The guitar on this album undoubtedly makes it a thrash classic. The opening track "Last Rights/Loved to Death" is a prime example of this, with the guitar (and bass) following in perfect harmony with a beautiful piano, only to evolve into a blistering lead which kicks the song off. The rhythms for this album are of of course done in the unique manner of Mustaine, and Poland does a magnificent job with the solos as can be seen on the songs "Rattlehead" and "Chosen Ones."
Dave Ellefson is without a doubt one of thrash's greatest bass players, and an extraordinary element in Megadeth's music from the second he joined until the moment he left. This album is no different. Throughout the album he plays driving basslines that match the guitar with a punchy accent, but deviates yet still sounds oh so sweet. He and Mustaine, without a doubt, went together like peanut butter and jelly.
Of course the Jazz element contributed by Samuleson and Poland is a great flavor of it's own as well. Their previous experience in bands together made them a great pair, and with their jazz fusion playing mixed with the punk/hard rock influenced style of Ellefson and Mustaine, the combination was timeless, truly a deadly force to be reckoned with.
Overall, the drumming on the album is just catchy and great. It has noticeably well played, and yet not ridiculously overpowering double bass. Along with that, excellent cymbal work can be heard throughout the album, which is no doubt the end result of his jazz training. Fills, too, are well executed.
On this album, there are two notorious tracks which should be discussed. The first of these is Mechanix, a song Mustaine wrote while in Metallica. After he was booted out, Metallica changed the name of the song to "The Four Horsemen." Mustaine, pissed that they stole his song, sped up the instrumentation and put it on his own debut album. This led to legal as well as physical altercations between Metallica and Megadeth. That's reason enough to buy this album, as the history behind it is rich with bloodshed. The other song to be mentioned here is their paradoxical cover of Lee Hazlewood's song "These Boots," which is hilarious....
I urge any classic thrash fan to purchase this album. I mean sure, the production is a little gritty, but when you throw it in, you can't help but rattle your god damn head.
Album Highlights: Last Rights/Loved to Death, Chosen Ones, Looking Down the Cross. .
