the album.

After that I lowered my expectations for Endgame which I ended up loving. I still don't quite know which is better, Endgame or The System Has Failed. Both are excellent albums. I guess The System Has Failed is the FINAL heavy metal album I managed to create this weird rather "nostalgic" love for. I don't get that same feeling from United Abominations or Endgame where I can just remember how great time I had putting the CD into a stereo system and playing it every single day for quite some time. I don't think any other album since that one makes me remember fondly of times when I just sat down and listened to a CD. There are great later albums by great bands but none of those have stuck deep in my memory like this one managed to do.

It really has a special place in my heart.

I thought Dave was resigned to sub par albums and living off the 'deth name when TSHF came out.