By 1990, Megadeth had already released “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” one of their masterpieces and an icon of Thrash Metal. However, the band led by Dave Mustaine could never have imagined the level they could reach. Lineup changes were frequent, and for Rust In Peace, the band had assemble the perfect musicians to create a work of art that would change the course of metal forever.
What can we listen to?
Practically one of the best lineups of Megadeth, consisting of Dave Mustaine (Guitar/Vocals), Marty Friedman (Lead Guitar), Nick Menza (Drums), and David Ellefson (Bass).
Megadeth was reaching its peak in terms of composition; in fact, they haven’t managed to reach this musical level in later albums. We can listen to highly technical pieces, exceedingly complex riffs, and above all, a series of harmonies that make the listening experience melodic and enjoyable. We hear guitar solos with highly studied techniques like sweep picking, all arranged in such a way that the song’s structure takes you on a journey to prepare you for what’s to come.
Rust In Peace is aggressive and heavy, yet we find its turning point in the excellent execution of each and every instrument. Unlike other bands of the time, such as Metallica with their album “…And Justice For All,” Megadeth left its mark with a completely audible bass, produced in such a way that it plays an equal role with the guitars. Moreover, we can hear a piece that serves as an interlude, composed solely with bass and drums; yes, we’re talking about “Dawn Patrol,” David Ellefson’s moment to shine.
The Friedman-Mustaine combination.
Much of the success of this album lies in its complex guitars: fast and full of character. Both Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine were at their best, so much so that a rivalry unfolded in the years that followed. Setting aside the mentioned rivalry, these two guitar geniuses leave a distinctive mark, making it recognizable who plays what.
Mustaine focuses on aggression, while Friedman focuses on melodies and speed, without venturing into the abstract. On the contrary, each solo, every riff, and every figure he composed sounds meticulously crafted, much like George Harrison did with each of his compositions.
On the other hand, Megadeth found its perfect drummer in Nick Menza, who, while not a virtuous, possessed the speed and experience demanded by the album. His contributions to the record are iconic, as he brings order and ties the band together with impeccable precision.
The album that placed them above everyone else...
Indeed, no one managed to reach this level of composition, and we’re talking about giants of thrash metal such as Testament, Exodus, Slayer, Anthrax, Kreator, or even Metallica themselves. Rust In Peace was the work that garnered the most respect and popularity for the band, as it remains a piece of work whose complexity is hard to replicate.
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