MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good 12" Vinyl LP ALbum

"Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" is the debut album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was originally released in 1985 on Combat Records.

The album's artwork, featuring a plastic skull with tinfoil, was not intended to be the original artwork. Mustaine wanted a picture of Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead on the cover, however the studio lost the artwork, so they improvised the low-budget replacement.

 

MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good

Music Genre:  Metal, Hard Rock  
 Production details: 

Produced by Dave Mustaine and Karat Faye

Recorded and mixed at Indigo Ranch Studios, Malibu and Crystal Sound Labs, Hollywood. December 1984 and January 1985.

Album design: Donald J. Munz

Photography: Dan Rizzi

Album Packaging:  Original custom inner sleeve with album details, lyrics and photos. 
Record Label:  Music for Nations, Roadrunner Productions, RR 9786  
Media Format:  12" Vinyl LP Record 160grams 

Year & Country:

 
1985 Made in Holland  
Band Members and Musicians on: MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good
Track Listing of: MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good

    Side One:
  1. Last Rites / Loved to Deat h
  2. Killing is my Business... and business is good!
  3. Skull Benath the skin
  4. These Boots
    Side Two:
  1. Rattlehead
  2. Chosen Ones
  3. Looking down for the cross
  4. Mechanix
Photos of the LP's cover: MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good
Photo of MEGADETH Killing is my Business and Business is Good Album's Front Cover 

High Resolution Photo Megadeth - Killing is my Business ... ... and Business is Good Vinyl Record

High Resolution Photo Megadeth - Killing is my Business ... ... and Business is Good Vinyl Record

High Resolution Photo Megadeth - Killing is my Business ... ... and Business is Good Vinyl Record

High Resolution Photo Megadeth - Killing is my Business ... ... and Business is Good Vinyl Record  

Index of MEGADETH Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

Band Description:

  Megadeth is a thrash metal band that was formed in 1983 by Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. The band has released over 15 studio albums, selling over 50 million records worldwide. Megadeth is considered to be one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.

  History

  After being fired from Metallica in 1983, Dave Mustaine returned to Los Angeles and formed Megadeth with David Ellefson, Greg Handevidt, and Dijon Carruthers. The band's first album, "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!", was released in 1985 and showcased the band's aggressive thrash metal sound. However, the band's early years were marked by numerous lineup changes, with Mustaine being the only constant member.

  Megadeth's breakthrough album, "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?", was released in 1986 and featured the hit single "Peace Sells". The album's political lyrics and heavy sound appealed to a growing audience of thrash metal fans, and it established Megadeth as a major force in the genre. The band's next two albums, "So Far, So Good... So What!" and "Rust in Peace", continued to cement their reputation as one of the top thrash metal bands.

  In the early 1990s, Megadeth's popularity began to wane, and the band struggled with substance abuse and internal conflicts. However, they rebounded with the release of "Countdown to Extinction" in 1992, which became their most commercially successful album to date. The album's more accessible sound and lyrics appealed to a wider audience, and it earned Megadeth a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.

  Over the next two decades, Megadeth continued to release albums and tour extensively, maintaining their status as one of the top thrash metal bands in the world. They have faced numerous lineup changes, with Mustaine remaining the only consistent member throughout the band's history. In 2020, the band released their 16th studio album, "Dystopia", which received critical acclaim and earned the band their first Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

  Musical Style

  Megadeth's musical style is characterized by fast, aggressive guitar riffs, complex song structures, and politically charged lyrics. Dave Mustaine's distinctive guitar playing style, which emphasizes intricate solos and rapid-fire picking, has influenced countless heavy metal guitarists. The band's sound is heavily influenced by classical music, with many of their songs featuring complex arrangements and multiple movements.

  Lyrically, Megadeth often tackles political and social issues, including war, government corruption, and environmentalism. Many of their songs also address personal struggles, such as addiction and mental illness. Mustaine's lyrics are often introspective and vulnerable, and they have resonated with a generation of heavy metal fans.

  Impact

  Megadeth's impact on the world of heavy metal cannot be overstated. Along with Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, they are considered to be one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, and they have inspired countless heavy metal bands over the past three decades. Their aggressive sound and politically charged lyrics have influenced the development of numerous sub-genres of heavy metal, including death metal, black metal, and progressive metal.