Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! – Megadeth (1986)
Overview
Released on September 19, 1986, Peace Sells... But Who’s Buying? is the second studio album by Megadeth and the record that firmly established them as one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal. With sharper production, more sophisticated songwriting, and politically charged lyrics, the album marked a major leap forward from their raw debut.
Led by Dave Mustaine, Megadeth refined their sound into something more technical and socially aware, tackling topics like politics, media manipulation, and war.
Tracklist
- Wake Up Dead
- The Conjuring
- Peace Sells
- Devil’s Island
- Good Mourning / Black Friday
- Bad Omen
- I Ain’t Superstitious
- My Last Words
Credits (Core Lineup)
- Dave Mustaine – vocals, lead & rhythm guitar
- Chris Poland – lead guitar
- David Ellefson – bass
- Gar Samuelson – drums
Production:
- Produced by Randy Burns & Dave Mustaine
- Label: Capitol Records (originally Combat Records, later re-released)
Fun Facts & Trivia
- The bass intro of “Peace Sells,” played by David Ellefson, became iconic and was later used as the opening theme for MTV News.
- The album cover features Vic Rattlehead in front of a ruined United Nations building, reinforcing the album’s political themes.
- “I Ain’t Superstitious” is a cover of the Willie Dixon blues classic, showcasing the band’s versatility.
- This was Megadeth’s first album with major label backing (Capitol Records), boosting its production and distribution.
- The album is often cited as one of the greatest thrash metal albums of all time.
Did You Know? 🤘
- Dave Mustaine wrote many of the riffs during a period of heavy substance abuse, yet the compositions are highly technical and precise.
- “Wake Up Dead” features complex time changes that became a hallmark of Megadeth’s style.
- The title track criticizes stereotypes about rebellion and political disengagement among youth.
- The album significantly expanded Megadeth’s international audience.
Album Sales & Legacy
- Certified Platinum in the United States (over 1 million copies sold).
- Considered a defining album of thrash metal alongside releases from Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.
- Frequently appears on “greatest metal albums” lists by major music publications.
Get Megadeth albums from Amazon
Megadeth Full Discography: Complete Guide to Albums & Covers Collection (1985--2016)
More Albums:
Megadeth - Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)
Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Megadeth - Rust in Peace (1990)
Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction (1992)
