Megadeth: Dave Mustaine (vocals, guitar); Jeff Young (guitar, acoustic guitar); David Ellefson (bass guitar, background vocals); Chuck Behler (drums, percussion).
Recording information: Music Grinder, Los Angeles, California.
Following the release of 1986's heavy metal classic PEACE SELLS BUT WHO'S BUYING?, half of Megadeth's original line-up abruptly split. Guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson parted, leaving the band in the hands of guitarist/singer Dave Mustaine and bassist Dave Ellefson. Despite the fact that the two remaining Megadeth members had become addicted to hard drugs, they wasted little time in finding replacements in drummer Chuck Behler and guitarist Jeff Young. This second lineup lasted just long enough to issue a third Megadeth album, 1988's SO FAR, SO GOOD, SO WHAT!
While very short (barely over 30 minutes) and not on par with its exceptional predecessor, SO FAR helped to solidify Megadeth's standing as one of speed metal's leading acts. "Anarchy in the U.S.A.," a reworking of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K.," proved popular among MTV's metal set but doesn't come close to matching the original's spiteful power. "502" (the L.A.P.D. code for driving intoxicated), the venomous "Liar," a tribute to Metallica's late bassist Cliff Burton ("In My Darkest Hour"), the anti-censorship "Hook In Mouth," and the lethal one-two punch of "Into the Lungs of Hell" and "Set the World Afire" fare much better.
