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Rating: "Peace Sells. . . but Who's Buying?"
That's the title of the second album by Dave Mustaine and company, known as Megadeth. After the debut "Killing is my Business", which boasted a production made with a Nokia cell phone, the band’s leader gradually manages to shed the frustration that had plagued him for some time, and yes... it seems that being kicked out of Metallica only caused a huge wound to his pride.
But to give an opinion, who is Dave Mustaine? Mustaine is a classic spoiled kid, moody and sometimes a bit of a bully, someone who believes the world revolves around his ideas. This is evident in his career, a career chasing those who rejected him, constantly changing (trying to) perfect and then changing again. Furthermore, just listen to how he showcases his (excellent) guitar skills: hyper-solos from a metal macho, an attempt to demonstrate his executive superiority to the fans and blatantly to his former bandmates, a pathetic and banal gesture. Dave and Lar$ Ulrich are two irritating figures in the metal scene...
Back to the album. As we said, dear Mustaine, by shedding the deepest wounds of his past, manages to have a reference point to play with, a line still influenced by the genre that got him started, but transforming it into something raw and at the same time very technical. What will emerge is a new kind of thrash metal, with a speed twist. The problem is that the tracks, being raw in every respect, often turn out to be boring and lacking in ideas, although the technique is there, and it is perfectly noticeable. Another flaw is the voice. While in subsequent albums like "Rust in Peace", the melody might reach adequacy, here it doesn’t even get to expiry, it’s so absurd it’s original in its style, this is a thrash voice, with a punk background. And with this, I finish the premise.
Guitar break and the first track "Wake Up Dead" starts, one of the few best tracks on the album. There’s no point describing the dirty sound and composition, a perfect Thrash metal with no nuances or outlines. Dave brilliantly showcases his guitar skills alongside his former accompanist (who would become a future rival) Chris Poland, but what's absurd is his voice, lacking in melody and any quality.
The second track "The Conjuring" is one of those songs that leave an unfillable void until the end, all copied and zero creativity.
"Peace Sells" is a classic from the band, good bass line composed by David Ellefson that follows slow and heavy riffs, the track gains liveliness towards the end with Gar Samuelson's drumming.
"Devil’s Island" is, in my opinion, the best track on the album, notable Metallica influences, riffs are played to be catchy, even the solos, although leaning towards being poorly delivered, are executed with significant executive skill.
"Good Mourning/Black Friday" is a track that’s too immature, something good could have come out if tried to develop it a bit, instead, the result is just a boring episode (and it’s not the only one).
The fifth track "Bad Omen" is the umpteenth monotonous Megadeth track, you can have a good overdose of these copied riffs and solos, listen to test it out.
The album falls to the edge with the last two tracks that seem to change face, the crude and vulgar sound of the guitars transforms into two lively tracks with a melodic touch, "I Ain’t Superstitious" and "My Last Words" close this album with half-closed eyes.
An album so raw and devoid of composition that it completely erases the word originality, the songs all seem to have come from the same father, similar and monotonous, not to mention the majesty of Mustaine’s voice! Over time Dave will elaborate on his tracks trying to give them personality and distinction, while in the year this CD was released, two undisputed masterpieces like "Reign in Blood and Master Of Puppets" came out, unfortunately, Megadeth did not do this.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Wake Up Dead (03:37)
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 (05:00)
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 (04:05)
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 (04:03)
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 (02:42)
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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Other reviews
By metal miles
"Peace is for sale, but who’s buying it?"
The violent and rhythmic riffs, the thunderous and dark bass lines, the double pedals, and the hammering on the drums and the feverish solos integrate perfectly with each other and penetrate deep into your heart.
By Enrico Rosticci
"Peace Sells... But Who’s Buying? is still today a brilliant example of the talent and execution skill of this exceptional quartet."
"The majestic progression of the title track, characterized by an initial bass riff that has rightfully entered the history of heavy metal."
By JenaPlissken
The album holds great significance for the band as it consolidates and matures the style already initiated with the debut.
'Peace Sells' is a fundamental composition and perhaps the most successful of the album, blending irony and paranoia.
By FlavioMetal
Megadeth crafted what is perhaps their absolute masterpiece.
Gar Samuelson played like a Billy Cobham in a state of grace but, above all, played like himself.
