Review Summary: Released in early 1988, Dave Mustaine and company proved that they could take Thrash Metal to new heights. This was the third release from Megadeth, proving once and for all how political thay can get. There are stabs at the government for one, and the la
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Track 1: Into the Lungs of Hell
This is the first song on the album and it is the fastest. The beginning of the song has an acoustic guitar that slowly leads into Dave's ultra fast rhythm playing. There is no singing, just one hell of a guitar solo. Also, for an that is instrumental, this is one long song. Weighing in at 3:30, it is possibly one o the more innovative tracks from the album. It shows the true speed of thrash metal. But, long instrumentals do get tiring after a while. 3.5/5
Track 2: Set The World Afire
A song about apocalypse; can it get any better? The song starts out with staic and then a radio crackles on and a bomb hits. Once the bomb hits, a guitar starts and then the drums. Then, the singing comes in.
"Red flash clouds choking out the morning sky
They said it's never come, we knew it was a lie!"
It actually sounds like an apocalypse. The lyrics tend to get a little boring and the song basically repeats itself for nearly 5 minutes. On the first listen, this is a good song. But repeated listenings will turn this track into a skip. 3/5
Track 3: Anarchy in The U.K
Like they say, "third times a charm right?" This is a remake of a SEX PISTOLS song. This is where the album picks up. Dave Mustaine's sneer matches Johnny Rotten rather easily and Megadeth's guitars are more downtuned compared to the original. Honestly, this is one of the best remakes ive ever heard, it matches so well to the original and it makes you sing along (if you know the words) A true anthem of rebellion. 4.5/5
Track 4: Mary Jane
To start out, this is possibly the worst song off of the album. Very poor lyrics and some of the most lackluster and non-standout guitar work ever recorded. The song is so repetive it will actually force your hand to skip to the next track. Im not going to go into depth on this song, I hate it that much. 1/5
Track 5: 502
This song is about a car chase. No, it isnt that exciting but any song is better than MARY JANE. This song isn't much different than the previous track, but it does have some standout guitar work. A major solo in the middle of the song really shines and it is what holds the song together. There is an overdub of somebody getting into a vehicule, shutting the door and driving off. But besides that, this is a skip to some people. It is a song worth listening to every once in a while. Mainly when your driving, really amps you up. 2.5/5
Track 6:In My Darkest Hour
Possibly the best song Megadeth has written, recorded, and unleashed upon the world. My personal favorite due to the nature of the song. The song is about loss and a bad relationship.
"Won't you hold me again
You just laughed, ha ha, bitch!
My whle life is work built on past
But the time has come when all things shall pass
This good thing passed away!"
Starts out with an acoustic guitar strumming and it leads into a blast from all of the instruments. This track is really stand out becasue it doesn't have an actual chorus. There is absolutley nothing repetitive about the song at all and it has some major guitar play that leaves you hungry for more. This is also the longest song on the album. Topping out at 6:16. This track really shines due to incredible lyrics and some very superior guitar work. A true gem. 5/5
Track 7: Liar
I had never really given this song a listen, I let the cd play through one day and i actually really like this song. It has basic guitar work that stands out a bit due to the previous song that was very techinical. The lyrics in th song really go off on people who are worthless and lie. It doesn't have a very exciting chorus, and thats the only thing that brings the song down. It does end with Dave screaming "YOUR A ***ING LIAR!"
Which makes it better. I think, a least. The song doesn't stand out as much due to the tracks it is in between. But, it is a song that wont end up a skip. 3/5
Track 8: Hook In Mouth
This is one the heaviest and loudest songs that Megadeth has released. It also is very fast and never lets the tempo down. This is the final song on the album and is the second best (In My Darkest Hour is the first). The real thing that makes this the biggest stand out track possible, the anger against the PMRC. Beings this album was released at the height of the PMRC, it hit hard. The song talks about censorship and how it is forced upon the music industry, and life.
"Rewrites every story, every poem that ever was
Eliminates incompetance, and those who break the laws
Follow the instructions of the new ways' evil book of rules
Replacing the rights with wrongs, the files and recors in the schools."
The song then goes into a rant about FREEDOM and how we as citizens do not have it. The chorus is,
"F is for fighting,
R is for red
ancestors' blood in battles they've shed
E, we elect them
E, we ejectthem
in the land of the free, and the home of the brave
D, for your dying
O, your overture
M, they will cover your grave with manure
This spells out freedom, it means nothing to me,
As long as there's a PMRC!"
The guitar never lets up and it ends quick with a big bang. By far the best way to end an album. 5/5
Although it isn't the best album Megadeth has put out, it certainly has a few standout tracks. From the depression and bitterness of IN MYDARKEST HOUR to the pissed of anthem of HOOK IN MOUTH, it is a highly recommended album.
Album scoring: 3/5
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Recommended tracks
Anarchy in the U.k
In My Darkest Hour
Hook In Mouth
