The Megadeth Reissues - All 8 Albums Reviewed
Published August 08, 2004
When Pete Best got kicked out of The Beatles, he saw it as an opportunity for to scratch his arse for a few decades, giving an interview to Mojo every now and again.
When Dave Mustaine got kicked out of Metallica, he went ahead and formed one of the most consistently innovative metal bands ever to stand at the front of a stage making scary faces and thrusting guitars suggestively.
One of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands of the 1980's, alongside Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica, Megadeth produced among the best examples of the genre. They also produced some shit, but most of that came later.
EMI have just reissued seven of the band's albums, alongside side-project MD-45's underrated The Craving. These releases are complimented by a handful (rather than the "sackful" claimed by the label) of bonus tracks, and each record has been personally remastered by Dave Mustaine himself. Mustaine also provides the liner notes and so on, and Risk has finally been blessed with a decent cover.
So, then, allow The Duke to run through each of the records in question, in chronological order, and to relate the tale of Megadeth On Record, a tale what begins with furious intent and eventually dips dramatically in the direction of generic wank.
Peace Sells… But Who's Buying? (1986)
Peace Sells, the bands second record, arriving a year after the Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good debut, opens with a howl of raging, screeching guitars and sneering, bitter vocals, and the pace rarely lets up for much of the ensuing 35 minutes or so. It's as indebted to Motorhead as it is to anything what might be termed "Thrash", and remains an idiosyncratic, unique work.
The number of bands who owe their careers to Peace Sells is unfathomable, and yet, whilst it may be nothing but a motherfucking act of cliché-slinging abandon for to suggest, it has rarely been equalled. Anyone can play shit quickly. Where Megadeth earn the extra points, ratings, stars, accolades, is with regards how memorable these eight tracks are, how much of an impression they make, even now.
As is the trend for this kind of re-issue carry-on, it's the earlier material what benefits most. Peace Sells sounds crystal clear, every saliva-drenched, sarcastic remark and gut-rumbling chord arriving with a rejuvenated sparkle what enhances the material without taking away the ruggedness on display.
The title track is a prime example of the cynical wit Mustaine has nurtured for much of the last two decades. "What do you mean I don't support your system?", he scowls. "I go to court when I have to."
It's an intelligent number, is what, a protest anthem with an articulated anger beyond most of their peers.
"If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line.
But it better work this time."
Listening back to this stuff now, with the benefit of hindsight and the standards adopted since the shift towards a more introspective, more openly emotive rock template, it's amazing how little one has to work for to appreciate this. There's no need for irony, or to go along the lines of "Well, it was good for its day" or that kinda shit. This is a staggeringly confident, often breathtaking record.
The Duke (Aaron McMullan to his parents and the clergy) is a Northern Irish writer, performer and insomniac currently residing in London. He is the creator of Mondo Irlando, wherein his scribblings and hollerings can be found. He is currently working towards the completion of his first novel, and his debut "punk / country / folk / whatever" album has recently been released by Ex Libris Records . You can also pop by His MySpace Page and maybe have a coffee and a biscuit.
- The Megadeth Reissues - All 8 Albums Reviewed
- Published: August 08, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Writer: Duke De Mondo
- Duke De Mondo's BC Writer page
- Duke De Mondo's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Tom, thanks loads for the info!
I tried to talk as much as possible about the remastering, but you now how it is when you've got 8 records for to write about! Your input is really, really appreciated.
I've been hearing good things about the later record you mention, The World Needs A Hero, and apparently the upcoming The System Has Failed is great too. Who knows? I'll seek out the original MD 45, based purely on your reccomendation, and also, obviously, the fact that i loved this version.
Again, thank you.
Duke, the little teasers of The System Has Failed that I've heard (via mp3s posted by Mustaine at Megadeth.com - you can also hear "Die Dead Enough" as an e-card at the site now) indicate it's going to be a great album, covering pretty much everything the band has done so far, but with a lot more fast Rust In Peace-era riffing.
2004's been an incredible year for metal . . . and it's only a little over half-finished!
I saw a set of all eight albums (pre-release) for sale for $45 at the local, monthly record show. I was tempted, but didn't have the cash on me. If thats there next month, I'm totally picking it up.
theory, i'd say thats quite the bargain. I could live without the last three megadeth releases, but still, 45 quid is a fine price. The others are all fantastic, and sound great.
yo u all dont like criptic ritings u can suk mi dik bcuz its da shit just like all their other albums
by the way probly 1 of the most crucial Megadeth songs eveer is RATTLEHEAD i looooooooove killing is my business it kicks so much ass!!!!!!peace n anal grease
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/18412)
Cool, Duke! I was hoping to see your take on these sometime soon. One big thing that needs to be addressed is that these are not simple remasters - they are remixes from the ground up. Each album was mixed as if it was brand new, with Mustaine going back to the originally recorded master takes of each instrument and mixing it to remove the really sadly dated effects the producers back in the day added to make it sound so "modern." What we get to hear now is about as close to the natural sounds of the instruments and vocals as you'll ever hear coming out of a major label studio effort. It's also interesting to note that Mustaine re-recorded the vocals for Rust In Peace's "Take No Prisoners," which has had some fans up in arms over on the Megadeth fan forums. Me? I don't care - it sounds amazing and if you'd never heard the original, you'd never know the difference (and might not know the difference, period.)
I picked these all up the week of release and each one has had quite a bit of rotation since then, but like you suggest, it's those later ones that just don't call me back as often. I have to say, however, that when I put Cryptic Writings on, I was STUNNED at how much better that album was than I'd remembered it being, It's been a while since I'd heard it, actually, having sacrificed it to the used-CD gods for other "necessary" stuff that I probably also sacrificed someday later on, but I immediately noticed, and thanked Mustaine in my thoughts, for removing the really cheesy vibrato-guitar from the chorus of "Almost Honest," like the live version found on Rude Awakening. (Yes, I'm not ashamed, I actually do love that song, and actually much of the whole album.)
Even Risk has turned out to be pretty fun listening - as long as I don't expect it to sound like Megadeth. Mustaine's liner notes about the time really go along way to excusing the changes - afterall, having the label, the producer, AND rest of the band leaning on you to produce a commercial hit can likely lead to a little loss of dignity. Happily, the follow up, on Sanctuary records, The World Needs A Hero is a return to the post-Countdown, pre-Risk era, with a little of the frantic power of the earlier four thrown in for good measure (except "Moto-Psycho" - seriously, was this a Risk leftover?)
The original MD.45 is worth seeking out - the differences are not just in the vocals. But Ving's vocals are also kind of fun, kind of choked and deeper than Mustaine's, giving the album a more punk feel than the new remix. I think you can likely track down a copy in a used shop - I see them all the time - or on something like half.com or Amazon. It's worth owning if you enjoy the new one so much.