My favorite album of all time. How could something almost obscure from a band who was massively influential to other artists, yet rarely duplicated, and who mostly faded away not be the most absolutely perfect Heavy Metal album ever created? It is elegant, atmospheric, and understated in a way that most metal isn't. In a way, it is the most un-metal Heavy Metal album, and that's why it is so perfect. This work of art itself simply can't be pegged down to some of the metal cliches it helped create. It stands at the forefront of metal, yet completely apart from it. The fact that this album will never be rated anywhere near the top 10 metal albums ever (it currently isn't even in the top 10 of 1980 on this site) makes absolute perfect sense and is honestly part of the appeal. I love that it will always exist as it's own thing and will never be played out. ... See More

Absolutely perfect thrash metal if you are into the more adventurous stuff bordering on technical/prog but not too nerdy. This is the perfect Megadeth lineup who also recorded Symphony of Destruction and Euthanasia. Rust is not radio friendly like those albums, but not as raw as the stuff from the 80s. To me, this is the perfect balance - technical - precise, but still adventurous and heavy. Sometimes I like badly produced, raw stuff like Venom, but this better produced sound hits just right for Megadeth. Mustaine's vocals are "good singing" in any classical sense, but they fit this music just right.

Avoid the remastered version at all costs. Get your hands on an original copy from 1990 on CD for the best sound quality.