Author: Dave Mustaine with Joel Selvin
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Price: $28 /€25
Buy it HERE
Anyone who listens to Metal is well aware that “Rust In Peace” stands tall as a true masterpiece. It is no surprise that a book dedicated to the making of this monumental record has been released. Therefore, every MEGADETH fan should read “Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece” to remember or learn about this solid piece of Thrash.
Unlike traditional biographies, this book deviates from a linear storytelling structure and instead relies on a collection of quotes from various individuals who played a role in the making of “Rust In Peace”. This unconventional structure is a two-edged sword as on one hand you can enjoy reading contrasting opinions and recollections about the same story. For example, it is interesting to learn about “writing credits” issue going through what Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine have to say about this. On the other hand, reading quotes may disrupt the usual reading flow as often the narration carries a different style set by the person being quoted.
The most interesting chapter is by far “The Songs”, where Dave provides info about each song in “Rust In Peace”, giving insights into the lyrics, their meaning, and genesis of songs. For example, I did not know that initially Dave had not been impressed by the riff David Ellefson wrote for “Dawn Patrol”...
The book doesn't shy away from addressing Dave's battle with addiction, a significant facet of the narrative. Despite the challenges posed by drug encounters, the fact that “Rust In Peace” emerged as an incredible record remains astounding. Slash has written a forward for the book, and being friends with both Dave and David was a solid reason. Friends to such an extent that Slash was asked to join MEGADETH. Oh, Dave had also asked Dimebag too.
The bottom-line is that “Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece” is a potential “must-have” for metalheads, provided they approach it with clear expectations. This book rejects the over-polished conventions of typical autobiographies, embracing a raw and unfiltered structure. The use of quotes lends an air of honesty, even if it leads to occasional fragmentation as different voices share their unique opinions and memories. With this understanding, readers can extract some useful insights into the making of this Metal masterpiece.
+Pros The inclusion of quotes from nearly every individual involved in the creation of the album provides a distinctive perspective, setting it apart from conventional Metal books. Yet, this uniqueness could be viewed either as a positive or a negative aspect, leaving the final judgment in the hands of the reader.
-Cons The black and white photos, seemingly included to add bulk to the book, feel disconnected and fail to contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative. Placing all the photos at the center of the book appears arbitrary and leaves the impression that they don't enhance the storytelling in any significant way.