25 Years Of One Of The Greatest Thrash Metal Albums Ever Recorded

Source // www.musicradar.com

25 years ago to the day, Megadeth released not only their finest moment but also one of the greatest Thrash Metal records ever recorded.

From “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” – one of the finest songs in Thrash history and an exercise in precision Metal performed to perfection – to “Rust In Peace…Polaris” – a fittingly apocalyptic end – Dave Mustaine had clearly realised his complete vision for Megadeth with 1990’s Rust In Peace by recording a pinnacle of Thrash and attacking with a force to rival a nuclear detonation.

Backed by a weapons-grade, crystal clear production job, Megadeth’s intricate riffing and earth-shattering speed created an album that was machine-like, yet never soulless, and a quarter of a century later still packs a considerable punch. One of precious few albums that warrants the moniker ‘all killer, no filler’, Rust In Peace ushered in an era where the likes of Voivod, Annihilator and Coroner could showcase their virtuosity without fear. These were Thrash musicians who could really play and Megadeth were at the forefront; primed and ready to unleash their arsenal of tricks.

The band were undeniably at their peak in 1990. Mustaine had recruited shred legend Marty Friedman (Cacophony) to provide the stunning guitar acrobatics while the rhythm section of Dave Ellefson and Nick Menza locked into a relentless groove; technique and ruthless artistry combining to produce incomparable Thrash Metal with no let-up and no mercy….it still sounds futuristic today.

Listing highlights would be unnecessary – fans are fully aware of this great albums timeless appeal – and and no track should ever be skipped; the greatest line up in Megadeth’s history producing the greatest album in Megadeth’s long, illustrious career.

Happy 25th, Rust In Peace. You’re still as clinical as a military operation and we love you for it!