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Rating: Year of Publication: 1986
Tracklist:
1. Wake up dead 2. The Conjuring 3. Peace sells 4. Devil's island
5. Good mourning/Black Friday 6. Bad Omen 7. I ain't superstitious 8. My last words
Today I will talk about this second (and seminal) disc from Megadeth. The album holds great significance for the band as it consolidates and matures the style already initiated with the debut "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good" both musically and thematically.
In fact, despite the whole band still being heavily under the influence of drugs, the songwriting is decidedly more solid and mature than in the debut, as well as the production (admittedly, Mustaine himself stated that half of the debut album's budget was spent on drugs) and also the performances by the band. Mustaine's voice is better and more mature (though it maintains that characteristic tone that is either loved or hated). The sound is still dirty and violent, but more precise and effective, and at the level of songwriting, we witness the development of certain insights and a style of composing that would become typical of the band. The lyrics begin to show a certain apocalyptic and paranoid taste, with a certain propensity for political themes (see the album cover, which depicts a devastated UN building, or read the lyrics of "Peace Sells"), elements already present but still very raw.
Image-wise, the band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, appears for the first time on the cover with the look he will also have in the following years. The band's strength at this stage of their career lies in violent, direct, effective, and uncompromising tracks that nevertheless do not abandon certain subtleties and influences not typically belonging to the metal world but more akin to blues or jazz (testified by the cover of "I Ain't Superstitious" by Willie Dixon).
The album starts very well with the direct and compelling "Wake Up Dead," a powerful and energetic track with a desperate and hallucinated undertone. It then continues with "The Conjuring," a piece that starts relatively calmly, only to become an authentic punch in the teeth. It then continues with the title track, a fundamental composition and perhaps the most successful of the album: it opens with a nice bass line, continues with a simple but very effective and compelling riff while Mustaine with his peculiar voice (which is either loved or hated) ironically mimics the so-called "system" only to suddenly change halfway and become a paranoid and obsessive gallop. "Devil's Island" is the classic metal flurry that talks about the equally classic criminal sentenced to death; "Good Mourning/Black Friday" is the longest and most complex track on the album, starting with a calm arpeggiated acoustic guitar in the background with the lead guitar above, serving as an introduction to the song. After Mustaine's menacing "good morning," the track changes tone and the acoustic guitar is replaced by a martial electric guitar marking a powerful riff. The same acoustic arpeggio is then repeated with the electric. The nightmare then explodes totally in the second part of the track, "Black Friday" becoming a very aggressive and fast piece, an excellent thrash track. Mustaine's interpretation of the lyrics is exceptional, he plays the part of the insane murderer very well. The whole track is subject to sudden accelerations that increase the adrenaline in the listener.
"Bad Omen" is the worst episode of the album, quite anonymous, adding or taking nothing. The classic skip track. The cover of "I Ain't Superstitious" is very interesting, as the band manages to make the song their own and adapt it to a metal key without distorting it or making it trivial.
The closing track "My Last Words" is another excellent thrash gallop starting with a calm acoustic guitar, only to become an engaging mid-tempo before finally transforming into a wild and crazy race. Ultimately, a very important album both for Megadeth's career and for the thrash metal scene in general.
Now for a few brief curiosities...
- "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" is the band's second album.
- There is a video for the track "Wake Up Dead"
- The album is co-produced by Mustaine and Randy Burns, who would later become very famous in the metal field producing works of Sepultura as well.
- The complete form of the band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, appears for the first time.
- Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson were kicked out of the band after the album tour for selling equipment to buy drugs and making erotic phone calls to Mustaine's girlfriend (!).
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 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 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.
