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So last we took a look at Motörhead iconic 1979 hit, Overkill. The album that would help define what Thrash Metal (not to mention Speed Metal) is, it’s enduring legacy has withstood the test of time. Not long after this classic record, bands all over the world donned the mantle of Thrash Metal, and creating some of the most head-banging albums out there. In the United States, this resulted in what would become the “Big 4” of Thrash Metal. One such band, Metallica, has already appeared twice on the Heavy Metal Otaku blog, and you already know my opinions on that band. Today’s review will cover another cog in that giant machine, and the band in question...is Megadeth!
Ah Megadeth. If you’ll recall from my top 10 singers & bands post from way back in 2014, you remember that I put this band in the “Honorable Mentions” section. Right alongside Metallica no less. Much like the previously mentioned band, Megadeth’s career has definitely shifted over the course of time, not to mention the frontman of the band, Dave Mustaine. He’s become quite wonky in recent years, but you won’t have to worry about anything bad with today’s album review, as it’s certainly a fine release. So grow your hair so long it covers your face & goes past your shoulders, and take a look at a review for Megadeth’s first ever release, Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! Let the review begin!
Background
During the earlier days of Metallica, Dave Mustaine was the lead guitarist for the band. However, drinking, substance abuse, violent behavior, and coming to blows with James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich, he was soon fired from the band. A short 2 months later, he & David Ellefson (Bassist) formed Megadeth in Los Angeles, California. Desiring revenge from getting kicked out of Metallica, he wanted his band to be far more heavier & faster than his former compatriots, and Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! embodies this. Given a mere $8000 to record the debut album, with a $4000 dollar bonus later on, the band decided to spend most of the album money on drugs, liquor, & food, and because of this the band fired their producer, and produced the album themselves. So, on June 12th, 1985, Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! was release to the world for all to listen, getting good reviews in the process.
It should be noted that Dave Mustaine was not originally going to be the singer of Megadeth. The band was looking for one, but after almost 6 months, Dave stepped up and became the lead singer, while also serving as the band's primary lyricist, main songwriter and co-lead and rhythm guitarist.
Basic Description
What Kill em All was to Metallica, this album is to Megadeth!
I’m not joking. Despite Dave Mustaine wanting revenge, and trying to be more than what Metallica was at the time, the two albums are quite similar. Highly rooted in Thrash, fast & intense, amateur recording, etc. I’m not saying this is an insult. Quite the opposite, in fact! While the two bands didn’t want anything to do with each other, each one’s first album has really stood the test of time. Kill em All added to the foundation of Thrash, and Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! did so as well. Sometimes, vengeance can create...more than it can destroy.
Best Track
Much like Kill em All, pretty much everything on Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! is 100% pure 80s Thrash. Despite the dated audio quality (More on this below), you have a classic record in your hand, and one that’s pretty damn fast to boot! With perhaps a moment or two within a couple tracks, the music on here is more on the speedier side of Thrash Metal. Wanting to get back at his former bandmates in Metallica, Dave & the rest of the band went for speed & intensity for Megadeth’s first release. It really shows, as none of them seem to take it easy. Even when it slows down for those few moments I talked about a second ago, the band is coming at you with the force of a thousand sledgehammers. Once you’re done listening to this CD, check your head to see if it’s cracked & bleeding!
Worst Track
Really the only bad thing about this album is the dated audio quality. You can definitely tell it’s age, and while the re-issue is definitely touched up, the dated quality of the whole release can still be heard. If there was one bad thing about this album, it would be this.
However, if I wanted to be a little picky, I would chose Chosen Ones as the worst track of this album, but even then it’s still a great song! Dave & the boys are giving it all they got, and the end result is damn good. The reason why I’m some might be picky is because of the run time. At just 2 minutes & 56 seconds, Chosen Ones seems to go by so fast, you may have to listen to it a second, maybe even a third time, to absorb everything going through your still. Still a great song, but maybe a little too fast.
Chosen Ones
Other
If you’d like to listen to this album before you purchase it, check out the link below.
Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
Overall Impression & Rating
As I said earlier, Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! is the start of a fine career for Megadeth. It might sound a little dated, but it’s another example of the power of Thrash Metal back in the 80s. As with Kill em All, this album is still talked about fondly to this very day, as it’s enduring legacy keep it alive here in 2016. If you’re turned off by Metallica’s reputation, the maybe Megadeth’s first will be more up your alley.
Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! gets a 9 out of 10.
So this concludes part 1 of the Summer of Thrash. The beginnings of this sub-genre of Heavy Metal was most certainly a creative time in music, and the foundation that was built has stayed around, letting others put their own structures on it. We’ll take a look at one such Thrash band from Europe next month, but before that we’ve got another 20-year anniversary within the gaming community later this month, and it might just make you.....quake? See you then.
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