•
Rating: 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
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 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.
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.
