Megadeth - So Far So Good So What ( Canada Combat records ) 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Thrash metal fury unleashed with chaos riffs venom and a middle finger to censorship

High Resolution Photo Megadeth So Far So Good So What ( Canadian Release ) Vinyl Record

Megadeth’s 1988 release “So Far, So Good... So What!” captures the raw fury and ambition of thrash metal at its peak. Produced amid chaos, it blends political rage with personal demons, driven by Dave Mustaine’s searing riffs and snarling vocals. The album features standouts like In My Darkest Hour and a feral cover of the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy in the U.K., cementing the band’s rebellious edge. With Jeff Young on guitar and Chuck Behler on drums, it marked a volatile yet pivotal chapter, pushing Megadeth into the global spotlight despite turmoil behind the scenes.

"So Far, So Good, So What" Album Description:

Megadeth's "So Far, So Good, So What" 12" vinyl LP album was released on 19 January 1988, on Combat Records. The Canadian release of the album features a slightly different track listing than the US version, and has become a sought-after collector's item for fans of the thrash metal genre.

The album artwork features a menacing figure on the front cover, with a backdrop of flames and destruction. The figure, which appears to be a combination of a demon and a human, holds a large gun in its hand. The artwork sets the tone for the album, which explores themes of violence, war, and political corruption.

The Canadian release of "So Far, So Good, So What" features eight tracks, including the singles "In My Darkest Hour" and "Hook in Mouth". The album features the classic Megadeth lineup of Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitar, David Ellefson on bass, Jeff Young on guitar, and Chuck Behler on drums. The album showcases the band's technical skills, with fast guitar riffs, complex drumming, and Mustaine's signature vocals.

The Canadian release of "So Far, So Good, So What" features a slightly different track listing than the US version. The album opens with the track "Into the Lungs of Hell," which features a guitar instrumental that leads into the second track, "Set the World Afire".

The lyrics on "So Far, So Good, So What" deal with a range of dark and controversial topics, including war, drug addiction, and political corruption. The track "In My Darkest Hour" is a tribute to late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, and features lyrics such as "In my hour of need / Ha, you're not there / And though I reached out for you / Wouldn't lend a hand". The track "Hook in Mouth" deals with the topic of censorship, with lyrics such as "Got your degree in philosophy / And now you're lecturing me / You're trying to make me feel like a fool / Until I prove you wrong".

"So Far, So Good, So What" has become a classic of the thrash metal genre and has been praised by fans and critics alike. The album's intense and complex musical content, combined with its controversial lyrics and artwork, have cemented its place in the history of heavy metal. The Canadian release of the album is a rare and sought-after collector's item for fans of Megadeth and thrash metal.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal American

Album Packaging

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs and a photo of Megadeth.

Label & Catalognr:

Capitol Combat CI 48148

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 220 gram

Year & Country:

1988 – Canada

Producers:
  • Dave Mustaine – Producer
  • Paul Lani – Producer, Sound Engineer
  • Tim Carr – Executive Producer
  • Michael Wagener – Producer, Mix Engineer
    Michael Wagener is a legendary music producer and sound engineer, known for crafting the signature sounds of hard rock and heavy metal. He co-founded Accept before shifting to production, working with top bands like Metallica, Skid Row, and Dokken. His powerful, polished mixes defined an era of rock. Read his biography
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Paul Lani – Sound Engineer
  • Matt Freeman – Sound Engineer
Mastering Engineer:
  • Stephen Marcussen – Mastering Engineer

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Guitar, Producer
    Dave Mustaine is a thrash metal pioneer, guitarist, and vocalist whose fiery riffs and uncompromising vision shaped the genre. After his split from Metallica, he forged his own path with Megadeth, creating classics that defined speed and aggression. Read his full bio.
  • Jeff Young – Guitar
    Jeffrey "Jeff" Young is an American guitarist born in 1962 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Beginning as a teacher, he stepped into the spotlight when he replaced his own student in the thrash arena, joining Megadeth and recording the fierce classic "So Far, So Good... So What!". Visit: Megadeth discography.
  • Dave Ellefson – Bass, Vocals
    Dave Ellefson is the co-founding bassist of Megadeth, anchoring the band’s crushing thrash sound with precision and power. From Midwest roots to global stages, his bass lines became the backbone of metal’s fury, shaping a genre’s evolution. Discover his journey now.
  • Chuck Behler – Drums

    Charles Conrad "Chuck" Behler an American musician best known for his work as a drummer in the heavy metal band Megadeth. He was born on May 13, 1965, in the United States and started playing drums at a young age. Behler joined Megadeth in 1987 and performed on their third studio album "So Far, So Good... So What!" and the subsequent tour.

    Behler's drumming style is characterized by his speed, precision, and technical prowess. He often used double bass drumming and intricate fills to drive the band's aggressive sound. Behler's contributions to "So Far, So Good... So What!" helped to solidify Megadeth's reputation as one of the most musically talented bands in the metal scene.

    After his tenure with Megadeth, Behler continued to work in the music industry. He performed with other bands, such as Doug Marks' Metal Method and Altitudes & Attitude, a side project featuring Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Anthrax bassist Frank Bello. Behler also worked as a session musician and producer.

    Behler's legacy in the heavy metal scene is cemented by his contributions to one of Megadeth's most iconic albums. His technical skill and powerful drumming style continue to influence and inspire drummers around the world. Despite not being as well-known as some of his contemporaries, Behler remains an important figure in the history of heavy metal music.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Into the Lungs of Hell
  2. Set the World Afire
  3. Anarchy in the U.K.
    One of the highlights on this album is Megadeth’s explosive rendition of Anarchy in the U.K., a thrash-driven cover of the punk anthem originally released by the Sex Pistols in 1976. By injecting speed, aggression, and Dave Mustaine’s snarling delivery, Megadeth transformed the raw rebellion of punk into a furious metal statement, bridging two genres of defiance.
  4. Mary Jane
Video: Megadeth - Anarchy In The U.K. [Official Video]
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. 502
  2. In My Darkest Hour
  3. Liar
  4. Hook in the Mouth
Video: Megadeth - In My Darkest Hour (Official Music Video)
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of the Canadian release of Megadeth’s 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What! The artwork shows a skeletal figure dressed in combat gear, draped with ammunition belts, and holding a weapon. The figure wears a helmet and goggles, resembling a soldier turned into a deathly mascot, with a background of explosions and cosmic imagery. The Megadeth logo in bold metallic gold dominates the top, while the album title appears in stark white text to the right: 'so far, so good... so what!'. The image fuses war iconography with apocalyptic chaos, creating a confrontational and dystopian visual statement.

The album’s front cover presents a menacing skeletal soldier, draped in heavy ammunition belts and gripping a large firearm. His skull-like face is obscured by a combat helmet and opaque goggles, giving him a faceless, inhuman presence.

Behind him, the background merges outer space and fiery destruction: a small image of Earth floats on the left, while flames and explosions dominate the lower half. A semi-transparent gauge-like graphic overlays the bottom edge, suggesting precision warfare.

The band’s name, Megadeth, appears at the top in bold metallic gold, while the fragmented album title is printed vertically along the right margin: so far, so good... so what!. The entire composition radiates chaos, militarism, and dystopia.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of the Canadian release of Megadeth’s 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What!. The design features live-action style photos of the band members: Chuck Behler on drums, David Ellefson on bass, Jeff Young on guitar, and Dave Mustaine on guitar and vocals. The center section lists the complete tracklisting with Side One (Into the Lungs of Hell, Set the World Afire, Anarchy in the U.K., Mary Jane) and Side Two (502, In My Darkest Hour, Liar, Hook in Mouth). The background is abstract with sharp lines and dark textures, while the top includes detailed production credits and a barcode.

The back cover of the Canadian Combat/Capitol release combines band imagery with essential album information. Four live-style photographs show each member in action: Chuck Behler pounding drums, Dave Ellefson thrashing his bass, Jeff Young wielding his guitar, and Dave Mustaine in mid-solo.

Centered on the design is the full tracklisting, split into Side One and Side Two. Songs such as Into the Lungs of Hell, Anarchy in the U.K., and In My Darkest Hour are prominently listed in bold type against a textured backdrop.

Above, production credits cite Dave Mustaine, Paul Lani, Michael Wagener, and Tim Carr, while the top right features a standard barcode. The abstract collage background of fractured orange and blue shapes adds a chaotic, industrial feel that reflects the album’s tone.

Inner Cover Photo
Inner sleeve photo of the Canadian release of Megadeth’s 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What!. The image shows the four band members—Chuck Behler, David Ellefson, Dave Mustaine, and Jeff Young—standing together in a posed group shot. The photo is heavily tinted red, giving it a stark and aggressive look. All four wear jeans and t-shirts, two with visible Megadeth and Necros band shirts, and they strike a serious stance, radiating youthful defiance and thrash attitude. The background features rows of faint, repeated alphanumeric text patterns along the sides, adding a mechanical and coded aesthetic.

The inner sleeve of the Canadian edition presents a bold red-tinted photograph of the full Megadeth lineup. Standing in a tight group, Chuck Behler, David Ellefson, Dave Mustaine, and Jeff Young project intensity and defiance, their postures rigid and faces fixed in serious expressions.

Each member is dressed in slim jeans and band t-shirts, two prominently displaying logos—Necros and Megadeth. The red monochrome wash heightens the atmosphere of aggression and rebellion, echoing the album’s chaotic themes.

The backdrop is surrounded by faint columns of repetitive alphanumeric text, giving the page a coded, mechanical feel. Beneath the photo, each musician’s name is printed in small type, grounding the image as both a portrait and an archival record of the era.

Close-up of Record Label
Close-up of the Canadian pressing record label for Megadeth’s 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What!. The label features the Capitol Records logo at the top with Combat, a division of Relativity Records, noted below. The text includes track listings for Side 1: Into the Lungs of Hell, Set the World Afire, Anarchy in the U.K., and Mary Jane, alongside songwriting credits and publishing rights. Production credits name Dave Mustaine, Paul Lani, Michael Wagener, and Tim Carr. The edge of the label shows a rainbow gradient border, a trademark of Capitol Records pressings.

This close-up shows the Capitol/Combat label from the Canadian vinyl pressing of So Far, So Good... So What!. The classic Capitol dome logo dominates the top, while the Combat branding underneath connects it to the band’s underground thrash origins.

The center of the label lists the Side 1 track titles: Into the Lungs of Hell, Set the World Afire, Anarchy in the U.K., and Mary Jane. Each song is credited with its writers, publishers, and duration, all arranged in neat white type against a dark background.

Surrounding the text is Capitol’s signature rainbow ring, adding color to the otherwise stark design. Production credits for Dave Mustaine, Paul Lani, Michael Wagener, and Tim Carr are also included, along with 1988 copyright details, making this label both functional and collectible.

Index of MEGADETH Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK Laser Etched Vinyl
MEGADETH - Anarchy in the UK album front cover vinyl record

"Anarchy in the U.K." is originally a song by the English punk rock band "The Sex Pistols" . It was released as the band's debut single on 26 November 1976 and was featured on their only album, Never Mind the Bollocks, This is Megadeth's cover of it, originally released on the album: "So far, so good, so what?"

Anarchy in the UK 12" Laser Etched Vinyl LP
MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction
MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction album front cover vinyl record

Countdown to Extinction was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album was certified double platinum

Countdown to Extinction 12" Vinyl LP
MEGADETH - Death in the Fire
MEGADETH - Death in the Fire album front cover vinyl record

"Death in the Fire" 180g White Label Transparent Vinyl 12" Vinyl LP Album offers a thrilling glimpse into the raw intensity of Megadeth's live performances during their early years. While an unofficial release, this limited edition LP

Death in the Fire 12" Transparent Vinyl LP <
MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good
MEGADETH - Killing is my Business and Business is Good album front cover vinyl record

This is the Picture Disc version "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" the debut album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was originally released in 1985 on Combat Records.

Killing is my Business and Business is Good 12" Vinyl Picture Disc
MEGADETH - Killing is My Business and Business is Good (Canada & Holland)
MEGADETH - Killing is my Business and Business is Good (Canada & Holland) album front cover vinyl record

"Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" is the debut album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was originally released in 1985 on Combat Records. Mustaine wanted a picture of Megadeth mascot Vic Rattlehead

- Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Canada) - Killing is my Business and Business is Good (1985, Holland)
MEGADETH - Mary Jane
MEGADETH - Mary Jane
MEGADETH - Mary Jane album front cover vinyl record

"Mary Jane" USA Release is an iconic musical piece that showcases the talent and creativity of the American thrash metal band, Megadeth. Released in 1988, this maxi-single offers a unique perspective on the concept of "Mary Jane"

Mary Jane 12" Vinyl Maxi Single
MEGADETH - Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth
MEGADETH - Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth album front cover vinyl record

Megadeth's "Mary Jane" / "Hook in Mouth" picture disc is a fascinating slice of thrash metal history. While often sought for its collectible artwork, the songs themselves pack a powerful thematic punch.

Mary Jane b/w Hook in Mouth 7" Picture Disc
MEGADETH - No More Mr. Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) 12" Vinyl LP
MEGADETH - No More Mr Nice Guy (European and USA Releases) album front cover vinyl record

"No More Mr. Nice Guy" was originally a song by Alice Cooper, released in 1973. It became a popular hit and was covered by various artists over the years. In 1989, Megadeth decided to cover the song and release it as a single.

- No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, EEC Europe) - No More Mr Nice Guy (1989, USA)
MEGADETH - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (International Releases)
MEGADETH - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (International Releases) album front cover vinyl record

Formed in 1983 by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine, Megadeth quickly gained recognition for aggressive sound, complex guitar work, and conscious lyrics. "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" became their second studio album

- Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Canada) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, Germany) - Peace Sells But Who's Buying (1986, USA)
MEGADETH - So Far So Good So What (International Releases)
MEGADETH - So Far So Good So What (International Releases) album front cover vinyl record

Megadeth's "So Far, So Good, So What" 12" vinyl LP album was released on 19 January 1988, on Combat Records. The Canadian release of the album features a slightly different track listing than the US version

- So Far So Good So What (1988, Canada) - So Far So Good So What (1988, Germany) - So Far So Good So What (1988, USA)