Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (Remastered)

iTunes Review

Megadeth’s second album brings the band’s dexterous attack into sharp focus. The carpel-tunnel inducing rhythms, the jumpcut guitar solos, the snarky, sarcastic lead vocals, and the whiplash song constructions that led heavy metal into heavier and more extreme territory for the remainder of the ‘80s and ‘90s are all present and accounted for. However, while the genre has gone on to explore the abrasive ends suggested here, Megadeth’s penchant for melody should never be discounted. Tracks such as “The Conjuring,” “Peace Sells” and “Bad Omen “ are hooky without sacrificing power, attributable to leader Dave Mustaine’s unpolished, scrappy sound. “Devil’s Island” sports an Iron Maiden gallop but does so with a trebly, twitchy menace that’s far rawer in tone, twisting the tune into a moshpit favorite, while “Good Mourning / Black Friday” features impressive guitar runs that are simply epic as the song derails into manic panic. Bluesman Willie Dixon’s “I Ain’t Superstitious” is transformed into a heavy metal warrior’s bout with extreme paranoia. One of metal’s most inventive bands.