Megadeth - Rust In Peace (1990)

Out of all the 14 Megadeth albums in their discography, this particular album released in 1990 is the most critically acclaimed one, often mentioned when one discusses over which album is the best one ever released. And I totally understand why it is so. Ever since I first heard the whole album, around the time it was released in Rock Band as DLC, I was hooked with those fast guitars, the endless amount of solos and the insane bass lines. It was a blast to play these songs, but even more fun to listen to them.

So I am already well known with "Rust In Peace" before this review, so I am mostly going with what it was like the first time I heard it. And to be honest, it was the same feeling that I still have over this album, that it is a thrash masterpiece. The band has written 9 + 1 killer songs that takes up various discussions in the lyrics, such as religious wars, alien life forms, nuclear warfare, and more. Dave Mustaine and co. has really stepped up their game after the half experimental "So Far, So Good... So What!".

We got two new additions to the band in this album, two members that would put a huge mark on the band forever. Guitarist Marty Friedmann and drummer Nick Menza joined the band after Mustaine fired Jeff Young and Chuck Behler, and to say that they made a mark on "Rust In Peace" is more or less an understatement. Menza's drum beats contains a power that is almost unstoppable, giving the songs bigger playroom, while Friedmann comes in as the perfect playmate for Mustaine, matching him in both riffs and solos.

And believe me when I say that there are a lot of riffs and solos in this album. In "Hangar 18" itself, I count up to a total of 11 solos in this 5 minute song, but then again, this song has very little singing in it, almost making it an instrumental track. The guitar attacks keeps on coming in several other songs. Just listen to the great trademark Megadeth riffing in the start of "Take No Prisoners", the frenetic finish in "Five Magics", the catchy groove in "Tornado of Souls", and the steady march in "Rust In Peace... Polaris". But the biggest assault comes in the beginning with the classic track "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", a amazing track about the religious conflict in Northern Ireland that mixes frenetic riffing with slower, darker melody loops, making the song look like the Batman villain Two-Face. A very versatile track that should not be missed up on by any metal fan in the world.

But "Rust In Peace" is of course more than a big riff off between Mustaine and Friedmann, Ellefson also gets his share of the spotlight with his fantastic bass lines. He especially takes the centre stage in the slow and dark "Dawn Patrol", the first Megadeth song that does not contain any guitars. Yes, you read that right, no guitars at all. Feels weird to hear a Megadeth song without any six strings, but it helps to bring some diversity to the album. Ellefson also shines with a insane lick in "Take No Prisoners".

This album finished the process of making Megadeth a world class band, mixing amazing song writing with impeccable performance. "Rust In Peace" does not contain a single weak track, not even the bonus track "My Creation" fails to impress me. Mustaine has finally found a good, stable line-up that is ready to keep the Megadeth legacy at its top. A real thrash master piece that also aspires to be the absolute best album ever created in all of metal.

Songs worthy of recognition: Holy Wars... The Punishment Due, Hangar 18, Five Magics, Tornado of Souls, Rust In Peace... Polaris

Rating: 10/10 Lucretias