Megadeth - Rust In Peace
The Scene
Around the close of the 80's, Megadeth was in turmoil. The band had just come off its least successful record to date, 1988's disappointing So Far, So Good, So What? On top of that, Mustaine had fired lead guitarist Jeff Young and drummer Chuck Behler. Any lesser band may have packed it in, but not Megadeth. Recruiting lead guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza, Megadeth bounced back, and how. Not only did they release the best album of their career, they also released one of the most enduring thrash classics of all time.
The Cast
Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals) - Dave is back in the best form of his career, as this album is full the the hilt with insanely precise picking and devastating riffing. He also shows his talent as a lead guitarist, most notably the closing solo on Holy Wars and in the guitar battle vs Marty Friedman in Hangar 18. His trademark snarl has become more bearable, yet still retaining all the venom it ever had.
Marty Friedman (lead guitars) - Friedman had already established himself as a shredder of phenomenal capabilities during his stint with Cacophony (with Jason Becker) and various solo albums. His weird, advanced and almost atonal soloing lends a more technical feel to the album. Rather than just stick to pentatonic noodling, Friedman incorporated Middle Eastern and Oriental influences into his playing, adding a strange character to his sound.
Dave Ellefson (bass) - Dave Jr seems more content to lay back and let Mustaine and Friedman most of the attacking, locking in tightly with Mustaine and Nick Menza to create a tight, powerful rhythm section.
Nick Menza (drums) - Nick Menza's drumming is done tastefully and with extreme precision, lending a tightness to the album. He is also not afraid to do more than just keep the beat, interspersing fills, double bass and unconventional beats throughout.
Choice Cuts
Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due - Six and a half minutes of savage riffing delivered with deadly precision. An excellent nylon-string solo from Freidman closes Holy Wars. The Punishment Due begins with a bludgeoning mid-tempo riff, with two great solos from Friedman. The tempo picks up later and the mood intensifies, climaxing with a solo from Mustaine, then closing with a violent double-time section.
Hangar 18 - This cut features the best lead playing on the album, before morphing into a guitar battle between Friedman and Mustaine about midway through. Also features a riff similar to one used in Metallica's The Call Of Ktulu, a song co-written by Mustaine.
Five Magics - Beginning with an ominous bassline that is eventually doubled by the guitars, the track kicks off with a galloping rhythm and excellent lead work, before descending into a violent 5/8 passage with some demented lead work from Friedman. This track closes violently with another solo.
Poison Was The Cure - The shortest, fastest and most demented cut on the disc. After the bass intro has finished, the song starts off with a murderous riff that sounds like something you'd hear out of bluegrass. Excellent double bass work from Menza.
Tornado Of Souls - Contains some of the most precise riffing, along with a long melodic solo from Friedman.
Rust In Peace ... Polaris - A bludgeoning mid-tempo number morphing into technical riffing accented by a nice inventive drum line.
Pros
- Extremely tight and precise riffing
- Stellar lead work
- Excellent and intricate instrumental sections
- Improved vocals over previous releases
Cons
- Production seems a little flat
- Mustaine's voice is definately an acquired taste
Closing comments
Megadeth's finest hour, and one of the best thrash albums to date. Definitely worth your time.
5/5
