Band:	Megadeth
Album:	So Far, So Good... So What?
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	November 11, 1988
Guest review by:	Arian Totalis

01. Into The Lungs Of Hell
02. Set The World Afire
03. Anarchy In The U.K. [Sex Pistols cover]
04. Mary Jane
05. 502
06. In My Darkest Hour
07. Liar
08. Hook In Mouth

[2004 re-release bonus tracks]
09. Into The Lungs Of Hell [Paul Lani Mix version]
10. Set The World Afire [Paul Lani Mix version]
11. Mary Jane [Paul Lani Mix version]
12. In My Darkest Hour [Paul Lani Mix version]

With possibly the cheesiest album cover ever, this album was the most experimental of Megadeth's career. Unfortunately, it was before the recording of this album that Gar Samuleson and Chris Poland were thrown from the band, a very tragic loss. But this album is a great recovery from the loss of such great players. With new recruits Jeff Young on Guitar and Chuck Behler on skins, this new line up was ready to rip some fuckin' heads off. So far things were good, but so what? It doesn't matter as long as they keep kicking ass.

The guitar on this album is pretty damn killer, as can be seen with the opening instrumental track "Into The Lungs of Hell." It starts with a tension building intro and then progresses into a finger blistering riff which really does make you feel like you're going into the lungs of hell. Drumming is pretty mediocre. I mean, Behler keeps the rhythm tight and everything, but does nothing impressive, it just doesn't tickle your ears. The bass for this album is, of course, very good, but Ellefson doesn't appear to be up to par from previous releases, which is a real let down.

Lyrically, this album is quite impressive. The themes deal with science fiction, drug addiction, social rebellion, remorse/regrets, and of course, politics. The last of these themes mentioned can be seen with their beautiful cover of "Anarchy In the UK" by the Sex Pistols. Perhaps the most touching thing about this album, though, is the song "In my Darkest Hour" which deals with the long regretted loss of friend and former band mate Cliff Burton. This is clearly seen with the line "Everlasting life for me in a perfect world, but I gotta die first, please god send me on my way!" We can also see a link to drug addiction with the song "Mary Jane"

In all honesty, the two most impressive elements to this album are the guitar and lyrics. The other parts of instrumentation are sub-par. However, because guitar and lyricism are so stellar, this album still gets above an eight, especially seeing as how there's unique song structure, as well as a slightly progressive element.

While this album may lack certain qualities, it's still very good, and still a recommended buy for almost any Megadeth fan. Trust me, when you learn to appreciate this album, you'll set the world afire and willingly walk into the lungs of hell.

Album Highlights: Into The Lungs Of Hell, Set The World Afire, Mary Jane, 502, In My Darkest Hour.