Megadeth - Rust in Peace
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.87 You Save: $12.11 (71%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Rust in Peace
Free Music Review: Megadeth's classic thrash metal assault that takes no prisoners!
Hit: 5 Stars
Rust In Peace (1990.), Megadeth's fourth studio album
When Dave Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica, shortly before the recording of the band's first studio album, 'Kill 'Em All' in 1983, no-one would have guessed that the exiled guitarist had the ability to form a band that would rival Metallica. However over time, Dave Mustaine's thrash metal band Megadeth were to become one of the definitives acts in the genre. Initially though, the band's line up was far from stable. After the release of the well acclaimed 'Peace Sells...' album in 1986, guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson were both kicked out of the band by Mustaine as they sold the band's equipment for drug money. Then after a one album experiment with guitarist Jeff Young, Dave Mustaine had to put the band together yet again. However the recruitment of guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza turned things around for the band. 'Rust In Peace' was the first release from what many fans know as the classic line up of the band and has gone on to be perhaps the bands most acclaimed work. So, how much does this album really rock?
Dave Mustaine's aim was always to be better than his former band Metallica. In the 80's, Megadeth's output was good but never quite matched albums like 'Master Of Puppets' or '...And Justice For All' which were at the forefront of developing the thrash genre. However, 'Rust In Peace' changed all this. This album is 5* material all the way and it definitely is on a level with some of Metallica's classic work (I say that as a big early Metallica fan myself). In fact, this is one of the all time great thrash albums, and with metal in general. 'Rust In Peace' is a 40 minute musical onslaught which hardly lets up. The album is full of blistering riffs, crazy solos and memorable tunes. On 'Rust In Peace', everything works - there are hardly any flaws. It is top notch songwriting from Dave Mustaine and co.. Indeed, this album spawned some of the band's most famous songs such as the awesome 'Holy Wars...The Punishment Due' and 'Hangar 18'. Mustaine's rhythm guitar work (and occasional solos) are ultra precise and hard hitting and Dave Ellefson plays out some awesome bass lines (such as at the start of songs like 'Five Magics' and 'Poison Was The Cure'). However, what maybe takes Megadeth up to an even higher level with this album is Marty Friedman's guitar work. Some of his guitar solos are phenominal and make other guitarists seem like they're playing with broken fingers! Plus his solos are diverse and always interesting to listen to. Another thing which really succeeds for Megadeth on this album is the structuring of their songs. The band never follow what I would describe as standard song formats (ie. verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, solo etc) but instead play out their songs in unique style. It doesn't make the music any more difficult to appreciate - I loved this album on the first listen but instead adds that extra dimension to the bands music. All in all, 'Rust In Peace' is thrash at it's best.
Recently, a large amount of Megadeth's catalogue got remastered and reissued. The 'Rust In Peace' album was no exception. However, the remasters have met a mixed response from fans. I personally think the remaster is great - the CD has some good extras and out-take bonus tracks and the sound quality of the album is very clear and crisp. However, some long time fans have found complaint with the remastering of Dave Mustaine's vocals. I'm only familiar with his singing on the remasters so I can't personally comment, however some long time fans have found the vocals to be garbled and butchered, in comparison to the original album issue.
Going back to the songs on the album, Megadeth's masterpiece kicks off with the well acclaimed fan favourite, 'Holy Wars...The Punishment Due'. This is the longest track on the album and is perhaps the best also. The opening blistering riffs with Dave Mustaine's cries about the perils of warfare make an awesome attacking start. Then, after a mini acoustic sequence, the second half of the song thunders in, with more crashing riffs. The latter half of the song is full of solos from both Mustaine and Friedman, all of which are awesome. It's hard to put into context how much is packed into this song alone! 'Hangar 18' follows, kicking off with a fast chugging riff. This is another classic driving and thrashing song with no respite throughout it's 5 minute running time. 'Take No Prisoners' is a shorter but no less inferior song, with some great bass and drum rhythms layered by fast guitar work. The 'Take No Prisoners, Take No Shit' vocal exit packs a heavy musical punch. Next up is one of my personal favourites on the album in the form of the underrated 'Five Magics'. The 2 minute opening sequence is brilliant, featuring a downcast but flowing bass melody from Dave Ellefson coupled with soaring guitar work. Then the song goes into all out attack through fast verses and an odd but miraculously catchy 'Give Me Alchemy' chorus. Friedman plays out more great solos and Mustaine's guitar exit is first rate, played at blistering pace.
'Poison Was The Cure' follows, a short 3 minute gem. The nifty bass opening lines from Ellefson are great before the song hurls into top gear, courtesy off a fast, blues styled guitar line from Marty Friedman. The song also has some intersting, chromatic bridge riffs. 'Lucretia' follows, a brightly opening song which leads into another hard hitting thrash song, with more great solos. 'Tornado Of Souls' is another top moment on the album, incorporating racing guitar riffs and well placed bass empashasis. The vocal bridge mid-way through is a highlight. The quirky 'Dawn Patrol' follows. This is basically 2 minutes of spoken verse over a pretty cool bass line. Still this song is no filler and breaks the album up nicely. Next, to finish this great album is the title track 'Rust In Peace...Polaris', a thrash classic with a nuclear war theme. This is another fantastic song with more breakneck riffs and solos.
This album is one of the hallmarks for Megadeth and is definitely one of the all time thrash classics. Few albums are consistently excellent as this. Megadeth, under their new line up found their creative peak and produced works like this one. Megadeth are somewhat an underrated band, often classed by some as Metallica clones. However, that couldn't be further from the truth and this album is proof of the band's own genius. 'Rust In Peace' is a must for any heavy metal fans collection, no question!
Free Music Review: May Metallica Rust In Peace...Bring On Megadeth!
Hit: 5 Stars
Rust In Peace(1990). Megadeth's Fourth Album, And The First And Last To Feature Guitarist Randy Friedman.
Before Thrash broke open with Metallica's self-titled release, Megadeth's 'Countdown To Extinction', and Anthrax's 'Sound of White Noise'(all which were Top 5 hits) in 1991, each of those bands, under the mainstream radar, had been releasing masterpieces for years, and it wasn't until they became popular that fans have came to enjoy their earlier work. Such is the case with Megadeth's, whose best release is debateable as either 'Rust In Peace' or 'Peace Sells....But Who's Buying?', but typically, the guitar virtuoso performances and pure Thrash sound of 'Rust In Peace' make it the common favorite. Although Dave Mustaine and Megadeth were getting a bad rap for 'So Far, So Good, So What?', Mustaine decided to hire guitarist Randy Friedman, which will forever be remembered as one of his best decisions for the band. Friedman and Mustaine brought the electric and heavy metal guitar riffs and solos to new levels, and while this album is typically known as a Thrash album, to any guitarists or fans of the instrument will tell you, this is one of the best guitar albums out there. Over the years, songs like 'Holy Wars....The Punishment Due' and 'Hangar 18' have rightfully become two of the band's biggest hits. Since Dave Mustaine recently re-mastered most of Megadeth's catalogue(PS..BWB through Risk), I decided to try out Megadeth for the first time and picked up the legendary 'Rust In Peace'. So, was I impressed or disappointed? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due- Often praised as Megadeth's best, arguing against that statement it almost impossible. A six minute opus of crunching riffs, blistering and haunting solos, creepy lyrics and vocals, not to mention the countless time signature changes make "Holy Wars" a masterpiece. Mustaine keeps the song flowing, as it never, ever stays the same longer than 10 seconds! Only Metallica's "One" is better than this song in the Speed/Thrash Metal Genre!
Hangar 18- Although it starts as a thrashy paranoid statement against the government, chockful of fiery vocals and a doomy riff, "Hangar 18" mainly serves as a chance for Mustaine and Friedman to flex their guitar skills. For a little over 4(!) minutes, these guys rip out seven chords worth of metallic bliss. It's almost impossible not to love this song! "Hangar 18" and "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" couldn't have started 'Rust In Peace' off better!
Take No Prisoners- Almost a thrash anthem, "Take No Prisoners" urges people to destroy anyone who comes in their way, and most importantly, "take no prisoners, take no s**t!". Dark and uncompromising, Menza's fever-pitch drumming, Friedman's rebellious riff and Mustaine's anarchatic vocals make you feel like pumping your fists and moshing! E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!
Five Magics- One of Megadeth's darkest and gloomiest tracks, "Five Magics" stirs the listener up with its creepy bassline and foreboding guitar harmonies. Although Mustaine gets in a few vocals here and there, he and Friedman belt out some amazing guitar solos, from out-right doomy to melodic, and it makes for quite a surreal listen. The chorus is thrash gold, and yet again Megadeth proves themselves to be Thrash Gods.
Poison Was The Cure- Another doomy track, "Poison Was The Cure" begins with an expectant bassline, and unsurprisingly Friedman and Mustaine's crunching guitar riff builds up to a speedy thrasher not unlike Motorhead or Iron Maiden. Yet again, the band is in top-form here, and this song won't fail to please.
Lucretia- Beginning with a witch laughing, "Lucretia" soon builds up to a punky thrash metal masterpiece, featuring dark, melodic punk riffs from Friedman and Mustaine and sarcastic vocals from Mustaine. When I hear this, I immediately think of a combination of Anthrax and The Sex Pistols. I'm liking this song more and more...
Tornado of Souls- Ah yes, "Tornado of Souls"! Another fan favorite, Megadeth sounds much like they would become on 'Countdown To Extinction', and also, "Tornado of Souls" echoes back to Testament's masterpiece "Souls of Black". The guitarwork is phenomenal, with super-fast sludgy riffs, but what stands out the most is Mustaine's vocals, which, during the chorus, are absolutely guaranteed to get your head banging! Great musicianship, vocals, lyrics, solos....GREAT SONG!
Dawn Patrol- If you sampled a particuarly dark Black Sabbath song, and put a drunken psychopath at vocals, you would get "Dawn Patrol". Ellefson's creepy bassline and Mustaine's slightly (british?) accented vocals create a song that is obviously filler, but it's still downright cool!
Rust In Peace...Polaris- The track to end them all, "Rust In Peace...Polaris" is another fan favorite, a somber thrash metal classic that combines the lyrics and tone of Anthrax with the heaviness of Judas Priest. Mustaine's vocals are criticizing and angry, while Friedman and Mustaine rip out solos and riffs that Yngwie Malmsteen would be proud of. A great way to end an album!
In 2004, Dave Mustaine remastered the Megadeth albums 'Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?', 'So Far, So Good, So What?', 'Rust In Peace', 'Countdown To Extinction', 'Youthanasia', and 'Risk', increasing the sound quality and adding it bonus tracks, not to mention interesting liner notes that include commentary from Dave and full lyrics. On 'Rust In Peace', Mustaine added new lyrics and guitar solos to "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due", "Rust In Peace...Polaris", and "Take No Prisoners", which sound very close to the originals. He also added in an interesting, but short rocker titled "My Creation".
Overall, 'Rust In Peace' is a thrash classic, easily standing among Metallica's 'Master of Puppets', Anthrax's 'Persistence of Time', Testament's 'The New Order', and Slayer's 'Reign In Blood'. Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine are guitar and songwriting genuises, and it shows: 'Rust In Peace' has some of the most complex and intricate songwriting, not to mention guitarwork that will effectively blow your mind. 'Rust In Peace' is absolutely essential for guitar players, or anybody who wants to widen their Heavy Metal/Thrash collection.
Free Music Review: Perfect Thrash Metal
Hit: 5 Stars
Whether or not Megadeth is just an offshoot or Metallica is up to the fans to decide. As you most likely know, Dave Mustaine (vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main writer for megadeth) was kicked out of Metallica in 1983 for drug abuse. That same year he formed his own little band of jazz-thrash-metal (along with jazz guitarist Chris Poland) and released the album Killing Is My Business... And Business is Good! in 1985. Aggressive, fast paced, intelligent, and at times simply silly, it showed the perfect combination of Jazz and Thrash metal. Metallica obviously kicked themselves for letting Mustaine go, and if they did not feel that way upon hearing the opening track, they must have upon hearing Mechanix, Mustaine's original version of Metallica's Four Horsemen. Twice as fast, twice as skilled and twice as coherent, it was Mustaine's way of lashing back at Metallica for them continuing to play his songs after he left, which they had the nerve to continue doing in their timeless classic Ride The Lightning. Fast forward 5 years and you see megadeth with a new lineup, with expert guitarist Marty Friedman. If Peace Sells was a great album due to its anti-social themes, politically minded lyrics and guitar interplay (all of which Rust In Peace possesses by the way), Rust In Peace improved the guitar solo even further. Name me another band where the Rhythm Guitarist and Lead Guitarist are almost equals (AND manage to pull it off without sucking) and their master work would still not compete with Rust In Peace. Granted some bands may have one guitarist capable of ripping these awesome solos. But can you name one with two? Metallica you say? I don't think so. While Friedman Mustaine and Hammet are all at about the same level, Hetfeild can hardly compete with Kurt Cobain, let alone Mustaine (admittedly the weakest of the aforementioned guitarists). Now I do tend to ramble, so let me just give a quick breakdown of the tracks and how I rate them.
1. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due- From the opening solo, you can tell that you are listening to the work of a great guitarist(s). Lyrics continue Peace Sells's political agenda. And then go into a different song about superheroes. Brilliant! 10/10
2. Hangar 18- James Bond-ish opening. Based On Call of Ktulu. Possibly the most famous track from this album. Goes into conspiracy theory about aliens and stuff. The ending solo has a little duel going on between Mustaine and Friedman (i.e. one plays a small crazy sub-solo, drum interlude and them the other plays and it continues like that for a while) the most technically accomplished solo on this album (or possibly ever)by far. 11/10
3. Take No Prisoners- More political stuff. I think you can tell by the title as you did in Holy Wars. Solo was not that much of a standout (especially after Hangar 18) but still good. The best part is the ending chant. 9/10
4. Five Magics- This is the "Dungeons and Dragons" song on this album. Cool opening and tis almost as moody as KIMB's Looking Down The Cross. Cool lyrics and good guitar work. But not as good as the opening two tracks. Still, its almost epic. 10/10
5. Poison Was The Cure - Another cool opening. This one is more of a jumble of words with a nifty little solo. I can swear i heard "Set Fire To Metallica" somewhere in the track. Not very long but adds mood to the album. Would be a 9 if it was longer and had a longer solo. 8/10
6. Lucretia- Good grove to the track. Cool lyrics and vocal performance by mustaine. Guitar work was not very standout on this one though. But it does add a bit of a groovy feel to the album. Not the best track but still awesome. 8/10
7. Tornado Of Souls- This is my personal favorite track from the album. I love the lyrics and guitar work. But the part that does it for me is the crazy solo. It is one of the most underappreciated solos i have ever heard. It sounds almost like the Hotel California solo. While it is not as complex muscially as Hangar 18, it sounds much cooler since it is slower and you can actually hear each separate note. Killer Track. I can listen to it for hours 12/10.
8. Dawn Patrol- Just a bassline with Mustaine rapping about the environment in a fake british accent. Metallica stole the baseline in its "God That Failed". Not the best track, but it doesnt last too long fortunately. Seems more like a prelude to the end track. 7/10
9. Rust In Peace... Polaris- Lots of good vocal work. Lyrically, this is my favorite track. They even have vic doing the deep voice which is really cool. it has a bit of a feel like the "Bohemian Rhapsody" operatic part, except with much less clean vocals. Good guitar work though no standout solo. But the lyrics and vocal performance of mustaine save it from extinction. Killer Track. Ends too fast. Awesome end chant. 10/10
In Short. Kill 'em All Popularized Thrash. Peace Sells Revolutionized Thash. Rust In Peace Perfected Thrash.
Free Music Review: A Prog-Thrash metal classic
Hit: 5 Stars
To date, this is Megadeth's most musically advanced and progressive album. It is definitely up for consideration as one of the heavy metal classics in their catalog, and for good reason. Unlike other Megadeth albums, the non-remastered "Rust In Peace" sounds quite clear and punchy, dispensing with the drum-gating and massive use of effects that (thankfully) were starting to disappear around this time. Clearly, the Mustaine/Ellefson/Friedman/Menza lineup is the most technically refined Megadeth lineup to this point.
Forget the AOR antics Megadeth would later fall prey to - this album is meant to be played from beginning to end. Musically, it contains some of Megadeth's best moments, particularly on the relentless Holy Wars, which right away goes into a fast shred-fest with Menza's rifle-like drumming holding everything together perfectly. The album from there takes you on a roller-coaster varying between an assault of impossibly fast and precise guitar playing and pure aggression to grinding power-metal anthems like few other heavy metal records successfully manage to do. It seems like on this record, Megadeth get that combination just right.
This period marks sort of the beginning of a turning point for Megadeth between that of a pure thrash metal outfit to a more sophisticated and intricate sound. It is reported that it was around this period that Mustaine kicked his drug habit. Hearing the result, it's easy to believe. While Mustaine still sounds angry and raw, he is also much more refined and sounds like he can approximate singing when he wishes to. Lyrically, you won't find any of the adolescent antics that were all over So Far... So Good... So What in songs like "502" and "Liar!". Megadeth has come of age.
If you have to have just one Megadeth album, in my opinion, this one is it.
Some people like to see track-by-track breakdowns. For them, here you are:
The self-important rating system -
5 = Good enough to remove the record from the sleeve and onto the turntable
4 = Good enough to place the needle on this track if the record happens to be on the turntable already
3 = Respectable Filler
2 = Will lift the needle to the next track to skip this one.
1 = Time for a lively game of frisbee.
(rating)/bpm/key
1) Holy Wars(4)/174/E - A fast, pounding prog-thrash overture that immediately displays the incredible virtuoso musicianship of the Mustaine/Ellefson/Friedman/Menza lineup.
2) Hangar 18(5)/156/D - Immediately starts off with a straightforward metal beat. Frontman Mustaine rarely has so perfectly straddled the line between the old angry Mustaine and the new singing Mustaine to create the needed edge to the song. The 2nd half goes into a shred-fest with Friedman and Mustaine trading guitar solos.
3) Take No Prisoners(4)/288/G - Relentless call and response thrash - "Take no Prisoners.... Cremate them..." You can see the mosh-pit going out of control. Unlike most thrash metal around this period, however, this band redefines precision. The drums are recorded completely dry, and they sound like rifles in perfect unison with Ellefson's bass work.
4) Five Magics(4)/138/E - Starts off with a relatively slow dissonant riff that slowly builds momentum as the guitars kick in gradually. Culminates in an evil sounding Mustaine with voice tripled chanting "Five Magics...."
5) Poison was the Cure(4)/138/A# - One of few songs that could have fit with the set on Peace Sells - fast and short at 2:55 - under scaling guitars and Mustaine's droning vocals.
6) Lucretia(4)/96/G - Slows it down to a Zeppelin style beat with guitars/bass scaling up and down.
7) Tornado of Souls(5)/192/ - Most straightforward track on the record - contains one of the more memorable Megadeth riffs and has a hook.
8) Dawn Patrol(3)/78/E - The only throwaway track on the album, sort of a plodding bass/drum track with Mustaine talking some incomprehensible rubbish over the top. Really more of an interlude at 1:46.
9) Rust In Piece...Polaris(4)/162/F# - Starts out with a 3/4 grind and ends with a nimble and fast jam that shows off Menza's drumming prowess.
Free Music Review: MY RUST IN PEACE REVIEW
Hit: 5 Stars
First let's see if you want to buy a Megadeth album. Megadeth was one of the first thrash metal bands, along with Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica. All four of these bands released their debuts at about the same time and all of them sort of had the same fast, light, thrash metal sound (Megadeth made Killing is my Business). After these first four albums the bands each found their own sounds. Then Dave Mustaine, the leader of Megadeth, went on to make peace sells, and so for so good so what, and, this bvery album, Rust in Peace.
I recomend this album to anyone that's a fan of any other Megadeth, except if you only like Risk (and no other megadeth) then you might not like this album. But anyway, anyone who likes Slayer, Anthrax, Metallica, Pantera, Death, Sepultura, Judas Priest, etc. etc. (basically anoyne who is into classic metal) will love this album.
If you want to get into Megadeth because you heard its good or for any other reason, then this is the album to buy. If you can't get this then Killing is My Businness or Cryptic writing is good. But this album, Rust in Peace, shows everything that Megadeth is made of, and if you don't like it, you probably won't like any other Megadeth album. This is always the album I recomend for my friends to get first if they want to get into Megadeth.
I only give 5 stars to the Bands best CD, like Slayer's Reign in Blood, and this is Megadeth's best. It is very fast like the first three CDs, and not like when Megadeth slows down in everything after Countdown to Extinction (even though they are slow, they are still awsome, BUT no AS good as the first 4 albums).The most talent goes into this album, and it influences MANY thrash metal bands to come. Even though my favorite Megadeth album is Killing is My Business, this is the best.
Every song on this CD is awsome, including two of the best Megadeth songs ever written Holy Wars and Hanger 18, except for Dawn Patrol. That, im sorry to say, is the one weakness of this album. Megadeth brings amazing riffs and solos to every song. It's definetly a clasic in the history of Metal.
Now the question comes whether to buy the old CD or this new remastered one. I've read the reviews that say that Dave messes up the vocals on this one and it makes it sound a lot worse. Even though Dave DOES change some lyrics, who cares? These people are complaining about him CHANGING the lyrics. But they don't understand that the are JUST AS GOOD. And it's only for one or two songs anyway. About him changing his voice a little bit, yeah it's true, but I personally think it sounds better than the original, and without a doubt the guitar and drums sound way better. So I say definetly go for this album. Everything is clearer, and it's the way Dave Mustaine really wanted it. Also the packet is way cooler than the old one. You are not missing out on anyhting if you dont have the old one, dont worry.
I'm really sick of poeple saying "this is a MUST GET" for every dam album I look at, so I dont say that on my reviews except for the ones that I really think are a MUST HAVE for a metal colection. So trust me here when I say that this album is a MUST GET for your collection if you are a fan of metal or want to get into metal.
Hmmm if I wanted to compare it to another album, probably Ride the Lightning by Metallica. But it's realy hard to compare beacuse Megadeth brings it's own sound into the Metal World. A really cool thing about Megadeth is that usually Metal bands have awsome guitar, drums, bass, and vocals, BUT the lyrics aren't always that great. Megadeth, though, is one of the few bands in the metal Genre that has truelly good lyrics. Megadeth has won awards over the years for its lyrics, just in case ya don't believe me about that.
I will conclude with a few words of wisdom that I leave on most of my reviews and that is to NOT BUY THE BEST OF BEFORE YOU BUY THE ALBUMS. Especially not for Mgadeth. The best of has pretty bad songs on it. So again if you're starting out with Megadeth, this is the CD to buy, and if you want to continue your collection of Megadeth and you don't know which to buy, This is it. I promise.