•
Rating: Megadeth – Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (1986)
A syncopated intro of bass and drums and we’re in! The record begins, which is not just a record, but a historical document that fully showcases the possibilities of metal in 1986. Four musicians, Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Chris Poland, and Gar Samuelson, the first two metalheads, the other two jazz musicians, have been playing together for almost 3 years. After a high-voltage debut like “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good”, released the previous year, the four have gotten to know each other and now play like the thrash metal version of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Thanks to the wise decision of Combat (their record label) to send them on tour to perform the new songs before recording them, Megadeth entered the studio in February ’86 with unmatched chemistry and professionalism, and despite all four musicians having issues with various substances, the record marked an era. With production first entrusted to Randy Burns and then to Paul Lani, a legendary cover signed by Ed Repka, and the attitude of seasoned jazz players with metal instead of blood, Megadeth crafted what is perhaps their absolute masterpiece (in the opinion of the writer, yes). “Wake Up Dead”, dedicated to Mustaine’s famous relationship with the often-cited Diana, “My Last Words”, inspired by Michael Cimino’s “The Deer Hunter”, are the first and last song of the album. Among them, the record embraces gems like “The Conjuring”, dedicated to certain black magic rituals practiced by Mustaine in his youth, “Devil’s Island”, written by Mustaine after seeing J. Schaffner’s “Papillon”, “Good Mourning/Black Friday”, which imagines a Friday where it is possible to kill and do anything. Other always memorable episodes are “Bad Omen”, which describes or invokes a possible arrival of Baphomet on Earth, and the beautiful cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Ain’t Superstitious”, which almost wards off so much dark energy with its sublime arrangement and Chris Poland’s unrepeatable solos. Each single musician gives their best on this record. Mustaine sings well and forges rhythms and solos that are almost Dionysian in their twilight energy, Ellefson plays the bass like a seasoned master, offering us various hooks that stay in our hearts, Poland is undoubtedly the heir of Allan Holdsworth (legendary jazz/fusion guitarist) and delivers a performance that no other guitarist has ever managed to repeat in this genre and, in my opinion, in general, and Gar Samuelson plays like a Billy Cobham in a state of grace but, above all, plays like himself. The drummer, in fact, was capable of translating jazz sensitivity into a totally different genre, thrash metal. This will not be forgotten, and his style is still considered decades ahead. What can be said, a group ready to dominate the world, whose obstacles were represented by nothing but the same obsession of the individual members for various drugs. Almost forgot, there remains a song, and it is obviously the title track. The famous bassline was written by Mustaine on a 4-string fretless (a bass without frets) that Ellefson had just set up, and taught to the bassist immediately after. A text that speaks of Mustaine’s philosophy of life, of how a guy in 1986 could feel crushed and alienated by society and always seek his unique way to feel like himself. He could even get elected president, he has the right, as a verse of the song says, and asks if we are always the ones who decide our lives or whether someone else in high power places does it for us. It concludes by sardonically repeatedly asking “peace sells… but who’s buying?”, almost to emphasize the world’s despair, the same world in which peace was proposed to be “sold” in 1986 to countries under military attack to stop attacking them.
The group seemed unstoppable, tours followed in succession, parties increased. When Megadeth was ready to record the third album, Mustaine unfortunately made the reckless decision to kick out Poland and Samuelson, apparently due to their substance abuses. This would have catastrophic repercussions on the group’s sound, which would recover over the years (see the Marty Friedman/Nick Menza period) but would never reach the levels of this album again.
In the 2004 remastered edition by Dave Mustaine, we find some original mixes by Randy Burns, while in the 35th-anniversary edition of 2011, besides a passionate note by Lars Ulrich (Metallica drummer and Mustaine’s bandmate at the origins of the group), we have the opportunity to listen to a literally killer live show of Megadeth in Cleveland in 1987.
May peace be with you!
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
Loading comments slowly
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 FedeHetfield
An album so raw and devoid of composition that it completely erases the word originality.
Dave brilliantly showcases his guitar skills alongside his former accompanist Chris Poland, but what’s absurd is his voice, lacking in melody and any quality.
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.
