Thrashcast Episode 38: Megadeth's "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying" from 1986
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Thrashcast is the place to find riveting discussions on classic thrash albums, news and reviews. Your hosts are three thrash loving maniacs who grew up during the golden age of the genre. Kenneth, Billy and Jim will get together weekly to bring you a deep dive on some of your favourite thrash records.
Show Notes:
Episode Thirty-Eight: This week we review the sophomore album from Megadeth. Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? was released September 26th, 1986 and is considered a thrash classic. Megadeth is a part of the Bay area's Big 4 of American thrash along with Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer.
Peace Sells was mired in many controversies due to the rampant drug use happening around this time in the band. Both drummer Gar Samuelson and guitarist Chris Polland were heavily under the influence for drug addiction and often would come late to recording sessions; sometimes hours would go by by they showed up in the studio. Dave Mustaine was forced to eventually fire the pair at the conclusion of the promotional tour supporting Motorhead.
Of course the drug use and personal problems, extended well beyond Gar and Chris. Both Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson were homeless at this time, and Mustaine was mired in a troubling relationship with a girlfriend that he was living with. Dave went on to write about his ordeal on the opening track of Peace Sells called "Wake Up Dead". The song went on to become a verifiable hit and is often played in the live set.
The album is also noted for the title track Peace Sells which was politically charge with socially conscious lyrics, as it took aim at criticizing the American landscape of the time. They shot a video, directed by artist Robert Longo that became a staple on MTV. During a live performance at Woodstock 1999, Dave Mustaine paid tribute to drummer Gar after he passed away from liver failure just 4 days before.
Fun Facts: The cover art was done by the legendary artist Ed Repka who went on to create the cover for Rust In Peace, as well as numerous other bands in the genre. Ed has stated the Peace Sells cover to be his favourite and is considered a milestone in his career.
Kenneth Gallant, HMS
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