Megadeth: Metal Sells And I Am Buying

“Can't say what's on my mind

Can't do what I really feel

In this bed I made for me

Is where I sleep,

I really feel I warn you of the fate

Proven true too late

Your tongue twists perverse

Come drink now of this curse A

nd now I fill your brain

I spin you round again

My poison fills your head

As I tuck you in your bed

You feel my fingertips

You won't forget my lips

You'll feel my cold breath

It's the kiss of death”
--Dave Mustaine of Megadeth; “Tornado of Souls” from Rust In Peace, 1990.

I recently went to a garage sale and snagged every remastered Megadeth CD. I had owned some and then sold them all on eBay as a big lot. Realizing soon after that is was a tactical error of judgment, I decided to find them “eventually” and simply bought a “Best of” collection.

I replayed three of them this weekend and was amazed at the dynamic qualities of each.

Rust in Peace is my favorite at this time because of the hard edge and clever lyrics. The most “accessible” to the general person is Countdown to Extinction as it seems to have the most “hits.” Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying was the third I played. I like that one a bit, although the misguided version of Ain’t Superstitious really does not belong on the album.

I often wondered why Megadeth is often viewed as “an also ran” when it comes to fan choices as I know the comparisons to Metallica exist. I blame leader Dave Mustaine for the comparisons as he just cannot let some things go. For those not in the know, Mustaine (lead guitarist and vocalist and visionary of Megadeth) was once a member of Metallica. Depending on which story is old at any given time, Mustaine was either too “under the influence,” too obnoxious, too different, wanted to be too much of the front man, or too pissed to stay in Metallica. The fallout affected his relationship with James Hetfield, though he has remained fairly friendly with Lars Ulrich.

Not that it is of consequence, Mustaine seems the one who cannot move on; which tends to hinder the efforts of Megadeth.

Silly posturing aside, I enjoyed the CDs on a second run-through of sorts by repurchasing them and enjoying them again. For a mere dollar per CD, quite a nice deal to own a very good chunk of the Megadeth catalogue for $9.00.