MEGADETH — Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (review)

MEGADETH — Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? album cover

Album · 1986 · Thrash Metal

4/5 · 2024-05-15
UMUR

"Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" is the second full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Megadeth. The album was released through Capitol Records in July 1986. It´s the successor to "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" from June 1985. The lineup is the same as the lineup who recorded "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!", despite cracks in the foundation caused by alcohol/drug abuse and personal differences. While "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" certainly gave Megadeth a name, it was "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", which made them one of the greatest thrash metal acts on the contemporary scene. The colourful cartoonish looking Edward J. Repka cover artwork is legendary and was a real eye catcher when the album was released. One should not underestimate the importance of cover artwork on heavy metal albums.

The original version of the album contains 8 tracks and a full playing time of 36:16 minutes and while that may not seem like much I´d take quality over quantity any day. Most later reissues feature various types of bonus material. "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" has seen several reissues through the years but since the remixed and remastered version was released in 2004, the original version has been out of print. it´s of course a subjective opinion, but I´d get the orginal version over the remaster anyday. THe remastered version may feature a more fat and heavy tone, but I´m not a fan of changing the dynamics of a mix as much as they´ve done here.

The music on the album is thrash metal with a melodic edge. Dave Mustaine´s attitude filled snarling vocals are definitely an aquired taste, but I´ve never had any problems with his voice on the band´s studio recordings (as opposed to how terrible they usually sound live). The band are very well playing and especially the guitar solos really impress. Melodic shred fests of a high quality and entertainment level. There are a few less remarkable tracks on the album and especially the Willie Dixon cover track "I Ain't Superstitious" disrupts the flow of the album, and it´s simply a sub par track. On the other hand there are strong tracks on the album too like the opening trio of tracks, "Wake Up Dead", "The Conjuring" and "Peace Sells" and tracks like "Good Mourning/Black Friday" and "Bad Omen".

The production is professional and for the time pretty powerful. It´s still very obviously an eighties sound production and there are some minor issues here and there, but overall the sound production suits the material well. And this is of course the original mix I´m talking about. I´ve already spoken of the remaster above.

"Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" is arguably an essential listen for thrash metal fans and the album is by many deservedly called a "classic/seminal" thrash metal album. I still think the band needed to mature a bit more (and lay off the booze and the drugs) before they released their best albums, but "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" is definitely an album worth a listen. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.