Megadeth - Killing is My Business... And Business is Good! 1985 USA-California

Bought this album on the same hot Dallas summer day in 1985 with Exodus' Bonded with Blood. Had very high expectations for both, but neither met them. Exodus received more listens, but neither title made it too far into the 90s with moi. And both were gone - long sold off for a fraction of today's going rates. These two groups are forever linked together in my mind, but they are very different, despite both having strong Metallica connections. I've discussed my reunion with Exodus on a couple of posts already, but not Megadeth.

Unlike Exodus, Megadeth has aged much better for me. Also to note, I did go one more album with Exodus real time (Pleasures of the Flesh) before giving up on them. Megadeth did not receive a second chance. It was only 5 years ago I executed a bulk buy on a pile of classic thrash CDs. There were many Megadeth albums in there. And this included the ones that had achieved great commercial success in the 90s. Those I remember hearing from one of the girls I worked with (strange I know..), and wasn't very enamored with (1994 to 1995 time frame). And that remained true here as well. But from this set of CDs, it was albums two through four that had impact with me. I'd heard some of these songs on Headbangers Ball and the like but never pursued the albums, because you know, I already bought the debut and wasn't into them. But the first album was strangely missing from this batch. Perhaps for the better, because it gave me an excuse to buy an original - or close to an original - vinyl record. It's the nostalgia pull thing again. With Bonded in Blood I settled for trade credit for a modern 2010 pressing. But I planned to holdout on Killing, and that day has finally arrived (see Ownership below).

In hearing this album again, I could see where my disappointment came from. It's not very heavy, which was its primary fault. By 1985, I wanted a Metallica styled production. Apparently Megadeth blew their budget on booze and drugs. Well, OK, whatever. Makes for a good story, but plenty of bands with no budget did better than this. What I hear today is something of a guitar fronted jazz fusion band doing thrash metal with screaming James Hetfield (early James Hetfield) styled vocals thrown on top. When you realize that both guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson (who later formed the brilliant Fatal Opera) were actually playing in a jazz fusion band prior, then it all comes together. Few would argue that Mustaine wasn't adept at playing the guitar, and his riffing style here is fairly advanced for 1985. So that's your story line. It's not a brilliant album by any means, and way too short. Also it was miles behind where Metallica were by then. If Mustaine was a woman scorned, then he still got steamrolled by her former lover. But it does have a place in history, and I'm glad to have it back. 

Ownership: LP: 1986 Music For Nations (UK). Second UK pressing. Single sleeve with inner lyric bag. Recent online acquisition (2022). My original Ride the Lightning LP (also MFN) was purchased real time at HMV in London (a treasure of my collection), so I'm OK with the UK version here. The first copy I owned was the Combat press (same with Exodus) which goes for much more these days. This one will stick around unless JL shows up with a copy (and he might). But he wasn't much for thrash, so I don't have my hopes up.

7//85; 12/7/22 (new entry)

Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What! 1988 USA

As noted on my scribbling about Peace Sells, Megadeth is a band I largely ignored during their classic 80s thrash years. As I began to research this title, it became apparent that the general consensus is So Far is the weak link between their two recognized lauded titles Peace Sells and Rust in Peace. This comes as a surprise to me, as I hear the album no better or worse than the others. The opening two tracks alone set the table quite nicely. 'Into the Lungs of Hell' is a fully developed instrumental -  an unusual opening move - which then segues into the brilliant 'Set the World Afire'. I found the riffs here to be inventive and exciting. 'Mary Jane' is another highlight which adds in a distinct psychedelic element, not surprising given the title. Not sure I can name too many tracks from the 80s thrash era that incorporated 60s psych into the mix. The one track that seems to escape criticism is the slower and heavier 'In My Darkest Hour' (dedicated to Metallica's Cliff Burton). But if there's one thing I've noticed about thrash albums, it's the slower tracks pack more punch because of the setting. The constant fast pace takes a toll on the ears after awhile.

So what seems to be the problem here among the fan base? One common criticism is the production. It sounds perfectly fine, crisp, and thick to me. But then again I'm listening to the 2004 remaster and not the original. I'm left to guess then that much of this was improved upon. Or not, and folks still don't like it. Then there's the cover of The Sex Pistols' 'Anarchy in the UK'. It seems everyone loses their mind here, as they want to dis the album, and this gives them the ammo they need to do so. It's a pretty straightforward cover, and yes I'd agree it's entirely unnecessary. The problem is it's an awful song by an awful group. Not to say The Sex Pistols don't have their place in history, but songwriting isn't what they built their legacy on. One 3 minute skip track doesn't ruin the whole barrel.

For me, coming to this album some 31 years later, with no preconceived notions nor any kind of peer pressure, I thought it excellent. Lucky me I guess.

CD: 2004 Capitol

Excellent reissue with Mustaine's notes, photos,and lyrics.

Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? 1986 USA

My history with Megadeth pretty much begins and ends with their debut. I bought the highly anticipated Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! upon release, and was very disappointed at the time. Not sure why that was the case, but if memory serves, it all seemed a bit lightweight for 1985. Recently I bought a pile of classic thrash metal CDs for pennies on the dollar, and many were from Megadeth. Except for Killing... so it might be awhile before that puzzle gets solved. I suspect my opinion will have changed greatly.

And so in 1985, I just quit on Megadeth right then and there. Ha! So here we are some 33 years later with their sophomore outing, and I have a bunch of Megadeth to catch up on apparently (which works out, as noted above)... I don't have a whole lot to say here, except this really is the thrash classic others claim. It's very catchy as well. Back in 1986 it seemed to me there was Metallica and then... everyone else.

CD: 2010 Capitol (Argentina)

This is the same release as the 2004 remaster with insights from Mustaine, lyrics, and photos. Excellent reissue.