MEGADETH
RUST IN PEACE
Album Dive
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With the release of their 4th album (a.k.a. one of the finest albums in thrash metal history), MEGADETH conquered new levels of greatness with their progressive thrash masterpiece RUST IN PEACE, featuring Marty Friedman on guitars and Nick Menza behind the drum kit who, along with founding members David Ellefson and Dave Mustaine, would become known as “the classic lineup” of the legendary band.
Find other MEGADETH Episodes
Megadeth Peace Sells
Megadeth So Far So Good
MEGADETH on the InterWebs
Released 9/24/1990
Label Capitol
Producers Dave Mustaine Mike Clink
Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals
David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
Marty Friedman – guitars
Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
Tracks
Side one
1 Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
2 Hangar 18
3 Take No Prisoners
4 Five Magics
Side two
5 Poison Was the Cure
6 Lucretia
7 Tornado of Souls
8 Dawn Patrol
9 Rust in Peace... Polaris
Jam packed with crushing riffs, majestic guitar solos, and vivid lyrical imagery, RUST IN PEACE might very well be MEGADETH’s “Master of Justice…And Puppets for All” in terms of sheer technicality and progressive thrash craftsmanship. In short, RUST IN PEACE forever altered the thrash metal genre and raised the bar in terms of sheer musicianship, arrangement, and presentation.
Discover the glaring difference between thrash and “heavy metal” and understand why “you gotta fluff first” in order to “build desire” and “keep up with the algorithm”. Find out why “5 hours is TRUE dedication”, why “fast and nasty” is the only way to go, and why “Florida is kind of our Australia” when you JOIN US as we dive into MEGADETH’s thrash metal magnum opus, RUST IN PEACE.
HOLY WARS…THE PUNISHMENT DUE:
Fun fact: apparently “Holy Wars…” is the first part of the song and “…The Punishment Due” is the second part (according to the lyric sheet inside the CD). Basically it’s “Holy Wars…” up until the middle breakdown part and then “…The Punishment Due” from the middle part to the end.
Fyi, there’s a HUGE difference between the sound of the original 1990 release and the 2004 remastered version. The attack of the drums is totally different on the remaster and WAY more aggressive on the 1990 version.
Nice leadup to the first verse. Musically, much more powerful and enthusiastic than anything on SFSGSW. (And definitely one of the most killer openers in thrash history).
The first album to feature Marty Friedman on guitar and Nick Menza on drums…a complete Mega-Makeover (for the better). The middle part seems like a completely different song (because technically, it IS a completely different song) but it perfectly blends together the beginning with the ending.
“Fill the cracks in,
With judicial granite,
Because I don’t say it,
Don’t mean I ain’t thinkin it…”
HANGAR 18
The riff at the beginning sounds strangely familiar but I can’t place where I’ve heard it before. It’s certainly got a straight ahead, punk sort of feel to it, so maybe that it explains it. This song (and really, the entire album) contains a multitude of many memorable riffs.
The breakdown going into the solo almost has a “Maiden meets Areosmith” vibe to it. In 1990, this was the pinnacle of technically progressive thrash. Tons of weedly woos throughout, and that ending is sublime.
“The military intelligence,
Two words combined that can’t make sense…”
TAKE NO PRISONERS:
Way more “fast & thrashy” than the first 2 tracks and one of the shorter songs on the album. This is the one album (other than “Peace Sells…”) that really showcases Dave’s incredible ability to generate unbelievably memorable riffs and construct incredibly potent songs.
“Don’t ask what you can do for your country,
Ask what your country can do for you,
Take no prisoners, take no shit!”
FIVE MAGICS:
Sort of odd how it starts off super intense and then lays back into that weirdly hypnotic bass groove with the creepy, harmonized guitars.
When it comes back in from the “hypnotic” sounding section, it returns with incredible power. At the 2:50 mark, the riff radically shifts into this weird, stuttered sounding climb before going into the guitar solo.
“Alchemy…wizardry…sorcery…thermatology…electricity…”
For some reason, I always thought when Dave sang “I’ve mastered…” that he was actually singing “Thighmaster” (talk about misheard lyrics…made me think the band might have had some kind of secret, fitness endorsement deal that we never knew anything about).
Somehow I didn’t realize that electricity was magic, but I guess when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. I’m sure the Amish certainly believe it’s magic.
“He who lives by the sword,
Will surely also die,
He who lives in sin,
Will surely live the lie..”
POISON WAS THE CURE:
Creepy bass intro…crystal clear and right up front (unlike on a certain album that shall not be named…created by Dave’s former bandmates in Dave’s former band).
The beginning almost doesn’t match with what follows…almost like it belongs somewhere else, or as an entirely other song. Very punk and very thrash. Lots of tasty double-bass goodness. That riff before the solo…short and to the point, squeaking in at just under 3 minutes. (“Taste me” …)
“A snake you were when we met,
I loved you anyway,
Pulling out your poisoned fangs,
The venom never goes away…”
LUCRETIA:
That laugh always sounded like some creepy, witchy groupie who was a huge Megadeth fan. Solid (and extremely busy) riffs, good flow and cadence…that’s why Dave is a master.
(Maybe riffery should be the 6th magic).
TORNADO OF SOULS:
One of their most memorable openings…especially on this album.
The chorus has a nice groove to it. That harmony part near the solo has a very Powerslave feel to it. And that guitar solo is a face melter.
“Not from the years,
Not from the use,
Not from the tears,
Just self-abuse…”
DAWN PATROL:
Creepy, dark, and heavy…and really short.
Just bass and drums…and Dave with the ultra-creepy, vividly descriptive lyrics.
“Now I can only laugh,
As I read our epitaph,
We end our lives as moles,
In the dark of dawn patrol.”
RUST IN PEACE…POLARIS:
The 2nd song on the album utilizing the ellipses. Fantastic closer, lots of moving parts and tons of riffs, changes, and double bass.
So, Polaris is just the 2nd part of the song (which comes in at 3:51). Similar to the riffs in the title track, but a tad different. The riffs toward the outro sound similar to Take No Prisoners…very similar.
“Immense in my girth,
Erect I stand tall,
I am a nuclear murderer,
I am Polaris…”
Show Notes:
(00:01): “that’s what I call my downstairs, man…”/ #alligatorwrestler #nope / “Dogs are kids…sorta.”/ “I never knew there were crocodiles in Florida…”/ #crocodiles vs #alligators / #markthetime / “They have the overbite and the longer snout…”/ #whathappenedwas (“Now all of a sudden…”) / “Maybe it’s like an intraspecies orgy…Florida is our Australia…”/ #clinky / ***WARNING: #listenerdiscretionisadvised ***/ #thisepisodesclinkyoftheepisode #MrBlack #CoffeeBrewLiqueur / “That’s our next sponsor…”/ ***WELCOME BACK TO THE METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!!*** / #thisepisodesbeeroftheepisode / ***IF YOU WANNA SKIP THE NONSENSE, JUMP DOWN TO #THEDOCKET ***/
Los Bravos
Beer of the Episode
#TerrapinBrewery #LosBravos (“Named after the #atlantabraves …”) / “I’m not gonna read it…”/ #insertmexicanthememusichere #inserthorrificmexicanaccenthere / #theverdict (“That was beautiful…”) / “It’s got #daydrinking vibes to it…it’s pool beer…”/ #sonywatchman / #RussellsReflectionsASMR / “Here’s what I learned this week…”/ “That’s not something new I learned…apparently porn is everywhere on #IG …”/ #instaporn #instaboobs #breastfeeding and #roastbeef / “Here’s how you can tell…” / #whorehandle (“No offense…”) / “I guess it makes sense…”/ ***YOU CAN CHECK US OUT ON ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIAS AT #METALNERDERYPODCAST OR LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL AT 980-666-8182!!!*** / (“You can also email us at metalnerdery@gmail.com …”) / #MetalNerderyPatreonShoutout / “We don’t have any voicemail…but we do have some emails.” / #BobFromOhio (“Not kind?”) / #Venus #Mars #Uranus #planetariumASMR / “Tell us what show, bro…”/ “an email here from #GeeOff …”/ #awesomeentertainment / #firstmetalshow / “Dude, anybody who listens to this show…”/ #soldout #earplugsASMR #mythreesons (“5 hours!? That’s dedication!”) / #thankyouforthat (“I think he’s from #downunder …”) / #Brisbane (“Maybe one for the #shittah , yeah?”) / #BrisbaneOhio / #BrisbaneAustralia / “That’s TRUE dedication…”/ “Nice reference…you NEVER saw that movie!?” / “It looks like something you’d see on cable…”/ #bolth #assumptions #BrisbaneTennessee
(13:19): #WeTheHollow (“I don’t know why it paused…”)
#creepykeyboards (“It’s like #KISS meets #Slipknot …”) / “Like #SlipknotEngage …see what I did there?”/ “Here’s a question…did Slipknot kinda invent that?” / #nowweregonnasing / “They might have been close to the beginning…”/ #Slipknot is more thrash than #Korn / “The beginning of the…”/ “That’s where potatoes come from…”/ “I’ve got a few reflections…”/ #thepasttwoweeks #foodapologist #foodparanoia / “There’s a week…”/ “Every once in a while…”/ “Three billiard ball sized balls…and dark and dirty coffee…”/ #buttcoffee #waterbutt #buttpoop #waterbuttbuttpoopbuttcoffee / “and they’re holding onto their phones…” / #phoneclit
(19:59): #RussellsReflectionsASMR #72Seasons #AndJusticeForAllPart2 / “It’s #TheBlackAlbumPartTwo …”/ “Song for song…” / “They weren’t that bad…” / #fiftypercentbone / “It seems a little faster…” / #Metallica SLEEPWALK MY LIFE AWAY (“already, heavier than anything on #TheBlackAlbum …”) / “That bass is aggro…”/ “Alright, go to the 3 minute mark…”/ “It’s the #YellowAlbum for sure, man…”/ “At some point we’ll do an #albumdive of that…and #KISS #Destroyer …”/ “There’s not a song called Destroyer…”/ “First grade…sure…”/ “You can say it over here…”/ “By the time THIS is aired…”/ #patreon (“We got through it…but it was brutal…”) / “We need to do a #WREKage #radiospecial …”/ “Sounds like dudes that made gameshows back in the 70’s…”/ #uhhhkay / “Y’all do whatever you want…”/ #break / “Protein positive booze…”/ “I like ‘em though…”/ #momtits (“Momtits are the BEST, dude…”) / #decoytits / #bucketlist / “You’re getting’ good, bro…” / #MetalNerderyBootlegEdition / “Stronger than anything made in China…”/ #yougottadothemouth
(30:00): “Dude that’s just #badkarma …” / #TheDocket METAL NERDERY PODCAST PRESENTS: MEGADETH – RUST IN PEACE ALBUM DIVE!!! / “I’ve got one bone to pick…” / #originalmix vs #remasteredmix / #drummix / “There’s no attack to it…”/ “I wouldn’t call it a thrash album…”/ #progressivethrash / “This is definitely the highlight…this is their #MasterOfJusticeAndPuppetsForAll …”/ “Wait a minute…”/ “Those were the days…” / #highlightreels / “I’m good…till she does.”/ “That was some hair…”/ “Just weedly-wooin all over the place…” / “He’s had beautiful hair for years, dude…”/ #killeropener HOLY WARS…THE PUNISHMENT DUE #thebestdrumsever / “The longest song on the album, btw…”/ “That riff…is awesome.”/ “It matches what they’re doing…”
(39:59): “It’s got a lot of moments…” / HANGAR 18 (“It’s kinda more punky…”) / “Maiden vibes…”/ “There ya go…”/ #thecrazypart #guitarsolo / “It’s classic…it’s like #WalkThisWay and #WakeUpDead together…”)/ “That’s a #guitarbone album all day long…”/ #Roadhouse (“It’s already out?”) / “It’s awesome, dude!” / #beniceuntilitstimetonotbenice / “Is it even close to the first one?” / “Great, it’s #MiamiViceRoadhouse …”/ “That’s the #HollywoodWay though…”/ “They could have called it anything else…”/ #RussellsReflectionsMovieEdition / “I know it’s not #Shakespeare bro…”
(48:11): “I’ve got nothing else to offer…”/ TAKE NO PRISONERS (“Take no shit!”) / #basssolo / “This song doesn’t match the first two…”/ “The best chorus ever…”/ FIVE MAGICS (“Start off really intense and then slow down…I’m trying to build desire.”) / “I build boredom…”/ “I like the way this one builds because it’s kinda creepy…”/ #fuzzycrispy / Can you name all 5 magics that he references? / #ThighMaster #ThighMagics (“You’ve gotta use #desire to talk her into it…”) / “I have no idea what that’s gonna be like…”/ #Alchemy #Wizardry #Sorcery #Thermatology #Electricity / “Dude…”/ “Whatever, okay…so.” / #killercloser #sideone
(57:36): POISON WAS THE CURE #SideTwo / “It said to shake it up…”/ “Taste me…” / “Did you tap the lid?” / #prefluff / LUCRETIA (“You totally glossed over that…”) / “Now I gotta know what her name means…” / #shesellspussy / “Let’s be real: all they really gotta do…”/ “It had to stink in there…” / #superBO #allthetimeBO #constanttang #buttpoopcrust and #BOTang / “Even two hundred years ago…” / #acrosstheworld / #uhhhkay / TORNADO OF SOULS (“It’s a rock and roll riff…”) / “This whole part’s killer…”/ #harmonies / “This song has a Rocky feel…”/ #yousureaboutthat / “What’s up with this #speeddating ?”/ “This is a good beard…”/ “All we need is the location…” / DAWN PATROL (“That was perfect, dude!”) / “I love Dave’s faux British accent…”/ “Is there an album without him on it?”
(1:12:03): “They don’t even have to see the hog…”/ “If it’s…then there should be no issue.”/ RUST IN PEACE…POLARIS / “Discharge my payload…”/ “You know what’s weird…it would have made sense.”/ “He’s kinda busy…doing a lot.”/ #RussellsReflectionsASMR / “That’s where #TheBlackAlbum came from…”/ #tobefair (“We really wanted to strip it back…streamline it…”) / #AYearAndAHalfInTheLifeOfMetallica #publicdomain / #moviedive / “No boobs though…the first one had boobs.”/ ***THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!!!*** / “We’re coming up on the mighty 250…we’ve got to plan something…”/ #deathmatch / “Here we go…”/ #sidetracked / “Sensing a but…”/ “It’s a thrash album…”/ #shittalkingASMR / “#MetalChurch and #Dio…and #BlackAlbum…”/ “Is it blues? Is it hip hop?” / “What is thrash then?” / #fastandnasty / #cleanupthemess #LMAO / #untilthenext / ***COME GRAB SOME METAL NERDERY GEAR DOWN AT THE BUNKERPOON GIFT SHOPPE AT metalnerdery.com/merch ***/ #outroreel