Peace Sells by Megadeth
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? landed in 1986 as Megadeth's breakout record, fusing razor-sharp riffs, precise picking, and biting social commentary. The title track became one of the band's enduring anthems, a showcase of technical prowess wrapped in sardonic lyricism that helped define late‑80s thrash.
In the studio, David Ellefson's bass lines drive the groove and Chris Poland's lead guitar adds bite while Mustaine fires off blistering, fast-paced riffs. The song's iconic hook and relentless energy make it a perfect gateway into thrash technique for guitar students and tab readers alike.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you’ll learn the signature main riff and its verse/chorus rhythm, the palm-muted power-chord sections, and the fast alternate-picking style that drives the track. We’ll break down timing with the bass line, cover essential techniques like Palm Muting and Alternate Picking, and point out tricky spots such as cleanly muting strings, staying in tempo, and coordinating rapid note transitions to nail the thrash feel.
Intermediate; prior skills with Power Chords, Palm Muting, and Alternate Picking will be especially helpful.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Break the main riff into small loops at a slow tempo and gradually build speed with a metronome.
- 💡Keep your right hand relaxed and use tight palm muting on the lower strings to reproduce the track's staccato groove.
- 💡Practice with a bass or drum backing track to lock in the groove and ensure the guitar riffs align with the bass line.
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