Mustaine, left, and Ellefson, right... plucking a delicate ditty
Let me take a moment express my wishes for a speedy recovery to Mega-singer, songwriter, founder and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Dave recently made it known to the world that he has been diagnosed with throat cancer. Major downer, but his doctors have a treatment plan that they feel has a very high success rate. So... fingers crossed that our mighty Mustaine conquers yet another obstacle in his storied life to come out stronger than ever. He's a fighter, so I have a good feeling about this.
Now on to the thrash metal masterpiece Rust in Peace. The album was released in 1990, and I remember grabbing that CD and losing my mind to the technical and powerful brilliance of the music. Until then, I was a casual Megadeth fan, just sort of feeling things out in the Mustaine territory, being at the time a massive Metallica fan. This album really won me over and prompted me to explore more of the band's recordings, beginning with Peace Sells... But Who's Buying and So Far So Good So What?, and put me on the path to Mega-fandom. Nowadays, I'd say Megadeth is perhaps my fave, or nearly fave, band. Definitely in my top five.
I had the pleasure of seeing Megadeth perform as opening act for Heaven and Hell (aka Black Sabbath with Dio at the mic) back in 2007. But that warm-up was so short and sweet that ever since, I've been pining for the band to return for a headlining show. But no dice... they've never been back. C'mon, guys! Anyway, the highlights of that short set were Hanger 18, Tornado of Souls, and Holy Wars... The Punishment Due, all from the Rust album.
As far as the album goes, it's a full frontal assault on the senses, relentless in its metallic machinations. Blistering solos from all angles, heavy melodic riffs rattling yer rib-cage, the ferocious yet controlled drum attack, and Dave's sickly snarling vocals.
The band that Dave assembled for Rust in Peace is often considered their classic line-up: Dave, of course, on vocals and guitar (and he's no slouch on the axe, is he?), Marty Friedman on second guitar (his imaginative pyrotechnics are mind-boggling), long-time Mega-bassist Dave Ellefson (more than competent, he delivers a solid one-two punch of rhythm and melody), and dearly departed Nick Menza on the skins (an awe-inspiring drummer who combined power with technicality and creativity).
The album cover shows world leaders gathered in a supposedly hidden bunker (Hanger 18) where they participate in the unveiling of an alien life form. Government conspiracy and cover-up. And good old Mega-mascot Vic Rattlehead is the master of ceremony.
Now the music...
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due is hailed by many in the metal community as one of the greatest heavy songs ever recorded. I totally agree. Mustaine's pissed-off snarl and wail set the stage lyrically while the band bashes out a tough yet sophisticated flail-fest. The track operates as two-in-one, with a distinct change of direction partway through, like two back-to-back songs collaborating on the same story. Both the IRA and the Middle East conflicts inspired Dave in writing the song. His penchant for political commentary is rendered with anger and conviction here... and it works like a charm. A metal classic, for sure.
Hangar 18 is perhaps the most brutal track on the album, sporting several distinct guitar riffs and eleven... yes ELEVEN (11) guitar solos! And it's only a five minute song. Lyrics are spare yet enticingly cryptic, leaving lots of room for instrumental metal mayhem. Fast and driving, this is often cited by fans as one of their top Mega tunes. Me, too.
Take No Prisoners showcases Nick Menza's incredibly athletic drum-work while thick, beefy guitar riffs charge through this headbanger. Even a "lesser" track like this one is a barn-burner. Love that chorus... never to be played on daytime radio due to its catchy "shit".
Five Magics features a weaving bass part, soon to be entwined with the serpentine guitar lines. A full two minutes pass before the black-magic-laced vocals kick in. Wild, angular-flowing solos contrast the chugging verse parts, crossing time signatures in frantic fashion. Whew, what a ride.
Poison Was the Cure creeps into action at a slow-to-moderate pace, then whoa! - a sort of hyperactive Iron Maiden-esque speedy double-guitar attack takes over. Axe zingers galore.
Lucretia is among my favourite Megadeth songs. Those sharp riffs and crunchy chords serve the song well as Dave regales us with a chilling haunted house tale. A punchy and compact tune at just about four minutes, jam-packed with supreme metal content. Just goes to show how good Mustaine is at his craft.
Next up is Tornado of Souls, also considered a highlight of the Rust in Peace album. Monster riffs and vocal chants are key to the swirling effect of the song. The stamina it must take to tear off guitar lines like those, not to mention Nick at the percussive steering wheel. Yet another example of primo thrash musicianship - sweaty and dedicated.
Dawn Patrol is a curiosity in the Mega-catalogue. At just under two minutes long, this is almost exclusively drums and bass at a leisurely tempo, with only tiny guitar accents... and Dave's creaky-voiced spoken word post-apocalypse observations. Weird and out of character, yet it works... and I really like it.
Rust in Peace... Polaris grinds out its intro, making way for a choppy guitar/drums assault. The intensity and dare I say it - violence - of the song is almost shocking. Then again, just listen to those furious lyrics about the infamous nuclear warhead, deadly and frightening in its ability to devastate.
And that's the album. A metal classic right from the get-go. It's long been one of my fave albums, and I'd definitely rank it in my Top 10, quite possibly my Top 5 of all time. If you're a metal fan, you MUST own this album. Even if you don't like Megadeth (Dave's snarly, kind of whiny vocals aren't for everyone, apparently), give this WHOLE album a chance. I put it right up there with Black Sabbath (their debut, and Heaven and Hell), Priest's Screaming For Vengeance, Maiden's Number of the Beast, and Metallica's Ride the Lightning. And if I had to pick a couple of metal recordings for the proverbial desert island, this would be one of them (you already know Sabbath's Heaven and Hell is my #1).
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