Arguably Megadeth's strongest effort and a classic of early thrash, Peace Sells combines a punkish political awareness with a dark, threatening, typically heavy metal world-view, preoccupied with evil, the occult, and the like. The anthemic title track and "Wake Up Dead" are the two major standouts, and there is also a cover of Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious," which takes on an air of supernaturally induced paranoia in the album's context. The lines between hell and earth are blurred throughout the album, and the crashing, complex music backs up Dave Mustaine's apocalyptic vision of life as damnation – his limited vocal style is used to great effect, growling and snarling in a barely intelligible fashion under all the complicated guitar work. Vital, necessary thrash.

This LP should serve as a good introduction to Mahalia Jackson for those unfamiliar with her work. And that, unfortunately, would be a large number of listeners these days. Jackson died in 1972 and while a good deal of her catalog has been made available, hers is not a voice you hear much on the radio these days. (Her songs have turned up on a few recent soundtracks, however).