Review Summary: Megadeth successfully complete one of the greatest metal albums in history.
The 1980’s and 90’s was a period of time that changed the face of music. A new style of metal broke through the ranks; one that was faster and heavier than ever before. It was called thrash. Megadeth released an album in 1990,
Rust in Peace and it was this record that shaped the entire music industry and the way metal is experienced and written today. They did this by releasing a near-perfect piece of artwork, something that’s never been done before in the same vein of
Rust In Peace.
Rust in Peace is chiefly a definition of thrash metal: faster and heavier than the rest. The swift guitar riffs, the rapid drumming, the subtle yet harmonious bass-line, and the refined vocals performed by Mustaine all add up to craft one of the best albums of the 20th century. Some of the soloing by guitar extraordinaire Marty Friedman is out-of-this-world. Insanely fast riffs layered with brief melodies outline the atmosphere of ‘Rust in Peace.’ “Lucretia,” exemplifies all of the characteristics that you could find in a typical Megadeth song; insane riffs leading onto extreme soloing. The guitar-work at the end of the song “Lucretia,” is nothing less than magnificent. Many songs contain lengthy solos, but most of these are pieces of work that even the strictest music critic couldn’t censure. One of the most extreme songs on
Rust In Peace from a heaviness perspective is “Poison Was the Cure.” Even the drowsiest human on the planet would be aroused by the brutal phrases that occur during the song and would be unable to resist a little fist-pumping. Unbelievable soloing ensues at the end of the track, and it leaves listeners wondering: How the hell can you play the guitar like that? Simple. Mustaine and Friedman are geniuses, and together they created one of the most influential metal albums of all time.
The guitar tone used by Friedman and Mustaine are much weaker than you would find on a typical
Metallica track, yet this use of the guitars certainly works with the rest of the band more than it doesn’t. The extremely thrashy riffs written mainly by Megadeth main man, Mustaine, are better than ever before, and the refrains that are conspired by awesome song-writing work tremendously well with the scrawnier tone that is used throughout
Rust in Peace.
The vocals that transpire during the course of
Rust in Peace are both good and bad. At times the technique that Mustaine uses to sing is painful to the ears, and clashes horribly with the guitar. This is best heard in “Take No Prisoners.” When the song is coming to a close, the vocals are really mediocre, and don’t co-operate with the rest of the band at all. That being said, this particular record contains some of Mustaine’s best singing, where he helps certain songs rise well-above the barline. “Rust in Peace…Polaris,” comprises of some of metals greatest vocal attempts, where Dave thrusts an already brilliant song to the next to level. His most compassionate vocal endeavor on the album is “Hangar 18,” where his chilling singing enhances the atmosphere that the often duelling guitars create. Backing vocals are scarce, yet when heard they complement Mustaine’s singing much like bread and butter.
Overall, Megadeth produce one of the centuries most successful metal albums.
Rust in Peace over-shadows nearly every other thrash release, making them look puny in comparison to the giant that is this record. It’s not often that a band releases a near perfect album, but surprisingly enough Megadeth have achieved exactly that. From the absolutely vicious guitar riffs laid down by Friedman and Mustaine, to the drums and bass pounding away in the background, this is, and most likely always will be, one of the greatest metal albums to be let loose to the public at large.
Recommended Tracks
Hangar 18
Poison Was the Cure
Tornado of Souls
Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.
