Track Listing

1. Holy Wars... the Punishment Due
2. Hangar 18
3. Take No Prisoners
4. Five Magics
5. Poison Was the Cure
6. Lucretia
7. Tornado of Souls
8. Dawn Patrol
9. Rust in Peace... Polaris
10. My Creation (Demo Version)
11. Rust in Peace... Polaris (Demo Version)
12. Holy Wars... the Punishment Due (Demo Version)
13. Take No Prisoners (Demo Version)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5348 in Music
• Released on: 2004-08-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
After the success of PEACE SELLSaBUT WHO'S BUYING? in 1986 and SO FAR, SO GOOD, SO WHAT! in 1988, Megadeth was fast becoming one of thrash metal's leading outfits. However, the band's hard work was nearly derailed because of the continuousdismissals of band members and chronic substance abuse. Founding members Dave Mustaine (guitar/vocals) and Dave Ellefson (bass) changed their ways before work on their fourth album began, hiring drummer Nick Menza and ex-Cacophony guitarist Marty Friedman. When Megadeth re-emerged with RUST IN PEACE in 1990, metalheads were happy to hear that the changes hadn't dulled their attack in the slightest.
"Holy WarsaThePunishment Due" is an absolutely crushing opener that showsoff the technical expertise of the musicians, while "Hangar18" covers the familiar ground of alien visitation and government conspiracy. Both videos were put in heavy rotation onMTV's Headbanger's Ball program, which helped land the banda spot on the successful heavy 'Clash of the Titans' tour with Anthrax, Slayer, and Alice In Chains. Other highlights include the heavy hitters "Five Magics", "Lucretia", and "Rust in PeaceaPolaris".

Customer Reviews

Yes, it really is a classic
I won't go on and on about this album. So much has been said about it already. I will just give a quick, honest opinion. And my opinion is that Rust In Peace, Megadeth's fourth release, is an amazing album, not just a thrash but a metal classic and their best album. This is a thrashy, snarling masterpiece. It's very heavy, hard edged and the rhythm guitars have a really nasty, shredded sound, while the leads just sound fantastic. I personally think this album has a very unique sound to it. The lyrics are top, too. I think Dave Mustaine really delivers the vocals very well, and i love the way he sings this album. But another obvious thing you notice is the musical mastery. This album not only has great songs that sound fantastic, but it is technically excellent. Here you really have a group of musicians who are absolutely amazing at what they do; who have totally mastered their chosen instruments. All do a fantastic job: the bass sounds great and there are some brilliant basslines; some of the drumming is out of this world; but the guitar solos are just incredible. There is a lot of lead guitar play on this album, but it doesn't sound cheesy or 'permy'. The songs themselves are outstanding quality, and the songwriting skills, mainly of Mustaine, are very evident on this record. In my humble opinion, there isn't one bad song on this album. ALL are great, but a few standout tracks for me - 'Holy Wars....The Punishment Due'; 'Hangar 18'; 'Take No Prisoners'; 'Tornado Of Souls'; 'Rust In Peace...Polaris'. This remastered version of the album has better sound quality of course. It's not your average cheap rip-off of a remastering release; everything has been given an overhaul, but it doesn't take away from the greatness of the album, and i actually think the album sounds really refreshed. A few of the songs have actually been re-sung, and while i didn't like that at first, i can now appreciate how cool they sound. Taking a song like Take No Prisoners, for example, i think it sounds even more agressive. If you already have the original release, you may not want to be in too much of a panic to get this remastered version, but for die-hard Megadeth fans, i think it is warranted for the improvement in sound quality and the few extra tracks: My Creation (a cool little number, along the lines of Frankenstein), and the demo versions of Rust In Peace......Polaris, Take No Prisoners and Holy Wars......The Punishment Due - the last of which, i think is excellent. Also, being a big Megadeth fan, i think it's great that these demos feature the guitar playing of original member Chris Poland, which is a treat. I tried to keep it brief; i guess i couldn't. If you've ever wondered about buying this album but haven't done so yet - do the deed, it kicks a lot of a**. I can't give it less than 5 stars.

mind-blowing speed/thrash metal
Now this is what a metal album should be like. Lyrics drenched in substance and that are terribly relevant "killing for religion, something I don't understand!" So simple, so devastatingly true and straightforward. Mustaine re-establishes himself as a talented lyricist. Each and every track offers exemplary musicianship, as is and has been the trademark of every Megadeth album. Even more so for this album, as it has guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman working on lead guitar. Mustaine's tight and insanely precise rhythm work added with great bass lines from Dave Ellefson and fast- as-hell drumming from Nick Menza you have one outstanding album.

I won't get into a debate as to whether the remastered version is better then the original or vice versa, however, there are few things you should know before rushing to the store to buy this album. If you have the original, don't bother with buying this version as the original captured the intensity and the mood of the band at the time. This version serves to give a fine sheen and make the sound quality better, in which it excels. I can't shake the feeling that Mustaine might have re-recorded some parts, which just ruins the whole thing.

Oh yes, if you are after the bonus tracks, then by all means get it as you get to here a faster version of the holy wars... track with Chris Poland on lead guitars and some demos of some other tracks. I bought this version because I didn't have the original one and I had heard holy wars (the original version) from the capitol punishment album. Enjoy, this is an essential purchase for megadeth fans, thrash/speed metal fans and metal fans in general.

metal masterpiece!!
in my view this is by far the best megadeth album and one of the most complete metal albums ever.frantic riffing,technical solos,amazing lyrics and jaw dropping song structures combine to make it seem all so effortless.i guess thats why the only way was down after this!