Rust in Peace: The Inside Story of the Megadeth Masterpiece

I recently finished reading the book "Rust In Peace" by Dave Mustaine and Joel Selvin.

First off, let me say that the album itself is often considered one of the greatest metal albums ever made. It's an intense display of speed and technical skill, with powerful lyrics touching on political and social issues, war, religion, and personal introspection. Released in 1990, "Rust in Peace" marked the debut of what many consider to be Megadeth's ultimate and best lineup: Dave Mustaine (vocals, guitar), Marty Friedman (guitar), David Ellefson (bass), and Nick Menza (drums). I first heard this album when I was just 14, and even today, it still has that fresh and captivating sound.

Now, onto the book itself. Published on the album's 30th anniversary in September 2020, I was really excited to read it as a devoted fan of the record. I preordered it and eagerly started reading it as soon as it arrived.

The book is not a cohesive work by a single author. Instead, it presents a chronological collection of perspectives from various people associated with the band during the album's creation. This approach made the book feel a bit disconnected and lacking a unified narrative.

Another aspect that bothered me was that Dave Mustaine always had the final word in the book, responding to any comments that didn't align with his own perspective. It reminded me of a quote from Julian Barnes' "The Sense of an Ending" that says, "History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation.”

To be honest, I was disappointed. I had always held the album in high regard and wanted to relive the process of its creation. But, as they say, sometimes it's better not to know how things come together behind the scenes. At times, I even questioned if the band members themselves had truly written the album, as everything felt somewhat chaotic and unplanned.

Towards the end of the book, I actually decided to skip the chapter explaining the songs. I did this to preserve my enjoyment of the music itself!

While there were some enjoyable moments for hardcore metal fans, overall, the book detracts from the mystique of the album. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it to metal fans, as it takes away from the magic that surrounds the music.