A Beginners Guide To Thrash Metal

By Ben Timpson /

2. Megadeth €“ Rust In Peace €“ 1990

One of, if not the most technical €œpure thrash€ album ever made. Megadeth main man and mastermind, Dave Mustaine, has that truly special ability to write great songs, even when showing off his ability, in all its glory. This is the first album that featured the most famous line up in Megadeth€™s ever revolving door of musicians. The words €˜prodigy€™ and €˜enigma€™ are thrown about a lot nowadays but when it comes to Marty Friedman, his guitar work, especially, on €˜Rust In Peace€™, then, they are more than appropriate. Just listen to his back and forth guitar trade €“ offs with Mustaine in Hangar 18 or his beautifully crafted lead passage in €˜Tornado of Souls€™, for cold, hard evidence. Mustaine€™s trademark sneer is at its peak here, and his vocals in €˜Lucretia€™ are a prime example. Many aficionados have pinpointed this album as having Thrash Metal€™s best bass guitar tone from Dave Ellefson€™s signature Jackson bass, and it is hard to argue. The Ed Repka artwork, incorporating band mascot Vic Rattlehead has become one of Heavy Metal€™s most recognised cover images, so much so that many second wave Thrash bands have sought out his services for their own releases.