Poison Was the Cure

This track, whose music was composed by Dave Mustaine, delves into the depths of his personal experience with heroin addiction. The title itself evokes the idea of methadone, a substance used in treatments for opioid dependence. The theory behind its use is to replace the primary drug and gradually reduce doses until abstinence. However, the song suggests that, at times, methadone dependence simply substitutes for the original addiction. Another perspective is that, at the time Mustaine turned to drugs, his life was not going well and he was seeking a solution; drugs offered temporary relief that, ultimately, proved detrimental. The recording featured engineering by Mike Clink, Micajah Ryan, and Andy Udoff, while the mixing was handled by Max Norman, with Mike Clink and Dave Mustaine on production. The album Rust in Peace, released on September 24, 1990, by Capitol Records, was a turning point for Megadeth. It was the first work to include guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza. Tracks like Hangar 18 and Holy Wars... The Punishment Due were released as singles. The album's production was a joint effort between Mike Clink and Dave Mustaine himself. Since its release, Rust in Peace has been consistently recognized as one of the best thrash metal albums of all time by publications such as Decibel and Kerrang!. Furthermore, it was included in the reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 33rd annual awards ceremony, and in 1991, it received recognition at the Foundations Forum. In 2004, a remixed and remastered version was released that included four additional tracks. The band, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California, by Dave Mustaine after his departure from Metallica, is considered one of the central figures of thrash metal.