This infamous question has sparked widespread debate among die-hard fans. Which Megadeth album is superior: Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying or Rust In Peace?

Both are considered pioneers within the thrash metal genre, but they’ve also stood the test of time as one of the greatest metal albums of all-time.

Between the neoclassical powerhouse of Marty Friedman and the thunderous drumming of Gar Samuelson, it’s going to be a painful analysis of which one is musically superior.

In order to get to the bottom of which is better, we have to go track-by-track and narrow down the good from the great.

Holy Wars… The Punishment Due vs. Wake Up Dead

Holy Wars and Wake Up Dead are two of the most iconic openers in all of metal. While both are known for their extensive guitar solos scattered across each song, Holy Wars comes out on top for its masterful songwriting, arrangements, and overall intensity. Wake Up Dead may be a fan favorite, but it’s more of an instrumental rather than a thorough song from beginning-to-end.

Hangar 18 vs. The Conjuring

Hangar 18 vs. The Conjuring is a close call depending on who you ask. The Peace Sells track has gained notoriety after Dave Mustaine set out to never play it live again following his Christianity conversion. However, Hangar 18 remains one of the band’s signature hits for a reason. Trading insane solos between Mustaine and Friedman, the last 2 minutes alone are enough to convince anyone it’s the better choice.

Take No Prisoners vs. Peace Sells

Take No Prisoners and Peace Sells are two entirely different songs, however only one must win. The title track introduced the humorous lyrics and political themes that would become Megadeth’s trademark. In that sense, it’s identical to the theme of Take No Prisoners which is filled with dark satire including the line, “Your body has parts your country can spare.” Peace Sells is catchier and more melodic, but Take No Prisoners is an onslaught of riffs, solos, and tempo destruction. Complete with the sarcastic lyrics, this track is more accessible for headbangers.

Five Magics vs. Devils Island

There’s no contest when it comes to Five Magics vs. Devils Island. The vicious, rapid-fire delivery from Mustaine’s vocals on Devils Island is impressive, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the underrated gem that is Five Magics. From the sinister intro to the earth shattering lead guitar, it’s the type of song where every member is firing on all cylinders.

Based on my analysis so far, it looks like Peace Sells doesn’t even come close to the all-mighty Rust In Peace, but this is about breaking down each album and you can’t have two winners in a competition. These two masterpieces easily go hand-in-hand as the best technical thrash metal ever made.

Poison Was The Cure vs. Good Mourning/Black Friday

Megadeth’s sophomore album finally gets a chance to breathe with a fight between Poison Was The Cure and Good Mourning/Black Friday. It’s not really a fair fight considering one is a 3 minute jam and the other is a full blown epic. Black Friday features easily the most explicit lyrics of the band’s entire career. A gruesome story of a serial killer’s brutal massacre of unsuspecting victims in sync with a machine gun-like tempo. Meanwhile, Poison Was The Cure is often argued to be filler since it doesn’t hold up to the high standards of the remaining tracks. However, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about the best of the best and the worst song is still better than some of the best from other albums.

Lucretia vs. Bad Omen

Lucretia vs. Bad Omen can go either way for some. Lucretia is a great live track, because of its catchy lyrics and badass breakdowns. It’s often one of the more underappreciated songs on Rust which makes it more of a deep cut for die-hard fans. But, very few can capture the evil atmosphere of Bad Omen. Beginning with an eerie intro and quickly escalating into Mustaine’s most underrated riff of his career. Bad Omen wins for being arguably the peak of Megadeth’s black magic era.

I Ain’t Superstitious vs. Tornado Of Souls

I Ain’t Superstitous is a cover from Willie Dixon gone rogue with the band’s twist of thrash brilliance. It’s also seen as the weakest part of Peace Sells and usually labeled as filler. While it is the worst moment of the record, that doesn’t mean it lacks substance. Mustaine and Chris Poland trading blues solos and turning a forgotten 60’s song into a killer anthem is NOT filler by any stretch of the imagination. Unfortunately, this tune was chosen to go head-to-head with Tornado Of Souls. Not only does it contain one of the most memorable lead guitar thanks to Friedman, it’s often cited for having the best guitar solo in heavy metal history. Driven by a badass riff and speeding through each verse with anger and jealousy, Mustaine created the ultimate anti-love song and handed the victory to Tornado Of Souls.

Dawn Patrol/Rust In Peace… Polaris vs. My Last Words

Of course, we’re not going to qualify Dawn Patrol as a full track so instead we’ll combine it with the track that comes after it, serving as a prologue similar to Good Mourning. And that leaves us with the final championship match between Dawn Patrol/Rust In Peace… Polaris vs. My Last Words. The Rust In Peace finale is introduced by an intimidating bassline from David Ellefson. Detailing the tainted wasteland of a post-apocalyptic earth, Mustaine delivers a vocal style unlike anything else and it’s exclusive to Dawn Patrol. It makes the short 2 minutes a menacing preamble to the relentless title track. A song that’s made distinctive thanks to the merciless drumming of the late Nick Menza. An absolute beast from start to finish filled with pounding riffs and drill sergeant vocals describing the toxic aftermath of nuclear warfare.

But…

My Last Words continues to be a fan favorite for multiple reasons. Opening with an elaborate bass solo by Ellefson, everything becomes larger than life with the massive riff and Mustaine’s fatal tale of Russian roulette. The anxiety of a nervous player is perfectly captured with the breakneck speed of each chord progression. And then listeners reach the climax which comes in the form of Mustaine’s most underrated solo: technical, melodic, and ruthless. The last minute still doesn’t let up as Mustaine, Ellefson, and Poland call out to the audience, “You…Next victim…You…Next to die!” That last wave of aggression put the final nail in Peace Sells and left everybody speechless.

THAT’S how you end a thrash metal album perfectly.

But obviously this is all subjective and any metalhead could lean one way or the other. Nobody is wrong, because these are the best of the best.

Peace Sells is often the preferred album since Rust has proven to be more popular and commercially successful, leaving Peace Sells as the underrated, more pure thrash metal record. However, it’s impossible to deny the musical maturity and band lineup found on Rust In Peace.

A prime example of a technical thrash metal masterpiece that can easily stand as the peak of heavy metal as a whole.