Megadeth
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?

THE REVIEW

MEGADETH "PEACE SELLS… BUT WHO’S BUYING ?" (1986 - CAPITOL)

In 1986, Megadeth released their second full-length album, an absolute masterpiece, a true milestone of thrash metal, destined to become an immortal classic for generations to come.

"Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" is still today a brilliant example of the talent and execution skill of this exceptional quartet (a lineup destined, in its second incarnation, to a turbulent and short-lived artistic coexistence), perfectly at ease combining power and progressive elements with a distinctly speed-derived sound. While fundamental acts like Metallica, Exodus, and Anthrax were spreading the word among fans of the time, it is with this LP that what soon will be baptized as techno-thrash emerges undeniably, that is, the branch of the genre that will elevate speed metal to an absolute level from artistic and formal points of view.

The apocalyptic image printed on the album cover, depicting an urban scenario devastated by a (nuclear?) war conflict over which the flags of all the world's states prominently and provocatively fly, clearly captures the corrosive and ironic spirit of the band, as well as embodying one of the most widespread fears in the States during Reagan's second presidency, that of a possible degeneration of the Cold War. After releasing a good debut album like “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!”, still deeply tied to the sound coordinates of the aforementioned Metallica, Mustaine's band, with this release, manages to elevate their offering significantly, especially due to a lineup with a decidedly superior technical level compared to that of the "Four Horsemen." Chris Poland's outstanding performance on the six strings proves fundamental in making this album an essential work: his jazz attitude and ability to create solid support to Dave Mustaine's phenomenal sharp riffs hit the mark, leaving indelible traces in the listener's mind.

Listening to this platinum-certified album in the USA, where it broke the million-copy sold barrier in no time, we strongly sense the elegant phrasing of the Mustaine-Ellefson duo, increasingly bonded by numerous on-stage experiences. The valid rhythmic complement Gar Samuelson, while not always offering flawless play, manages, with his considered drumming, to provide a solid base for the frescoes painted by the two guitars. Showing us the elaborate and complex thrash of tracks like the wonderful "Devils Island", the magnificent and sinister "Good Mourning/Black Friday", one of the best songs in Megadeth's entire discography, and the opening "Wake up dead", Mustaine and company make their intentions clear: the band's goal is to create a work that, while maintaining the violence of their first album unchanged, manages to carry the listener even deeper. The singer's own vocals, expressive and sharp, and his unmistakable and chilling guitar solos, prove suitable to introduce this nightmare to even the least inclined spectator.
It is impossible to remain indifferent to the majestic progression of the title track, characterized by an initial bass riff that has rightfully entered the history of heavy metal. This song is a true masterpiece, able to merge power and melody excellently, exploding into a granite chorus that magnificently seals a terrifying sound assault. The album's level remains extremely high, thanks to an inexhaustible source of memorable tracks, like the incredible "The Conjuring" or the pyrotechnic cover of Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious", which at the time caused some criticism from the most rigid and, if I may say, most obtuse thrashers. The shocking "My Last Words", closing an absolutely indispensable work for any self-respecting collection, gives us the last thrill of this masterpiece, capable of surprising and dispensing emotions that time's wear could not diminish.

"Peace Sells... But Who's Buying" succeeds in effectively capturing Megadeth's attitude, crystallizing their energy and brilliantly enhancing the ideas conceived by the ingenious Dave Mustaine.

(Enrico Rosticci)

TITLE TRACK:

01) WAKE UP DEAD
02) THE CONJURING
03) PEACE SELLS
04) DEVILS ISLAND
05) GOOD MOURNING/BLACK FRIDAY
06) BAD OMEN
07) I AIN’T SUPERSTITIOUS
08) MY LAST WORDS