The World Needs a Hero is the ninth studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on May 15, 2001, by Sanctuary Records.

[2] After the critical and commercial failure of the previous album Risk (1999), The World Needs a Hero represented a change back to a heavier musical direction.

It is also the first album to feature the band's mascot Vic Rattlehead on the cover since Rust in Peace (1990), and the first to utilize Megadeth's classic logo since Youthanasia (1994).

When asked about the matter, and an earlier comment about Axl Rose having killed the traditional rock star image,[7] Mustaine explained that "People want heroes.

Commenting on negative stories in the news, such as wars and natural disasters, Mustaine inferred that the world at that time was in need of a hero to solve various problems around the planet.

[9] The album cover by Hugh Syme shows Megadeth's mascot Vic Rattlehead bursting out of Mustaine's chest, reminiscent of the 1979 film Alien.

"[15] "Coming Home" was only available on the Japanese pressing as a bonus track, but has since been released on the Warchest box set and the 2019 reissue of the album.

"[8] When asked if "Recipe for Hate... Warhorse" was written about any particular person, Mustaine said that there were "a whole bunch of people that'd probably deserve that song," but didn't single out anyone in particular.

[18] Megadeth commenced a tour to promote the album on June 8, 2001, at Milton Keynes National Bowl in England, where they were featured alongside acts such as AC/DC, The Offspring, and Queens of the Stone Age.

[4] Neil Arnold of Metal Forces wrote that even though the album was "lacking the menace of the band’s earlier work", it was still a more accomplished effort than the previous record.

Pratt, after briefly critiquing the lack of a thrashy sound, positively compared the record to Youthanasia (1994) and Countdown to Extinction (1992).

Additionally, he commented that even in the absence of longtime members Nick Menza and Marty Friedman, that the band still sounded good.

[24] Orlando Weekly's John Engels felt that the void left by former guitarist Marty Friedman was successfully filled by Al Pitrelli.