Kirk surfs an avalanche straight into Thrash Valley, where he delves into the depths of Megadeth's 1990 opus "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due." It's an unstoppable rockslide of layered riffs, tempo shifts, power chords, and... power thirds?

Written by: Dave Mustaine

Album: Rust in Peace, 1990

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

"Tornado of Souls" by Mustaine/Ellefson from Rust in Peace, 1990
“The Four Horsemen” by Metallica (Hetfield, Ulrich, and Mustaine) from Kill ‘Em All, 1983
“Peace Sells” by Megadeth from Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, 1983
“Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses from Appetite For Destruction, 1987
“Speed Metal Symphony” by Cacophony from Speed Metal Symphony, 1987
Mr. Tabs' "Holy Wars" transcription (YouTube)
Megadeth Live in 1992 at Hammersmith Odeon
“Channel 1 Suite” by The Buddy Rich Big Band feat. Don Menza, 1968
"What It Sounds Like" from KPop Demon Hunters, 2025
Angry Crowd Sound by Michael Ghelfi Studios
Megadeth plays “Holy Wars” live on Sirius XM in 2022

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"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" by Megadeth