Megadeth - Rust in Peace

The warheads will all rock in peace!

Rust in Peace is considered by most Megadeth fans to be one of their best albums of all time, and considered to be one of the best metal albums of all time. It might take a couple of listens, but you'll find yourself loving this album if you're a Megadeth fan. It should be noted that Mustaine has an... odd voice. Some like it, some hate it, that can't be helped. But the instruments are amazing.

Holy Wars... The Punishment Due: It's two songs, sort of. The first part is Holy Wars which, well, is about holy wars while The Punishment Due is about the comic book The Punisher. The song is a a fast hard-hitting intro the this album. The acoustic bridge sounds great for some reason, probably because lead guitarist Marty Friedman incorporates many Arabic and Eastern scales into his music. 10/10

Hangar 18: This song might as well be instrumental, but it's a damn good one. The lyrics (however few they may be) are about a supposed military hangar, Hangar 18, where the Air Force supposedly stored a crashed UFO and its extraterrestrial pilots. Tin foil hat or not, the song is notable for its myriad of solos that are technical and sexy. All sorts of great riffs and solos throughout this song. 10/10

Take no Prisoners: It's about prisoners of war and war in general. I don't particularly like it too much, but it's got good main riffs. Not much to say, I've always seen it as the odd one out. 7/10

Five Magics: Fast at first, then suddenly a cool bass interlude leading into some medium-pace guitar. Then Mustaine starts singing, with various little solos between the verses. The song is fast and technical, the solos are blaring, the drums are heavy. Sort of reminds of me Holy Wars for some reason. 9/10

Poison Was the Cure: Starting off with a slow but catchy bass line, the guitar then comes in. After a quick drum breakdown, the fast guitar work gets going. A short but sweet song. 10/10

Lucretia: A somewhat jazzy main riff to this in all honesty. That's a good thing, the whole song sounds good. The solos are nice, although not quite as fast as the next song's. 9/10

Tornado of Souls: By far my favorite song from the album. The main riff, the intro, the bridges, they're all so good. But the best part is the minute-long solo by the great Marty Friedman. It's not necessarily the fastest, but it is by far one of if not the best sounding solo on the album. Every time I hear it I just have to whip out my miniature air guitar... it's amazing. 10/10

Dawn Patrol: The bass line is catchy (like Poison Was The Cure's) but it's a kinda boring song. Yawn Patrol? 6/10

Rust in Peace... Polaris: Underrated. The drum intro sounds tribal, and the song is simply angry. It conveys the idea of a nuclear warhead that knows its destructive power pretty well, because it's just so damn heavy. Then you get Polaris, which is essentially a long solo. Great closer. 9/10

If you're trying to get into Megadeth, I'd probably recommend their Greatest Hits album simply because it gives you a taste of all their years. If you liked that, or if you want to get into "the good stuff" right away, then by all means get this album. It does not relent, it does not give up its thrash metal assault until it's left you on the ground begging for mercy from the great solos. July 2, 2008

Five Star album... Four Star Re-recording...

Definitely one of the best Metal albums of all time, and I mean it... Dave Mustaine wrote the book on how to make Metal and Thrash in particular into something more. Let alone is one of the best and most respected guitar players in the metal community. Definitely one of my biggest influences as a guitar player and Dave Ellefson being one of my biggest influences as a bass player as well, his tone stands alone "Poison was the Cure" is just so damn fun to play. I would say that the re-recorded vocals aren't as apparent here as they are on Peace Sells, but really noticeable on songs like "Five Magics" which also changed one of my favorite parts, when the monster guy starts singing after Mustaine "Thigh Master, Magic thighs!!!"... You know what I mean... My whole take on remastering is very subjective... I figure what made certain songs so great wasn't just the instruments being played the way they were played, but also how they were layed out on tape and presented to us, captured in time, bands like AC/DC and Megadeth didn't need to do this, and re-recording songs the way Ozzy and Megadeth have done have only miscalibrated the magic found on these records. This record, in my opinion was absolutely flawless the way it was, MEGADETH will always be one of my favorite bands and I will always support them. Besides, they have redeamed themselves quite a bit with the release of the Warchest box set, which is a must for any fan, the live album and DVD are a couple of real treasures... check that out instead. March 29, 2008

They just don't make 'em like they used to!!!

RIP is an absolute, all out guitar factory!!! There are so many precise riffs on this album that I am still amazed when I hear it after all these years. Nick's drums are forboding sonic asault! He is one of the most entertaining drummers to watch live. It's almost like he hates the drums and wants to destroy them. Even the base lines are incredible as are the several base leads and intros. This is by far the best effort from Megadeth and certainly one of the best metal albums of all time. If all albums were created like this one, I'd have been deaf a long time ago. Buy it!!! Do it! Do it now!!!! Stop reading and buy the @%^& album!!! March 19, 2008

Their best work ever.

The title says it all, if you are interested in Megadeth, this is the pinnacle of their body of work. If you are a Megadeth fan and do not own this album, then you need to review your "fan" status. The band was at their technical and production peaks with Rust. The previous albums are more gritty sounding and unrefined and Megadeth's later albums are almost overproduced and the songs were radio length. Rust in Peace was a full blast thrash ride into head banger mania. A must for any metal fan. March 11, 2008

Amazing piece of work

If anything, you should get this cd BECAUSE of "Holy Wars-Punishment is Due and Rust in Piece". Holy Wars is a BLISTERING opening track that is brutal as it is intelligent. For those who know me and my reviews (especially family) know that I try to say my piece (peace) with intelligence. Well Mustaine, Elfson, Friedman and Menza have put out a metal masterpiece. We know the history of Mustaine & Elfson. Friedman & Menza are the SECOND best line-up for the 'deth (Poland and GAR RULE!). Swift and on point drumming by Menza who kept the music flowing PERFECTLY! Marty is an amazing soloist. Beyond Mustain's growling and Elfson's thundering, Menza and Friedman held it DOWN on this CLASSIC piece of music.

BROOKLYN S T A N D U P
COOPER PARK, BABY!
50 Debevoise December 5, 2007

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