Rating: B
Damn, Chris Poland looks like a little kid in the
photo inside of the CD cover. Was it really a quarter of
a century ago that this iconic album was released? How
come Dave Mustaine looks the same? Could it be…Satan? Oh
wait, the red headed monster is a born again Christian
now. Back then, however, he was closer to the fires of
hell than the kingdom of God. The music reeks of anger
and evil and the songs bash into your skull like a
fistful of fury.
The 25th anniversary edition features the
entire album in all its glory. It sounds meaner than
ever and will scare little girls, puppies and old
people. It also comes with a real treat for foaming at
the mouth metal maniacs in the form of a live bonus CD.
The show was recorded back in 1987 in Cleveland at the
Phantasy Theatre. There are 13 songs in total, the best
of the bunch are “Wake Up the Dead,” ‘Killing is My
Business…and Business is Good,” “My Last Words,” “Peace
Sells,” “These Boots Were Made For Walking” and “Mechanix.”
All live tracks have never been released before, so even
if you own the parent album, you don’t own this rough,
raw and loud concert.
Megadeth were Mustaine’s baby and this goes back to
before the million and one lineup changes, the religious
conversion and the million and one drug rehabs. This is
pure thrash featuring Mustaine and Poland beating the
shit out of their guitars and putting all of their
energy into their music. Bass player Dave Ellefson, now
back in the band, shows what a talent he was as well.
This is the real deal. Damn, Mustaine was a crazy
fucker…
By Jeb Wright
