Just a personal thought, but I always thought Megadeth beat Metallica in every way (even vocally >:-)! If you don't think so fine, that's why we live in this place we live) Perhaps you've heard that bassline at the end of MTV news? That's from this album. Peace Sells is second favorite Megadeth after only Rust In Peace. The songs have a supreme musicianship to them, for Dave and the boys can faster and more technical then most other metal bands I ever heard ever. This talent can observed epspecially on "Black Friday", while it has steretypical heavy metal Satan-ish lyrics, the complex drumwork of Gar, strong rhythm section of David and Dave, and the supreme lead playing by Chris Poland are so incredible, I [do not care]what Dave sings about, (although his lyrics can also be semi-political at times.) If you are a metalhead and you don't like Megadeth, I'm not exactly sure what's wrong with you.

The only thing you might be able to appreciate is the singing. Dave Mustaine has one of the most distinct voices in music period. I'll admit that learning to appreciate it was like coffee, an acquired taste. But also like coffee, once you teach yourself to appreciate Dave's singing, you'll love it for the rest of your life (I've liked them since I was 12!). Dave's singing on this CD is better than on most, (especially So Far, So Good . . . So What?, in which while I love Dave's voice, was his worst performance). Other complicated highlights Bad Omen, Devil's Island, and of course the classic Wake Up Dead. If you are looking for a speedmetal band that truly be seperated from most, Megadeth out-excels the rest of the big four - (Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax).

On "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?," Megadeth lit it up in a way few bands can or could. It's tough choosing between this one, "Youthanasia," and "Rust in Peace" as the band's top album, but I can say this one stands on its own greatness. Upping the ante from the band's debut, Dave Mustaine displayed his trademark vitriolic outlook, accompanied by Megadeth's precise musicianship and complex song structures.
The highlight of this album is, in my humble opinion, "Peace Sells," a catchy and hilariously sly polemic rendered in Dave's classic sneer. Pretty much every song on here is excellent though. Tracks like "Devil's Island," "The Conjuring," and "Black Friday" take off at breakneck speed, with crunching and tight riffs and long instrumental passages to prevent monotony. Dave Mustaine and Chris Poland were, needless to say, an excellent guitar duo, but I must say that I find the rhythm section's work to be "Peace Sells'" chief selling point. Gar Samuelson's timekeeping and fills on the drum kit were astonishingly nimble and fluid, and David Ellefson's basslines were inventive and insinuating. 1986 was of course a big year for the thrash metal genre, and "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" holds its own with any of metal's greats. It's too bad Megadeth is now no more, but at least Dave had a lot of great albums under his belt.

After leaving Metallica, Dave Mustaine disappointed me with "Killing Is My Business". So imagine how shocked I was when I heard this album and found it to be even more tuneful and agressive than Metallica's "Ride the Lightning".

"Wake Up Dead" is one of the heaviest metal tunes ever. Period. The title track is one of the most politically insightful songs I've ever heard. "Peace Sells" also features one of the most incredible and memorable bass riffs in recent memory. Add other stand outs like "Black Friday", "Devil's Island" and the stunning "My Last Words", and you've got one of metal's finest hours.

Megadeth has yet to make an album with even half the intensity of "Peace Sells .. But Who's Buying?", and fans who started listening to Megadeth after seeing their videos on MTV may not like the incredibly forceful and propulsive sound, but anyone with a passing interest in great metal (Black Sabbath, older Metallica, Motorhead, Death Angel) should have this recording. It's that good.

It's funny how the things you don't like at first usually go on to be your favorite. The first time I heard this cd, I thought to myself "eh, it's decent". Wow, my opinion changed so much after a few more listens. After about a week of owning this, it went on to become not only my favorite Megadeth cd, but one of my favorite albums of the entire genre! The only thrash cds I find better than this are Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets. Yes, it's THAT good! This is vintage thrash metal. The music is ultra-fast and doesn't let up until the very end and the vocals, while they may be annoying to some people, fit the music perfectly.

This classic album kicks off with the classic track "Wake Up Dead". This song is a chock-full of riffs and solos to drool over. Next up, the very underrated "The Conjuring". I love this song, one of my favorites. Then, we have the title track. What a fun song this is. And the opening bass line [is so great] that MTV has been using it for as long as I can remember after every MTV News segment "MTV News...You hear it....first". Then comes one of the fastest songs on the album, "Devil's Island". This reminds me of Metallica's "Whiplash". It's tied for my favorite song on the album with the following track - "Good Mourning/Black Friday", wow, what a song. The 2 minute intro is so damn cool and then it whips into a thrash metal fury for the remaining 4 minutes! "Bad Omen" is the next track, and it's probably my least favorite. Although, it does contain a very cool solo. Track 7 is the cover song that everyone seems to hate, "I Ain't Superstitous". You know what? I enjoy listening to it a lot. Sure, it's a bit out of place on this album, but it's just a fun song to listen to. The last song, "My Last Words", also seems to be vastly underrated. It's a great song with very interesting lyrics.

If you have any interest in thrash metal, buy this cd. Although then again, if you have an interest in thrash, shouldn't you have this cd already? What are you waiting for?! Go get it...NOW!

Overall, Megadeth's sophpmore release was a good effort at making a name for themselves in the heavy metal industry. Possibly one of the greatest albums in this genre. The production is great, the sound is quality, the music is superb and the vocals shine (you either love Dave or loathe him). I'll go through the set list one by one to give you a small insight:

1. Wake Up Dead - A great concert song, however, (from a personal standpoint) the song itself is kind of a fluke. It's very heavy, has some cool soloing, and the story behind it is cool, but I would never put the CD in just to listen to this song. Good song, just not a favorite. I'll give this one an A though.

2. The Conjuring - Now we're talking. This is a great story. The music is orchestrated great and the lyrics are well thought out. The song is great headbanger and is good from beginning to end. A+

3. Peace Sells - A Megadeth classic. Classic riff. Classic chorus. Classic solos. Classic Dave. From the opening bassline to the end solos and chorus, its a monster. Catchy and makes a great statement. Great concert song too. Although it can seem a little too catchy and even a little mainstream, but the music is what counts, and the music to this song is great. A+

4. Devil's Island - One of my favorites on the record. The lyrics are totally great and Dave's voice really shines on this song. The guitars are fast, the vocals are really fast, and the chorus is great. The story in this song is written very well and is one of Megadeth's best songs. A+

5. Good Mourning/Black Friday - Many metalheads love this track, but I find it my least favorite track on the album. The acoustic intro is very cool, but the lyrics I kind of irritate me. Black Friday has good music, but the lyrics are also too stereotypical to death metal. Good music, but my least favorite track. I'll give it a B- just to make it above average, but still not quite up to par.

6. Bad Omen - OK If you like heavy metal to the core, you'll LOVE this song. The lyrics are intense and the solos blow your ears off. The solos seem almost Slayer-like. This is what heavy metal is about. Ill give it an A.

7. I Ain't Superstitious - Here's an oddball. Many ridicule this song, but it isn't that bad. It's a very heavy song actually and has a cool vibe, but the fact that Megadeth did an old blues song and added vulgar language and took the blues feel out is kinda awkward. Nevertheless its a good track, but doesnt fit the vibe the rest of the album gives off. You can tell Megadeth was smoking some major hash. B+

8. My Last Words - This is my other favorite next to Devil's Island. The lyrics are cool, the main riff is awesome, the way Dave's voice sounds is great, the end chorus and solo is classic and the intro sends chills down your spill. A song about Russian Roulette, the song has novel-long lyrics and the finale winds the song and the album up real nicely. Great Megadeth song. A+

This CD is worth every penny. If Megadeth is your style, you cannot go wrong. Thanks.