Rust in Peace - Song by Song

[Zzzptm]

Megadeth was already a force in metal prior to their 1990 studio release, Rust in Peace, but it was with this album that they delivered something more than a good album. Rust in Peace is a milestone in thrash metal, cited frequently as a major influence by bands and hailed as one of the best hard rock/metal albums, ever. It's the first album of a lineup that would prove to be Megadeth's most stable and which is also considered to be the "classic" Megadeth lineup.

The album kicks off with the epic "Holy Wars: The Punishment Due", which is also my favorite track on the album. The opening aggressive chords power a furious, violent section that gives way to a slower, determined middle section. But with the conclusion of the middle section's solo, we return to an even more staccato and enraged coda of the original section, and it gives me goosebumps to listen to to this day.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

As with Metallica I didn't pay any attention to Megadeth for a few years, indeed it was only when this album came out and the singles charted and got some airplay that I started to notice them. It should be said that I only really like this album and the follow-up Countdown to Extinction... I have a few others but never play them.

Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

I really like this song, not too thrashy, indeed it has tempo changes! Good vocals from Mustaine and I like the lyrics (even though I'm entirely sure whhat they're about!). Great start to the album.

[Charger]

Rust In Peace isn't my favourite Megadeth album (that'd be Cryptic Writings) but I can most certainly understand why it is considered a stone cold classic and one of the finest albums in thrash metal of all time. After struggling a bit with line-up changes Dave and David finally found a more stable line up on this album with Marty Friedman and Nick Menza both of which were more than capable players as well...even if Chris Poland was/is the better guitarist by far.

There was some kind of magical element that brought this album together...and it was in a time when thrash metal was already on the decline...here comes Megadeth with a massive thrash onslaught that elevated them to another level publically. Dave perfected his songwriting and playing and at this point was hands down not only the best guitarist in thrash but most likely the best song writer as well.

I can't fully remember when I got this album...I know CW was my first Megadeth album...I bought it new...then I think I got Peace Sells and my second cousin brought me his copy of RIP...I think....yes...and I burned a copy of it for myself. (late 90s. it must have been since I remember playing Carmageddon and blasting CW and RIP) I don't think I bought it until the 2004 remasters came out...I bought the entire set of the earlier albums. Regardless Megadeth was my first contact with Thrash, eventhough they were more of a traditional Metal band at that point.


Holy Wars...Punishment Due kicks the album off with a fierce thrash beat that brilliantly shifts gears midway for a middle eastern short guitar solo bit. The song itself is about the Israel/Palestine situation and it tells the story without really taking any sides other than the obvious: killing for religion is the dumbest thing to kill for in history.

The guitar riffs on this are monsterous and Dave's vocals are still bit trying to find their style, somewhere between the higher register of the earlier albums and the grittier more earthly delivery of the following albums but his vocal delivery in top notch. The other thing that stands out on this track in Nick Menza's incredible drumming.

What a wonderful way to start an album...not only is this the best track on the album it might very well be one of the best opening tracks of all time...surely the best in the world of thrash metal.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Hangar 18

This was the song that really got me interested in Megadeth. I think they may have even performed it on Top of the Pops! Anyway, it's a song of two halves, the first half is the one with the singing and the second is an extended "jam" of sorts! I love the lyrics all technical and tongue-twisty about secret experiments in Area 51! The second half takes a while to get going, it's a little samey, riffing then a short solo followed by more riffing and more solos, but then is suddenly gets heavier and I really like it from then on until the end.

[Zzzptm]

I love the "level change music" part in the middle of the piece.

It's a strong tune that has to live in the shadow of the opening track.

[Charger]

Hangar 18

Love the way the song kicks off with a fierce riffing. And the lyrics are brilliant...just wish there'd be a third verse instead of the rather over long instrumental outro. I've always found that bit tedious and repetetive. No denying there's some great playing going on there it's just bit too long. Everytime you think that's the last part...nope...there comes another one. Which is why I actually like Return To The Hangar much more than this one...it's basically similar structure but just bit more tight and shorter.

In a live setting this song does work better...especially as a concert opener.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Take No Prisoners

The first song on the album I would call "thrash", it has a great speedy opening riff, and doesn't let up from there, indeed it speeds up! The vocals are pretty good although the lyrics are mixed, starting strong but getting a little cliched at the end. Overall I like this one a lot.

[Zzzptm]

Take No Prisoners



This is not a complicated song. It's essentially "Concerto for Thrashers in G Major". Gets to the point and pounds it home, like a good thrash song should!

[Jack the Stripper]

Sorry for not participating in these. It kinda feels weird for me reviewing these albums. I lived and breathed these albums when they were released and hold them in the highest esteem. I can’t honestly fault Rust and Master. They were both probably the most addictive albums I’ve ever owned when they came out.

[Zzzptm]

Sorry for not participating in these. It kinda feels weird for me reviewing these albums. I lived and breathed these albums when they were released and hold them in the highest esteem. I can’t honestly fault Rust and Master. They were both probably the most addictive albums I’ve ever owned when they came out.

Well, this is also an excuse to trot them out again and savor the tunes one more time. Hope you're enjoying them again.

[Charger]

Take No Prisoners is a nice thrasher but that's about it. There's nothing special about it...but there's also nothing annoying or troubling about it. A nice fast tempo rocker.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Five Magics

This starts as an interesting instrumental, which is sort of let down by the vocals. Not a bad song but perhaps it could have stayed as an instrumental!

[Zzzptm]

Apparently, the remasters of this track make the vocals horrible, so I'm going with the original version on this... vox aren't too bad in my book, as I'm listening more for the aggro thrash than anything else. I'm just glad the cookie monster stuff was kept as an ornament and not the main vocal line.

[Charger]

Five Magics is the worst track on the album hands down. It's still not a horrible song but it overstays it welcome for a bit. I wouldn't mind had it been trimmed down to 3 minutes or so.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Poison Was The Cure

I like the bass led intro and the final instrumental section is good too. After the little drum break when the song proper starts it all falls apart... the riff sounds like a hillbilly hoedown and the vocals have no connection to the tune whatsoever and are completely incomprehensible! This may have been the intention and might be a staple part of the thrash genre...! So... a mixed bag then.