MEGADETH - PEACE SELLS, BUT WHO'S BUYING? - German Release DMM 12" Vinyl LP Album

"Peace Sells" the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released in November 1986. Originally, the project was handled by Combat Records, and this resulted in the first mix of the album. Eventually Capitol Records bought the rights to the album and a producer was hired to mix it himself. It was remixed and remastered in 2004 by Dave Mustaine, and again in 2011 as part of the album's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Album Front Cover of MEGADETH PEACE SELLS, BUT WHO'S BUYING?

Album Description:

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band that was formed in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine. The band's second album, "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" was released in 1986 and is considered one of their most significant and influential works.

Megadeth's first album, "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" was released in 1985 and received critical acclaim. It was followed by "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" in 1986. The album was produced by Dave Mustaine and Randy Burns and was released under the Capitol Records label. The album cover, which features the band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, was designed by artist Ed Repka.

"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" is a concept album that deals with social and political issues such as war, corruption, and greed. The album is characterized by fast-paced, aggressive guitar riffs, pounding drums, and powerful vocals. The lyrics are often confrontational and critical of society, reflecting the band's punk rock and thrash metal influences. Some of the album's most popular tracks include "Wake Up Dead," "Devil's Island," and the title track, "Peace Sells."

"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" was a critical and commercial success, cementing Megadeth's place in the heavy metal scene. The album reached #76 on the US Billboard 200 chart and has sold over a million copies worldwide. The album's title track became a popular anthem for the band and is still considered one of their signature songs. The album's success helped establish Megadeth as one of the leading bands in the thrash metal genre and paved the way for their future successes.

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and photos.

Music Genre:

American Thrash Metal

Album Production Information:

Produced by Dave Mustaine, Randy Burns

Randy Burns – Record Producer & Sound Engineer

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

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

Sound Engineer Casey McMackin and Randy Burns

Casey McMackin – Sound Engineer, Producer & Musician

The Music Grinder kid who made thrash readable without sanding off the danger. Read more...

Casey McMackin is an acclaimed sound engineer, producer, and musician who learned the hard way at Hollywood's Music Grinder—starting as the gofer and listening his way into the chair. I hear his fingerprints on Megadeth (1986) where he engineered "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" and even tossed in backing vocals, then straight into Dark Angel (1986) on "Darkness Descends". He stayed in the pit with Nuclear Assault (1987–1989), jumped to Exodus as assistant engineer (1990), and helped steer Motörhead's grit on "1916" (1991) and "March ör Die" (1992). Later, he still popped up—producing/mixing C.I.A. (1990) and engineering a Lemmy solo cut (2006).

Sound mixer: Paul Lani, Stan Katayama.

Artwork Edward Repka

Ed Repka – Graphic Artist & Album Cover Illustrator

He turned Cold War paranoia and death-metal gore into bright, rotten pop art. Read more...

Ed Repka is the American graphic artist who gave thrash and early death metal its lurid, comic-book bite. I remember seeing his work hit the racks with Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead—"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" (1986) and the colder, geopolitics-soaked "Rust in Peace" (1990). In between, he painted Death’s first three nightmares: "Scream Bloody Gore" (1987), "Leprosy" (1988), and "Spiritual Healing" (1990). He also lit up Nuclear Assault and Possessed in 1986, then kept the torch burning on shirts and posters for decades. He draws like Mad magazine with a switchblade: bright color, nasty detail, and a punchline that still hurts. Every corner is packed with little jokes and rot.

Ed Repka Wiki

Record Label & Catalognr:

Capitol Records 1C 064-24 0626 / DMM Direct Metal Mastering

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 200 gram

Year & Country: 1986 Made in Germany

Band Members and Musicians on: Megadeth - Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?

Dave Mustaine - 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. Read more...

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
Dave Ellefson – Bass guitarist
He’s the low-end rivet gun behind Megadeth’s sharpest turns. Read more...
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
Chris Poland - Guitars
Chris Poland – Guitarist
He snuck jazz-fusion phrasing into thrash, then escaped back into heavy fusion with a grin. Read more...
Chris Poland is the guitarist who smuggled jazz-fusion grease into early thrash and made it sound like trouble with manners. Before Megadeth, he bounced through Welkin and The New Yorkers (late 1970s–early 1980s), sharpening that slippery legato. I first clocked him in Megadeth (1984–1987), cutting through "Killing Is My Business..." (1985) and "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" (1986) with off-angle phrasing and nasty little harmonies. After the split he went progressive with Damn the Machine (1991–1994), then detoured into Mumbo's Brain (1995–1996). He popped back in 2004 as a session ace on Megadeth's "The System Has Failed". Since 2002 he’s kept the fuse lit in OHM and OHMphrey, stretching riffs like elastic and letting the notes argue.
Chris Poland Wiki

Gar Samuelson
Gar Samuelson – Drummer
He played thrash like a jazz guy who’d just discovered speed and bad decisions. Read more...
Gar Samuelson (full-name: Gary Charles Samuelson) is the drummer who injected swing, ghost notes, and real feel into early Megadeth when most thrash kits sounded like someone falling down stairs on purpose. I first clocked him coming out of The New Yorkers with Chris Poland (late 1970s–early 1980s), then landing in Megadeth (1984–1987) and turning "Killing Is My Business..." (1985) into something sharper than speed: it breathed. On "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" (1986) he played fast without going stiff, accenting like a jazz cat in a leather jacket. After he left, he worked with The New Yorkers again and did sessions through the late 1980s. His legacy isn’t just the beats—it’s the idea that thrash could groove and still hit like a hammer.
Gar Samuelson Wiki

Complete Track Listing of: Megadeth - Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?

The Song/tracks on "Megadeth - Peace Sells, But Who's Buying? " are

Side One:

Wake up Dead
The Conjuring
Peace Sells
Devil's Island

Side Two:

Good Mourning / Black Friday
Bad Omen
I Ain't Superstitious
My Last Words

Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Megadeth - Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?

Photo of Front Cover

High Resolution Photo MEGADETH PEACE SELLS BUT WHO IS BUYING German Release Vinyl Record

Photo of Album's Back Cover

Photo of Album's Inner Cover

High Resolution Photo MEGADETH PEACE SELLS BUT WHO IS BUYING German Release Vinyl Record

Photo of Record Label

Note: the above pictures are actual photos of the album and allow you to judge the quality of cover. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash.

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

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

"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

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)

"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

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'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)

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)

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)