Title: Killing is My Business... And Business is Good
Label: Loud Records
Release Date: 1985
Rating: 3 Skulls
Title: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Label: Capitol Records
Release Date: 1986
Rating: 5 Skulls
Artist: Megadeth
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Title: Killing is My Business... And Business is Good Label: Loud Records Release Date: 1985
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Title: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? Label: Capitol Records Release Date: 1986
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Solomon's Review:
Killing was the debut for Mustaine's new group after his not-so-friendly departure from Metallica in 1983. The first in a series of obsessions with elipses (...), Killing is a raw, raucous, dirty little platter that has a "fuck it, just hit it" vibe all the way through. In fact, this record can be compared to Kill 'Em All in a sense that this represented a young band still getting its feet wet. There is little subtlety to be found on Killing, save for a very Randy Rhoads-inspired and very useless intro to "Loved To Deth." The material is very straight-up speed metal in a Venom/Motorhead kind of way.Some may swear by this stuff, but I think this is probably Megadeth's weakest effort. Considering this is the band's first recording, it's not such a big deal. It just makes Megadeth's subsequent work look that much better. Killing lays down the groundwork for future records, introducing the listener to the band's basic sound and style which would continue on Peace Sells..., not to mention the famed Mustaine sneer. Most of the songs here are not primo Megadeth, but they do show the band's capacity for velocity and chops (the solo to "Mechanix" verifies this). A couple of high points for me are the title track, which opens with a very articulate, upbeat, and original guitar riff, and "Looking Down The Cross" has a groovy, 70's vibe to it that almost reminds me of early Def Leppard, er, something. In fact, aside from a few sinister-sounding titles, Killing actually has a bit of a party atmosphere to it. Of course, there's the controversial "Mechanix." I know Mustaine gets partial credit for writing "The Four Horsemen," but I don't see how he legally got away with this. Maybe this is an attempt to reclaim stolen property. Maybe it's meant as a rub against his former bandmates, but Metallica's take on this tune snuffs this version, hands down. Killing is not the greatest Megadeth record, but it is a decent taste of things to come.
Killing...:
Death's Review:
This is undoubtedly one of the best metal albums of all time, and arguably better than the highly acclaimed Rust in Peace which followed two records later. The is pure, unadulterated Megadeth and the final studio effort featuring the classic Megadeth lineup of the Chris Poland on guitar and the dearly departed Gar Samuelson on drums, together of course with the two Daves. My first memories are of hearing the relatively accessible "Peace Sells" track on a pre-release Combat Records compilation, and getting really psyched for the album, only to be absolutely blown away with the rest of the album when I finally heard it.Peace Sells is progressive, inventive, aggressive and catchy. There is a certain depth to the tracks that upon first listens took me time to absorb and yet there is a distinct tightness and musical dexterity that had an immediate impact from the very first listen. The grooves are such that you can't help but bang your head, yet the changes are complex enough to reveal new twists with repeated listens. All in all, the fact that this album set a new high water mark for heavy metal is undeniable, with the fact that it was released so close to the Metallica masterpiece Master of Puppets the only thing keeping this from garnering even greater raves, such as album of the 1980's or whatnot. Peace Sells is truly that good.
Right from the get-go, the album kicks off with the classic "Wake Up Dead." Fun lyrics give way to the stomping last half (a precursor of sort to "Holy Wars"?) with one of metal's most memorable riffs and some classic solos to boot. And who could forget that video (which MTV actually played) of the kids climbing the cage surrounding the band as it played the tune? Great stuff. "The Conjuring," which follows, is a occultish ode which pummels at the ears and attacks with such awesome riffing, drumming and overall aggressiveness that it has to be one of my favorite tracks of all time. And trust me-- after seeing this live on the 2001 tour--there is not much more fun in this world of metal than yelling "Obey!" in time with the track. Killer.
"Peace Sells" is another classic track, the "single," the first video, and for a long time (perhaps still) Megadeth's most well-known and memorable anthem. "Can you put a price on peace?" Sure--$9.75. Just kidding. Great song, cool Ellefson bass to start, and one of the songs that made Megadeth famous and (for a while) gave them a "political" reputation which culminated with Mustaine acting as a correspondent at the Democratic National Convention for MTV News. The last track on "side one" is "Devil's Island," another fun riff, with great Mustaine rapid-fire vocals and wonderful guitar solos. Another song that was played live on the 2001 tour and an absolutely outstanding track.
Side two only gets better. If I could have a single request granted the next time I see Megadeth, it is a toss-up between "Take No Prisoners" from Rust or "Good Mourning/Black Friday," which kicks off side two of Peace Sells. "Good Mourning" being a guitar feast and "Black Friday" being a nice, devil-centric and thrashy track. Very cool. "Bad Omen" and "My Last Words" also very much rule and are lost Megadeth classics, while the bluesy "I Ain't Superstitious" is cool but it is a cover. Still, every song on this album has value, and most are some of the greatest examples of thrash/speed metal ever written. So do yourself a favor: if you call yourself a metalhead and have not heard this record, buy it today. You surely will not be disappointed.
Peace Sells...:
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