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

MEGADETH — Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? album cover Album · 1986 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? is the 2nd full-length studio album by American thrash metal act Megadeth. The album was released in July 1986 by Capitol Records. The lineup is the same as the lineup that recorded "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)". Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? was the album that really put Megadeth on the map and made sure that they are generally considered one of the greatest thrash metal acts on the scene. The colourful cartoonish looking Edward J. Repka cover artwork probably made the impact even grander.

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 have contained various types of bonus material. Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? has seen various reissues through the years but since the remixed and remastered version was released in 2004, the original version has been out of print.

The music on the album is thrash metal with a melodic edge. Dave Mustaine´s attitude filled sneer is 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. Personally I find the songwriting a bit inconsistent and especially "Devil's Island" and the Willie Dixon cover track "I Ain't Superstitious" don´t do much for me. 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" or 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 with the sound that prevents me from calling it really good.

There is no doubt that Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? is an essential listen to thrash metal fans and the album is by many deservedly called a "classic" 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 rating is deserved.
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The Angry Scotsman wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Only flaws for me are the less than stellar production (but don't really care) and Dave's always difficult voice lol besides that I LOVE this album!
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Classic album, with flaws :-)
The Angry Scotsman wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Classic album!

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