High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The System Has Failed is the tenth studio album released by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on September 14, 2004, is the second and final Megadeth album released by Sanctuary Records. The System Has Failed was the first of three Megadeth albums not to include original bassist and co-founder David Ellefson. Instead, the album features session players, including former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland on lead guitar. However, Poland only provided lead guitar parts and solos on a contractual basis and did not rejoin the band.