Great Metal Albums of 1986: Megadeth- Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?

They weren’t called “The Big 4” back in 1986 but history has now taught us that 86 was the year which all four bands under that title came out with pivotal albums. Three of which, I have already posted about, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” Anthrax’s “Spreading the Diseases” and “Reign in Blood” from Slayer. Last but certainly not least, (I will never state a preference of these albums because it will result in a “Scanners” effect), is Megadeth and their album, “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?” With the benefit of historical hindsight, I can definitely conclude that 1986 was the year which sprung thrash metal into the limelight with these four bands and their fantastic albums leading the charge.

What “PSBWB” did for me was to satisfy my ever-growing appetite for things thrash back then. Hearing those riffs would get me out into a mosh pit, even now. In addition, some of the songs seemed to speak directly to me. Many times I felt like the opener, “Wake Up Dead,” after a good night in the college bar, which wasn’t all the often at the time but that’s another story. I didn’t realize the Dave Mustaine wrote the song because he was cheating on his girlfriend at the time and feared getting caught. While I’m not a Satanist, I was still very fond of black metal songs like “The Conjuring” because it was something I could listen to in defiance of the religious nuts in America, even though I was in England.

In regards to the title track, I have to agree with the masses that it’s a monster of a song, definitely up there in my all time list of favourite Megadeth songs. I was harbouring similar feelings towards the USA as Dave was at the time so the lyrics seemed to speak to me on a very personal level. On top of that, he sings the song with that sinister sneer in his voice, something I have always liked about him. Then if that’s not enough, the song ends with the title repeated in a way which invites the listener to engage and a thrashing good mosh.

While “PSBWB” is a definite thrash album, tracks like “Devil’s Island” make it so, there are some less thrashy moments as well, which in no way detract from the enjoyment of the album. “Good Mourning/Black Friday” starts with a cool melodic lead guitar intro which shatters the myth that thrash musicians can’t play their instruments. However, that intro serves to lull you into a false sense of security before the second half of the song goes full blow out your ears thrash. I do love the guitar solo on this part of the song. But that’s not all, the band unveil a further surprise in the bluesy sounding “I Ain’t Superstitious,” a cover of an old Howlin’ Wolf song from the 1960s. This track is such a pleasant surprise that I call it the hidden gem on the album. The way its played, you can’t help just to bob away to it and the guitar solo is just outstanding. Even though it might be a contrast with the total thrash out of a closer that is “My Last Words,” which is about playing Russian Roulette, it works perfectly.

Track Listing:

1. Wake Up Dead
2. The Conjuring
3. Peace Sells But Who’s Buying
4. Devil’s Island
5. Good Mourning/Black Friday
6. Bad Omen
7. I Ain’t Superstitious
8. My Last Words

Megadeth

Dave Mustane- lead vocals, guitar

Chris Poland- guitar

David Ellefson- bass, backing vocals

Gar Samuelson- drums

“Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?” joins the albums from the other three big 4 bands to mark 1986 as a very big year in thrash metal. While other bands would also begin to stamp their mark on the thrash world, it is Megadeth and the other bands which started the avalanche.

Next post: Some Remaining Bits of 1986

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