Megadeth

Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (Capitol)
by Tim Den

For most Megadeth fans, the legacy starts right here. With guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson alongside the two Daves, Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? was the first album to fully capture the destruction machine that was Megadeth. By this point completely immersed in drug-enhanced nihilism, the boys purged demons that would scare the pants off of that other M band. The cover artwork said it all: Only ruins are left when this album is done with ya. Not just cuz of its velocity either: Peace Sells…’s guillotine-drops the giant metal blade, chopping demented mosh riffs into varying tempos, and then pastes them back together like a speed-fueled Frankenstein made of creepy CHUGS. Opener “Wake Up Dead” has been the perfect example of this for, what, 18 years now? There isn’t a “main riff,” but a multitude of tri-tones, stompers, and gang shouts somehow conveying danger like only suicidal men can. This shit’s fucking ferocious, man. Even with all the “tough guy” acts that have come and gone in the past two decades, when a classic Megadeth record comes on, it’s Escape From L.A. threatening.

Almost everything on here’s for the books: The driving “Devils Island,” the breakneck ending of “Good Morning/Black Friday,” and – of course – the legendary title track, which served as MTV News’ theme music for years. If only that unnecessary cover of “I Ain’t Superstitious” hadn’t been included, Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? would’ve been PERFECT. But alas, this reissue tries to make amends by including four bonus tracks, alternate mixes from producer/engineer Randy Burns that, for the most part, offer not much more than “there’s more reverb on the vocals here.” Wait, except for the title track, where guitar chords ring out under the now-famous “if there’s a new way/I’ll be the first in line” declaration. Interesting.

But the real reason you’re getting this isn’t cuz of what’s been added, right? It’s cuz Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? is a classic that now sounds even better cleaned up. Be prepared to have nightmares of Vic Rattlehead all over again!
(www.capitolrecords.com)