Megadeth - Mary Jane - 12" Vinyl Maxi-Single - USA Release

- A furious slice of 80s thrash where riffs snarl, nightmares bleed, and vinyl grooves scream louder than the dead

High Resolution Photo MEGADETH MARY JANE USA Vinyl Record

This slab of wax is a séance, man, a shriek from the crypt dressed up in Capitol’s shiny sleeves. “Mary Jane” isn’t just a song, it’s Mustaine carving his teenage nightmares into the grooves with a buzzsaw, sneering at you from behind walls of amp-fire and double-kick thunder.

Flip it and you’re ambushed by “Hook in Mouth” and “My Last Words,” two grenades lobbed at complacency, detonating in your skull long after the stylus lifts. This isn’t just thrash—it’s black coffee for the damned, served at 45 RPM.

"Mary Jane" Album Description:

The MEGADETH - "Mary Jane" 12" Vinyl MAXI-SINGLE - USA Release is an iconic musical piece that showcases the talent and creativity of the American thrash metal band, Megadeth. Released in 1988, this maxi-single offers a unique perspective on the concept of "Mary Jane", which is often associated with marijuana. Contrary to popular belief, the song delves into the dark tale of a girl who embraces witchcraft and ultimately faces a tragic fate.

Megadeth, formed in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine, quickly rose to prominence within the thrash metal scene. Known for their aggressive sound, intricate guitar work, and thought-provoking lyrics, the band's discography has left an indelible mark on the heavy metal genre. "Mary Jane" stands as a prime example of Megadeth's ability to explore unconventional themes while maintaining their signature style.

Although the title "Mary Jane" might initially evoke thoughts of marijuana, the song takes a different path. It tells the story of a girl who becomes entangled in the world of witchcraft, seeking solace and forgiveness from her father. However, her pursuit of dark magic ultimately leads to dire consequences. As a form of punishment, she is buried alive, trapped in a coffin with no escape.

This narrative is a departure from the usual lyrical themes associated with Megadeth's music. Instead of focusing on political or social issues, the band delves into the realm of the occult, exploring the consequences of dabbling in forbidden practices. The song showcases Megadeth's versatility as songwriters, proving their ability to tackle a wide range of topics while maintaining their distinct musical identity.

The maxi-single format of the release offers fans a comprehensive package, featuring not only the original studio version of "Mary Jane", but also additional tracks that complement the main song. These extra tracks can provide further insight into the band's musical evolution and creative experimentation during that period. In addition, the 12" vinyl format enhances the listening experience, allowing for a more immersive and dynamic sound.

The USA release of the "Mary Jane" maxi-single is a testament to Megadeth's popularity and impact within the American music scene during the late 1980s. Thrash metal was reaching its peak, and Megadeth stood at the forefront of the movement, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. The release of this maxi-single demonstrates the band's commitment to delivering quality music and engaging their audience in a thought-provoking manner.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy / Thrash Metal

Producers:
  • Dave Mustaine – Producer
  • Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Guitars

    Thrash metal’s original grudge match: one guy, one guitar, and enough spite to power Los Angeles for decades.

    Dave Mustaine is the razor-edged singer-guitarist who turned getting fired into a lifelong fuel source. To my ears, the story starts in Panic (late 1970s–1981), where those early riffs already sounded like trouble with a pick. From 1981–1983 he was Metallica’s original lead guitarist and co-writer, shaping key early songs before his April 11, 1983 dismissal. Back in Los Angeles he formed Megadeth in 1983 and has fronted it ever since, steering speed, spite, and precision through decades. Side quests like MD.45 (1996) just prove the volume never really drops.

    Dave Mustaine Wiki
  • Michael Wagener – Producer, Mix Engineer
  • Michael Wagener – Producer, Sound Engineer

    The German set of ears that can make a wall of amps sound lethal, not muddy.

    Michael Wagener is the German-born producer/engineer who taught heavy guitars to sound huge without turning into soup. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s he helped shape Accept's steel-plate punch, then in the 1980s Los Angeles grind he became a go-to set of ears for Dokken—tight, glossy, and still mean. By the late 1980s he was guiding arena-sized hard rock for Skid Row and White Lion, and in the 1990s he kept that balance of bite and clarity alive for bands like Extreme. I can spot his signature fast: drums snapping, guitars spread wide, and reverb kept on a short leash. From his WireWorld room in Tennessee, he mixes like a craftsman: edges sharp, low end disciplined, vocals sitting just forward enough to start trouble.

    Michael Wagener Wiki
  • Paul Lani – Producer, Sound Engineer
    Paul Lani is a Grammy-winning producer and engineer known for his polished yet powerful sound. Active through the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with artists ranging from Megadeth to Ozzy Osbourne, helping shape the era’s heavy metal and hard rock recordings with clarity and punch.
  • Randy Burns – Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician
  • Randy Burns – Record Producer & Sound Engineer

    He captured thrash when it still sounded dangerous, not "clean."

    Randy Burns is the producer/engineer I trust when metal has to hit hard without turning into mush. I clocked him in 1986 at Music Grinder, co-producing and engineering Megadeth's "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" with Mustaine: snare like a fist, bass tight, guitars sharp enough to shave with. He makes chaos readable, no fake gloss. His 80s run is a straight line of troublemaking: Suicidal Tendencies (engineer, 1983), Possessed "Seven Churches" (producer, 1985), Dark Angel "Darkness Descends" (producer/engineer, 1986), Death "Scream Bloody Gore" (producer, 1987), Nuclear Assault "Survive" (1988) and "Handle with Care" (1989), then Kreator "Coma of Souls" (1990).

    Randy Burns Wiki
  • Tim Carr – Executive Producer.
    Tim Carr was a record executive and producer known for his work at Capitol Records during the 1980s. He played an important role in bringing heavy metal and alternative acts to a wider audience, ensuring that bands like Megadeth received the support and distribution needed to break through internationally.
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Mark Wilkinson – Cover Art.
    Mark Wilkinson is a renowned British artist celebrated for his intricate and surreal album covers. Best known for his work with Marillion, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth, his striking imagery combines fantasy and symbolism, making his artwork instantly recognizable to metal and prog-rock fans.
Photography:
  • Pete Cronin – Photography
    Pete Cronin has been a photographer for over 30 years and has photographed rock bands like: Demon Pact, Avenger, Metallica, Exciter, English Dogs, Plasmatics, Briar, Bow Wow, Thin Lizzy, Alice in Chains, Megadeth and others.
Label & Catalognr:

Capitol Records – 12CL 489

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Maxi-Single
Total Weight: 230g

Year & Country:

1988 – USA

Additional Credits Information:

Mark Wilkinson – The Artist Who Bridged Boogie Rock and Heavy Metal

Mark Wilkinson, born in 1952 in Windsor, England, is one of Britain’s most prolific and versatile album cover artists. His name appears on everything from the polished rock of Status Quo’s “In The Army Now” (1986) to the fierce thrash of Megadeth’s “Mary Jane” (1988). Known for his surreal, detailed, and conceptually rich imagery, Wilkinson became a visual storyteller for generations of rock and metal fans — his art defining eras as vividly as the music itself.

From Boogie Rock to Metal Iconography

Wilkinson’s work on Status Quo’s “In The Army Now” showcased his ability to adapt his style for a mainstream British rock audience. The sleeve’s clean, militaristic design reflected the band’s shift into a polished 1980s sound — yet behind that restraint was an artist known for painting elaborate fantasy and conceptual worlds. It demonstrated his finesse in merging visual storytelling with commercial clarity, marking one of his rare ventures outside the progressive and heavy metal realms.

Crossing the Atlantic – Megadeth’s “Mary Jane”

Just two years later, Wilkinson’s name appeared on the U.S. release of Megadeth’s “Mary Jane” — a surprise for collectors who associated him with European prog and metal acts. His credit on this 12" maxi-single signaled a rare crossover into American thrash. While stylistically distinct from his more ornate British works, the artwork shared his hallmarks of precision and atmosphere. Multiple sources, including Metal Archives and Discogs, confirm the credit, cementing his global reach in the rock and metal visual landscape.

A Unified Vision

Whether crafting the conceptual tension of In The Army Now or the darker energy of Mary Jane, Wilkinson’s work demonstrates a rare adaptability — one artist fluent in both boogie rock’s grounded realism and heavy metal’s mythic grandeur. His designs remain a visual bridge between worlds: hand-painted, symbolic, and unmistakably analog in an era that prized imagination over pixels.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Dave Mustaine – Lead Vocals, Guitars
  • Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Guitars

    Thrash metal’s original grudge match: one guy, one guitar, and enough spite to power Los Angeles for decades.

    Dave Mustaine is the razor-edged singer-guitarist who turned getting fired into a lifelong fuel source. To my ears, the story starts in Panic (late 1970s–1981), where those early riffs already sounded like trouble with a pick. From 1981–1983 he was Metallica’s original lead guitarist and co-writer, shaping key early songs before his April 11, 1983 dismissal. Back in Los Angeles he formed Megadeth in 1983 and has fronted it ever since, steering speed, spite, and precision through decades. Side quests like MD.45 (1996) just prove the volume never really drops.

    Dave Mustaine Wiki
  • David Ellefson – Bass, Backing Vocals
  • Dave Ellefson – Bass guitarist

    He’s the low-end rivet gun behind Megadeth’s sharpest turns.

    Dave Ellefson is the bass guitarist who gave Megadeth its steel spine while I watched thrash grow fangs. From 1983–2002, then again 2010–2021, he locked in with Mustaine like a rivet gun—tight, fast, no wobble—and he’s the only other guy who rode every album and tour from 1985 until the band imploded. I hear his pocket in the "Peace Sells" years and the clipped precision of the "Rust in Peace" lineup. Early on he played fingerstyle, later leaning on a pick for that crisp attack. After 2002 he formed F5 (2003–2013), did outside sessions, and in the 2020s jumped into The Lucid (2020–present) and launched Dieth (2022). It’s musical architecture with a street-fight grin.

    Dave Ellefson Wiki
  • Jeff Young – Guitars
    Jeff Young joined Megadeth for the So Far, So Good… So What! era, bringing technical precision to the guitar work on this release.
  • Chuck Behler – Drums
    Former drum tech for Gar Samuelson, Chuck Behler stepped in as Megadeth’s drummer and powered the rhythm section during the late 1980s.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Mary Jane (4:25) Single
    Released as a single from So Far, So Good… So What!. Known for its dark lyrics inspired by folklore.
Video: Megadeth - Mary Jane (Essen, 1988)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Hook in Mouth (4:40)
  2. My Last Words (4:55)
    Closing track from Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, an older fan favorite included here as a B-side.
Video: Megadeth - Hook in Mouth (Essen, 1988)
Album Front Cover Photo
High-resolution front cover of Megadeth's 1988 USA 12 inch maxi-single Mary Jane. The artwork depicts the band’s skeletal mascot Vic Rattlehead crawling from a grave at night, dressed in a tattered business suit. His skeletal hands claw the earth as he emerges in front of a tombstone that reads 'RIP Mary Jane' with additional epitaph lines. A full moon glows behind a barren tree, casting eerie shadows across a darkened, mist-filled landscape. The Megadeth logo in bold gold and red lettering dominates the bottom of the cover, reinforcing the heavy metal aesthetic with gothic atmosphere.

The front cover of Megadeth’s Mary Jane 12" maxi-single (USA, 1988) is dominated by the band’s skeletal mascot, Vic Rattlehead, clawing his way up from the ground. He wears a ragged business suit, his metallic skull-face glinting under moonlight, while skeletal hands tear through the soil as if escaping the grave.

Behind him stands a tombstone inscribed with “RIP Mary Jane” and a haunting epitaph: “From the earth / Up through the trees / I can hear her calling me.” The letters glow as if illuminated by an otherworldly light, intensifying the supernatural theme of the artwork.

A pale full moon casts a ghostly aura over a barren tree on the right side, amplifying the eerie mood with stark silhouettes. At the bottom, the iconic Megadeth logo blazes in fiery gold and red, a bold reminder of the band’s ferocity in the thrash metal movement of the late 1980s.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Megadeth's 1988 USA 12 inch maxi-single Mary Jane. The design features a deep maroon background with the Megadeth logo at the top in gold and red. Centered text lists the track titles: A-side Mary Jane, B-side Hook in Mouth, and My Last Words, along with composer credits (Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson) and production credits (Dave Mustaine, Paul Lani, Randy Burns). Additional credits include artwork by The Artful Dodgers Ltd, illustration by Mark Wilkinson, and photography by Pete Cronin. At the bottom, a square band photo shows the four members of Megadeth with long hair and intense expressions. The Capitol Records logo appears in white in the lower right corner.

The back cover of Megadeth’s Mary Jane 12" Maxi-Single (USA, 1988) is presented on a dark maroon background with the bold Megadeth logo emblazoned at the top in gold and red.

Track details are prominently listed: A-side Mary Jane, and B-side Hook in Mouth plus My Last Words, with credits naming Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Paul Lani, and Randy Burns. Below, creative contributors are noted, including illustrator Mark Wilkinson, photographer Pete Cronin, and artwork team The Artful Dodgers Ltd.

Centered near the bottom is a color photo of the band in the late 1980s, showing four members with long hair and piercing gazes, embodying the thrash metal attitude. In the lower right corner, the Capitol Records logo confirms the release’s label.

Close-up of Side One Record Label
Close-up photo of Side One label for Megadeth's 1988 USA 12 inch maxi-single Mary Jane, released by Capitol Records. The black label features the Capitol dome logo in white at the top with 'Capitol Regd. Trade Mark' encircling it. Below is the band name Megadeth in bold silver lettering. The catalog number 12CL 489A is printed on the left, with 45 r.p.m. and 12CL 489 on the right. Centered is the song title Mary Jane with credits to D. Mustaine and D. Ellefson. Production credits note Dave Mustaine and Paul Lani. Additional text includes EMI Music Publishers Ltd/Theory Music, Stereo designation, copyright ©1988 EMI Records Ltd, and a mention that the song is featured on the Capitol album So Far, So Good, So What. Fine print around the edge warns against unauthorized use.

Close-up of the Mary Jane Side One label from Megadeth’s 12" Maxi-Single (USA, 1988). The label is dominated by the Capitol Records dome logo in white against a black background.

The text displays catalog number 12CL 489, speed at 45 r.p.m., and stereo designation. Song title Mary Jane is credited to D. Mustaine and D. Ellefson, with production by Dave Mustaine and Paul Lani.

Additional details include publishing by EMI Music Publishers Ltd/Theory Music, copyright ©1988 EMI Records Ltd, and a note that the track appears on the Capitol album So Far, So Good… So What! Perimeter text warns against unauthorized copying, hiring, renting, or broadcasting.

Index of MEGADETH Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK Laser Etched Vinyl
MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK album front cover vinyl record

"Anarchy in the U.K." is originally a song by the English punk rock band "The Sex Pistols" . It was released as the band's debut single on 26 November 1976 and was featured on their only album, Never Mind the Bollocks, This is Megadeth's cover of it, originally released on the album: "So far, so good, so what?"

Anarchy in the UK 12" Laser Etched Vinyl LP
Updated MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction album front cover vinyl LP album https://vinyl-records.nl

Capitol Records 798531 , 1992 , EEC

MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction

Released in 1992, “Countdown to Extinction” marks the moment Megadeth streamlined thrash metal without defanging it. Produced by Dave Mustaine and Max Norman, the album trades excess speed for precision, hooks, and political bite. Dark, disciplined, and sharply focused, it became the band’s breakthrough while still sounding unapologetically hostile.

MEGADETH - Death in the Fire
MEGADETH - Death in the Fire album front cover vinyl record

"Death in the Fire" 180g White Label Transparent Vinyl 12" Vinyl LP Album offers a thrilling glimpse into the raw intensity of Megadeth's live performances during their early years. While an unofficial release, this limited edition LP

Death in the Fire 12" Transparent Vinyl LP <
MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good
MEGADETH - Killing is my Business and Business is Good album front cover vinyl record

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

Killing is my Business and Business is Good 12" Vinyl Picture Disc
MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good (Canada & Holland)
MEGADETH - Killing is my Business and Business is Good (Canada & Holland) album front cover vinyl record

"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. Mustaine wanted a picture of Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead

- Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Canada) - Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Holland)
MEGADETH - Mary Jane album front cover vinyl record
MEGADETH - Mary Jane

This isn’t just a thrash metal maxi-single, it’s a coffin lid slammed shut at 45 r.p.m. Mary Jane crawls from the grooves with banshee wails and bone-splintering riffs, a teenage séance pressed in black vinyl. Flip it, and the B-side detonates with Megadeth’s trademark venom, each track a Molotov cocktail hurled at silence itself.

MEGADETH - Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth
MEGADETH - Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth album front cover vinyl record

Megadeth's "Mary Jane" / "Hook in Mouth" picture disc is a fascinating slice of thrash metal history. While often sought for its collectible artwork, the songs themselves pack a powerful thematic punch.

Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth 7" Picture Disc
MEGADETH - No More Mr. Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) 12" Vinyl LP
MEGADETH - No More Mr Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) album front cover vinyl record

"No More Mr. Nice Guy" was originally a song by Alice Cooper, released in 1973. It became a popular hit and was covered by various artists over the years. In 1989, Megadeth decided to cover the song and release it as a single.

- No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, EEC Europe) - No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, USA)
MEGADETH - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (International Releases)
MEGADETH - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (International Releases) album front cover vinyl record

Formed in 1983 by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine, Megadeth quickly gained recognition for aggressive sound, complex guitar work, and conscious lyrics. "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" became their second studio album

- Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Canada) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Germany) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, USA)
MEGADETH - So Far So Good So What (International Releases) album front cover vinyl record
MEGADETH - So Far So Good So What (International Releases)

Megadeth's "So Far, So Good, So What" 12" vinyl LP album was released on 19 January 1988, on Combat Records. The Canadian release of the album features a slightly different track listing than the US version

- So Far So Good So What (1988, Canada) - So Far So Good So What (1988, Germany) - So Far So Good So What (1988, USA)