Classic Album Retrospect (Peace Sells... But Who's Buying - Megadeth)

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

 Peace Sells... is the second is the second studio album from classic thrash/heavy metal band Megadeth. The album was originally released in '86 but has since seen multiple re-releases and re-masterings by different producers. The album sold reasonably well and consequently has received a platinum rating in both the US and Canada and a silver rating in the UK. At release the album was met with average reviews with the average score received a three out of five.

 Does peace still sell, lets find out.

 Notable Tracks

 Wake Up Dead - Wake up Dead is the first track from the album but is definitely not a throwaway track. Wake Up Dead progresses extremely well with its short runtime. Wake Up Dead features a good balance of solos and vocals to create a strong first track to start.

 Peace Sells - Peace Sells is the title track of the album and was the second single from the album. Peace Sells features politically driven lyrics on top of a catchy as hell bassline. Peace Sells also evolves well as the vocal style changes as the song progresses from a spoken word to a hard driven aware thrash track. 

 Good Mourning / Black Friday - Good Mourning is the instrumental intro to Black Friday, Good Mourning is fast paced instrumental with a desert trek tone to it. Good Mourning leads into the track Black Friday which is equally as fast as the intro. Black Friday has a very distinct mix where vocals and instrumentals are on the same level making for a real thrash feel. 

 I Ain't Superstitious - I Ain't Superstitious is the penultimate track on the original track listing and takes a different tone entirely compared to the earlier tracks in the track list. I Ain't Superstitious was originally performed by Howlin' Wolf twenty years prior but still manages to keep the song alive by sounding very different to the original.

 In Conclusion, Peace Sells... is still a solid album, although most thrash bands from the period have died out or evolved into different genres; Megadeth still try to create a good album. Peace Sells is still the most relevant track on the listing with politically driven lyrics but other tracks from the album are still a joy to listen to.

 To finish, here is the music video for the second single from the album, Peace Sells (video linked here for mobile users)

Classic Album Retrospect (Reign in Blood - Slayer)

Reign in Blood - Slayer

 Reign in Blood was the third studio album from American thrash metal gods Slayer (and possibly the most loyal member of the Big Four). Originally released in 1986 through Def Jam Recordings, Reign in Blood was the first slayer record to enter the Billboard 200; debuting at #127 and peaking later at #94. Due to it dark themes and overall genre, Reign in Blood received zero radio play at the time but is still crowned as the defining album from Slayer. Reign in Blood was met with rave reviews from both underground and mainstream critics. Alongside this, Reign in Blood is certified Gold in the US.

 All these accolade are all well and good but does the album still hold up today? Let's find out.

Notable Tracks 

 Angel of Death - Angel of Death is the first track from the record and starts with style. Angel of Death is undoubtedly the most recognizable Slayer track purely because of the scream used in the intro. Angel of Death's lyrics are about the experiments performed by Josef Mengele in the Auschwitz Concentration Camps and ultimately lead to accusations that Slayer were Nazi sympathizers. Angel of Death is a fan favorite for good reason,    
 Necrophobic - Is the shortest track from the record at only 1:41 but still holds a lot of material. Necrophobic starts at a breakneck speed and only slows to lead the listen into a false sense of security. Necrophobic features gory lyrics and an awesome thrashy solo to complete a bite-size package of Slayer action.

 Jesus Saves - Jesus Saves starts a lot slower than you would expect a Slayer track to but slowly builds for some crazy thrash. Jesus Saves stands at less than three minutes but still has the guts to cram in three solos alongside some hard hitting lyrics. Jesus Saves is rarely played live but would guarantee a killer pit. 

 Postmortem - Postmortem is featured towards the end of the record but isn't any less crazy than previous tracks. Postmortem takes a slower pace which adds a lot to the atmosphere of the track. Postmotem picks up the pace towards the end for a final flurry and adds the lone and powerful lyric "Do you want to die?". After the vocals finish the track ends suddenly for a final surprise.

 Raining Blood - Postmortem ends and the iconic rain begins to play and with a smash of thunder the guitars roar into life. Raining Blood focuses on Hanneman's and King's guitar work with good reason, because its immense. Raining Blood builds constantly until it's a steamy hot mess of guitars and drums. Thunder and the rain continues, Raining Blood ends how it begins.

 After a few headbanging filled playthroughs, Reign in Blood has definitely aged well and still holds the intensity it did when it was first released back in the 80s. Reign in Blood only seems old in the sense that now thrash band of today could match that ferocity. Although Slayer may be growing older they still know how to put on a great show live as demonstrated at Sonisphere this year (live review here).

Classic Album Retrospect (Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden)

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden 

 Iron Maiden is the debut album from British demigods of Metal Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden was first released in the February of 1980 but was re-released and remastered in 1998. At its original the album peaked at forth with the two singles, Running Free and Sanctuary, peaking at thirty-forth and twenty-ninth respectively. At its release, the album was met with instant critical acclaim receiving positive reviews; more recently the album was added to the "Albums you must hear before you die" list alongside the later release of Number of the Beast. Iron Maiden is certified platinum in both the UK and Canada as well as gold in Germany.

 The real question is, has the album stood the test of time? Let's find out.

Notable Tracks

 Prowler - Prowler is the first track from the first side and starts the record with style. Starting with a muted riff which is built upon by more riffs and topped off with some undoubtedly cool vocals and lyrics. Prowler is quite fast paced but still progresses well. Near the two minute mark the song comes alive with an awesome bridge that build with each instrument added individually. A deserving first track and could have been a single in its own right.

 Sanctuary - Sanctuary is the second single from the album but originally was only included on the American release. Sanctuary has a similar sound to Prowler but has a more hard rock feel to it which is helped by the theme of the lyrics. Sanctuary also features an audio sample of a police siren which adds a lot of personality and attitude to the track. Sanctuary finishes in style with a riff that increases in pitch until a flared ending.

 Remember Tomorrow - Remember Tomorrow takes a different angle than the previous two tracks and has a more somber and mellow feel. Remember Tomorrow is more vocally driven with some pitched screams that compliment the instruments well. Toward the two and a half minute mark that song breaks into some crazy guitar that calms to revisit the feel of the beginning of the track. 

 Running Free - Running Free is the first single taken from Iron Maiden and with good reason. Running Free takes the same approach as Sanctuary but builds upon it. Running Free features some backing vocals during the chorus that is surprisingly catchy for a metal track.    

 Phantom of the Opera - It is rare that a band acknowledges their debut material; let alone debut material that wasn't released as a single. Despite this, Phantom of the Opera is still one of the most recognizable Iron Maiden riffs out there. Phantom of the Opera is the longest track on the album so has plenty of time to progress and establish itself. The vocals on this track seem to flow with the guitars which is quintessential to keeping a long track entertaining. 

 After a few intense playthroughs, Iron Maiden stands the test of time in most places. The tracks from the A-side (Prowler, Running Free, Remember Tomorrow, Phantom of the Opera) and Sanctuary all stand the test of time reasonably well but on the other hand, the B-side (Transylvania, Strange World, Charlotte the Harlot, Iron Maiden) are quite dated; especially with the use of a completely instrumental track. Despite the B-side, Iron Maiden as a band has done more than enough to solidify their place in the metal hall of fame. (Even though they don't tour in the UK as much as they should)