Editing Megadeth (section)

===1990–1991: ''Rust in Peace''===
With Mustaine sober, Megadeth continued searching for a new lead guitarist. [[Guns N' Roses]] guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] had been jamming with Mustaine and Ellefson, and although it seemed that he might join Megadeth, he remained with Guns N' Roses.{{sfn|Ellefson|McIver|2013|p=79}} [[Dimebag Darrell]] of [[Pantera]] was offered the job, but the deal fell through after Mustaine refused his request to recruit his brother, Pantera drummer [[Vinnie Paul]], as he had already hired Menza.<ref name="King">{{cite web|title=Dave Mustaine: Kerry King Hates My Guts|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/dave_mustaine_kerry_king_hates_my_guts.html|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|publisher=[[Ultimate-Guitar.com]]|date=August 16, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> The offer was also extended to [[Criss Oliva]] who also declined as he did not want to leave [[Savatage]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Look Back at Savatage's Criss Oliva|url=https://allthatshreds.com/look-back-savatages-criss-oliva/|work=All That Shreds Magazine|date=April 8, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019024251/https://allthatshreds.com/look-back-savatages-criss-oliva/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Jeff Loomis]], who would later go on to form progressive metal titans [[Nevermore]], also auditioned though Mustaine deemed him too young to join as Loomis was only 18 at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guitarist Jeff Loomis - "If I Would Have Joined MEGADETH I Really Wouldn't Had The Open Writing That I'm Able To Do In NEVERMORE"|url=http://bravewords.com/news/guitarist-jeff-loomis-if-i-would-have-joined-megadeth-i-really-wouldnt-had-the-open-writing-that-im-able-to-do-in-nevermore|work=[[BraveWords]]|date=July 3, 2010|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730123351/https://bravewords.com/news/guitarist-jeff-loomis-if-i-would-have-joined-megadeth-i-really-wouldnt-had-the-open-writing-that-im-able-to-do-in-nevermore|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Megadeth1991AL.jpg|thumb|Megadeth performing at the [[Sloss Furnaces]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], in July 1991]]
[[Marty Friedman]] filled the guitarist position at the recommendation of Ron Laffitte, a member of Capitol management. Laffitte had heard ''[[Dragon's Kiss]]'', a solo recording by Friedman when he was in [[Cacophony (band)|Cacophony]].<ref name="Decibel"/> Mustaine and Ellefson were satisfied with Friedman's style and thought that he understood Megadeth's music.{{sfn|Ellefson|McIver|2013|p=88}} With Friedman in the group, the band completed what fans consider the definitive Megadeth lineup.{{sfn|Kajzer|Lotring|2010|p=320}} The revitalized band entered the studio at [[Rumbo Recorders]] in March 1990 with co-producer [[Mike Clink]] to begin Megadeth's most critically acclaimed album, ''[[Rust in Peace]]''. Clink was the first producer to complete a Megadeth album without being fired.<ref name="Rust"/> Its recording was documented in ''[[Rusted Pieces]]'', a home video released in 1991 with six music videos and an interview with the band.{{sfn|Rubiner|1993|p=167}}

Released in September 1990, ''Rust in Peace'' debuted at number 23 in the United States and number eight in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Albums"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/|title=The Official Charts Company&nbsp;– Megadeth|work=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref> Mustaine had developed a writing style with a rhythmically complex, progressive edge, and the songs featured longer guitar solos and frequent tempo changes.{{sfn|Pillsbury|2006|p=82}} Described as a genre-defining work by ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'',<ref name="Decibel">{{cite web|title=Megadeth "Rust in Peace"|work=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/hall-of-fame/megadeth/|access-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref> the album solidified Megadeth's reputation in the music industry.{{sfn|Prown|Newquist|1997|p=227}} It features the singles "[[Holy Wars... The Punishment Due]]" and "[[Hangar 18 (song)|Hangar 18]]", both of which were accompanied by music videos and became live staples. ''Rust in Peace'' received a Grammy nomination in 1991 for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]],<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Megadeth: First Look At 'Rust In Peace Live' DVD|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/megadeth-first-look-at-rust-in-peace-live-dvd/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 23, 2010|access-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref> and was the group's third platinum album, certified in December 1994.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Morris|first=Chris|title=Ace Of Base, 'Lion King' Lead Record Certs|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 14, 1995|page=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQsEAAAAMBAJ&q=1995+rust+in+peace+billboard&pg=PA76|access-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref>

Early in 1990, Megadeth joined [[Slayer]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]] for the successful European [[Clash of the Titans (tour)|Clash of the Titans]] tour, featuring several American thrash metal bands.{{sfn|McIver|2008|loc=Chapter 13}} An American leg began the following year featuring Megadeth, Slayer and [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], with [[Alice in Chains]] as a supporting act. The tour was considered a multi-headliner, as the three main bands alternated time slots.{{sfn|Harrison|2011|p=60}} In addition to the [[Clash of the Titans (tour)|Clash of the Titans]] tour, Megadeth (along with Testament) supported [[Judas Priest]] on their ''[[Painkiller (Judas Priest album)|Painkiller]]'' [[Painkiller Tour|tour]] in North America late in 1990 and appeared at the second [[Rock in Rio]] festival in January 1991.{{sfn|Ellefson|McIver|2013|p=101}} In July 1991 the song "Go to Hell" was featured in the film ''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey]]'' and on its soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey: Official Motion Picture Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bill-teds-bogus-journey-soundtrack-mw0000675194 |website=Allmusic}}</ref>