Band:	Megadeth
Album:	Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	July 20, 1986
Guest review by:	Arian Totalis

Disc I
01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Peace Sells
04. Devils Island
05. Good Mourning/Black Friday
06. Bad Omen
07. I Ain't Superstitious [Howlin' Wolf cover]
08. My Last Words
09. Wake Up Dead [Randy Burns Mix version] [2004 re-release bonus]
10. The Conjuring [Randy Burns Mix version] [2004 re-release bonus]
11. Peace Sells [Randy Burns Mix version] [2004 re-release bonus]
12. Good Mourning/Black Friday [Randy Burns Mix version] [2004 re-release bonus]

Disc II [remastered version]
01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Peace Sells
04. Devils Island
05. Good Mourning/Black Friday
06. Bad Omen
07. I Ain't Superstitious [Willie Dixon cover]
08. My Last Words

Disc III [1987 live concert]
01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Bad Omen
04. Rattlehead
05. Killing Is My Business
06. Looking Down The Cross
07. My Last Words
08. Peace Sells
09. These Boots [Nancy Sinatra cover]
10. Devils Island
11. Loved To Deth
12. Mechanix

Disc IV [original Randy Burns mixes]
01. Wake Up Dead
02. The Conjuring
03. Peace Sells
04. Devils Island
05. Good Mourning/Black Friday
06. Bad Omen
07. I Ain't Superstitious [Howlin' Wolf cover]
08. My Last Words

"I sneak in my own house, it's four in the morning, I've had too much to drink, said I was out with the boys. I creep in my bedroom, I slip into bed, I know if I wake her I'll wake up....dead."

We all know what happens from there. Poland kicks off with an awesome fucking solo, and your brain dies from the lethal injection of metal you've just shot into your bloodstream. "Peace Sells" is the album that put Megadeth on the map. Mankind is and always will be at war with itself, much like the riffage of each instrument will be in constant competition with each other on this album. Yet ideas of peace still sell in this world. Let me ask you this, then; are you buying?

Trade off solos anyone? This element, along with undeniably unique and innovative rhythms, slightly progressive elements, and catchy riffs, make the guitar fan-fuckin-tastic on this album. Name any song on the album and there will be at least one, if not all of these elements with the guitar.

Long live Ellefson! Back and better than before, he has memorable bass parts on multiple songs, most notably is the intro to the title track "Peace Sells (granted, it was written by Mustaine)." He also has a simplistic yet eerie riff in the beginning of the song "Devil's Island." Continuing to dominate the trash bass arena, Ellefson is still the man.

The drumming is pretty crazy, the cymbal work is seemingly flawless. Samuleson too, helps bring in the slightly proggy atmosphere, and he also makes the listening all around fun. His breaks are perfect, fills magnificent, and timing unflawed. This drumming is amongst the best that Megadeth has ever brought to the table. thank you Gar.

Lyrically, this album shows a number of different themes exposed, as is common with Megadeth. The most known of these themes is, of course politics, and what better song to serve as an example than "Peace Sells"? Violently spitting at the powers that be, Mustaine points out some key flaws in the US Justice System. We also have themes of teenage lifestyle, as is seen with wake up dead, and themes of sin and hell, as is seen with "Devil's Island." Mustaine truly is a great musician AND lyricist.

Thrash Fans, to the stores! Let us not forget the actions of Megadeth before us! Alas, this is the last album with Gar Samuleson OR Chris Poland. While the loss was tragic, the recovery of Megadeth was still great, and they have released a number of worthwhile albums since then. But as for this one, we'll never forget the lesson that if we're caught sneaking in late, well, we just might wake up dead.

Album Highlights: Wake Up Dead, Peace Sells, Devil's Island, My Last Words