Originally published by L.S. Media. July 17th 2011.
It is a sad fact, but Heavy Metal albums age quickly; they corrode and wither, some die of neglect after being hailed as the best thing to ever hit the market, some stagnate for a while before only selling to true fans of the genre. Not for them the security of say Progressive Rock’s Pink Floyds Wish You Were Here or the timeless musings of Soul legend Marvin Gaye’s seminal What’s Going On. There are so few examples of timeless quality pure Heavy or Thrash Metal albums that 25 years after the release date still sound fresh and exciting.
From the 1970’s there could be arguably just Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath by Birmingham Heavy Metal Stalwarts Black Sabbath, from the 1980’s there are a couple of Iron Maiden albums that tick the box and from the advent of American Thrash Metal stands Metallica’s …And Justice for All and Ride the Lightning and of course Megadeth’s Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying. This last album is a genuine piece of untainted and incredible music, so raw in its emotion, so intelligent in its outlook and yet with the subtle hint of what was to come in its brutal lyrics and superb musicianship. To dismiss this as a pure fluke would be wrong.
Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying was the bands second album and released in late 1986 by Capitol Records. Now 25 years on the band have re-released it as a special edition, re-mastered and with the added bonus of a rare and decently recorded live set from 1987 added into the bag for good measure.
From the beginning Peace Sells… shows the direction of the band, its primary goal of being better, faster and more respected than fellow Thrash Metal band Metallica running through the veins of growling behemoth Dave Mustaine like four star premium petrol inside their emblem Vic Rattlehead’s brain.
It would be too easy to run through the tracks and give a definitive dissection of the album but none is needed when all you have to do is look at the cover, both apocalyptic in its resonance and still so very apt with a world that simply doesn’t understand the value of peace. Peace Sells…just does exactly what it says.
Even after 25 years Peace Sells…still has the balls to be counted as one of the most important albums ever produced by the band and by any Metal group ever. Unflinching in its directness, uncompromising in its ability and unconditional in its attitude, Peace Sells…The public bought!
Ian D. Hall