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[Brief warning for the magnanimous dwarves: my following review cannot be authenticated because the email service is not working at all. Anyway, I am Jigoro; I have commented on many metal reviews by my friends The Bassist and cliffburton86) and therefore if you could please fix the review a bit for me, I would be infinitely grateful and would register as soon as possible. Thank you.]
Megadeth: impossible not to mention them when talking about American thrash-speed. This magnificent CD was released in the year 1986 (oh come on) and is the second creation (after "Killing is my Business… and Business is Good") of that Dave Mustaine frustrated by his previous experience with Metallica (bastards, Cliff Burton RIP) who saw him expelled from the group in 1983 due to his alcohol and drug abuse issues. Well, in this CD, Mustaine gives his best. We are talking about an album that, in my opinion, is superior to Dave's other masterpiece (Rust in Peace), colder and less emotional.
So, having said that, I could close the review and directly give it a 5... but that just doesn't seem right.
The lineup is the first and the same as "Killing...", that is: Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitar, the trusty David Ellefson on the 4 strings, Chris Poland on the second six strings, which with him and Dave creates an incredibly infernal result and Gar Samuelson on the skins, keeping heavy and often quite fast rhythms.
First of all, the illustration by Ed Repka on the cover, with an apocalyptic scenario in the background and Vic Rattlehead holding a sign saying 'FOR SALE' while behind him, in the sky, appear three jets with trails, in my opinion, it’s among the best metal covers ever seen. But let's move on to the album, the masterpiece of Megadeth.
It contains eight tracks, one of which is a cover of a song from the 60s ("I Ain't Superstitious"). Almost all are characterized by very diabolic and satanic lyrics typical of the early Megadeth and guitars that produce sounds coming directly from the Underworld. The beautiful "Wake Up Dead" opens the dances, followed by the equally magnificent "The Conjuring" (according to many, including myself, one of the best songs ever written by Megadeth).
The third track opens with an immortal bass rhythm, followed by two snare hits and the shredding guitars, all laced with very beautiful lyrics: attention. We are in front of Megadeth's masterpiece track. It's "Peace Sells." Every metalhead should have it memorized.
Fourth is "Devil’s Island," followed by another Megadeth gem that responds to the name "Good Mourning—Black Friday," which leaves room for "Bad Omen." The rocking cover follows, and the album closes in beauty with the magnificent "My Last Words," the typical '80s thrash song: continuous double pedal, sustained bass, infernal guitars, and semi-falsetto voice typical of the defiant Dave.
Infernal guitars with tapping always present, sustained bass weaving excellent lines (astonishing Ellefson), slow and heavy drums that suddenly explode into typically thrash bursts, defiant voice make this CD an absolute timeless masterpiece that every metalhead MUST own. At all costs. If you don’t have it, run to buy it. (Also available in a budget edition for the modest price of about 10 euros). Seriously. Masterpiece.
(PS: This is my first review, metalhead friends, if you don’t like it, don’t insult me but tell me what I should improve. Thank you all, cheers).
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Wake Up Dead (03:40)
Wake Up Dead
I sneak in my own house
It's four in the morning
I had too much to drink
Said I was out with the boys
I creep in my bedroom
I slip into bed,
I know if I wake her,
I'll wake up dead
Chorus
I wonder, will she find out,
About the other, other lover.
Diana.
Wake up dead, you die
Wake up dead, and buried.
Wake up dead, you die
Wake up dead.
02 The Conjuring (05:04)
Welcome to out sanguinary sect of worship.
Feel at home in our black conventicle,
As we anathematise
All of those who oppose us.
Don't summon the devil,
Don't call the priests,
If you need the strength
The conjuring. Obey!!!
Behold the flames rise
From the compass' cardinal points.
Burn the sacred oil,
And, with the ashes you'll annoint.
Arrange the symbols,
Of the wizard, and, magician.
Light the candles,
Place the parchment paper in position.
Between its leaves place
The lash from a black cat's eye,
A straw of a broom,
Fold, and, burn, and, centralise.
Don't summon the devil,
Don't call the priests,
If you need the strength,
The conjuring.
I am the devil's advocate,
A salesman, if you will
You know my name. [You know my name]
I met your father years ago,
Gave him what he'd please.
He called my name, you'll do the same.
I'm claiming what is mine by right,
It's time to close the deal.
You're bought and sold, bought and sold.
Come join me in my infernal depths,
Mephisto's hall of fame.
I've got your soul, I've got your soul.
The conjuring. Obey!!!
03 Peace Sells (04:04)
What do you mean I don't believe in God?
I talk to him everyday.
What do you mean, I don't support your system?
I go to court when I have to
What do you mean, I can't get to work on time?
I got nothing better to do.
And, what do you mean, I don't pay my bills?
Why do you think I'm broke? Huh?
If there's a new way,
I'll be the first in line.
But it better work this time.
What do you mean, I hurt your feelings?
I didn't know you had any feelings.
What do you mean, I ain't kind?
Just not your kind.
What do you mean, I couldn't be the President
Of the United States of America?
Tell me something, it's still We the people, right?
If there's a new way
I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
Can you put a price on peace?
Peace,
Peace sells...,
Peace,
Peace sells...,
Peace sells... but who's buying?
Peace sells... but who's buying?
Peace sells... but who's buying?
Peace sells... but who's buying?
No, peace sells...AH
06 Bad Omen (04:05)
Down fell the stars, as they
Splashed into the sea.
"Mi nomine Baphomet",
Come dance with me.
Sacrifice the virgins,
Spiritual rites.
Their master's time has come,
The moon is full tonight.
Drinking, dancing,
They worship, and toast
The devil, who's watching,
With demon's remote.
Fire, rising,
Racing in your blood.
Possessed, naive,
His service is done.
Bloody blasphemy.
Sinister's the word,
As the demon's take their fill.
An orgy's taking place,
Human blood will spill.
An act of worship,
As they conceive the ghouls.
Satan has their souls,
They sing pagan tunes.
The ceremony,
Is sure to be cursed.
They ask for his blessings,
But, down comes the worst.
Their bodies, soulless,
A corpse from the grave.
Their minds are helpless,
And, no-one can save [x 5],
No-one can save them (oh no). [x 2]
07 I Ain't Superstitious (02:46)
I ain't superstitious,
When a black cat crosses my path
And I ain't superstitious
As I break the looking glass
Ain't afraid of no demons,
Don't make me laugh!
I ain't superstitious,
Under the ladder I go
And I ain't superstitious,
It's all bullshit, don't you know!
I ain't afraid of no shadows,
I like the dark anyway
And that's a fact! Ha!
Superstitious, superstitious
And I ain't superstitious,
No such thing as bad luck
And I ain't superstitious,
I couldn't really give a fuck
Take your stupid superstitions,
Find some other paranoidal,
Chickenshit, sissy, worm, and tell it to him
Superstitious, superstitious
I ain't superstitious
And that's a fact, one more time,
Come on, shut your mouth,
Listen up, hey it's my turn
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