After going through multiple vocalists, including Lor Kane, Billy Bonds and John Cyriis, Mustaine decided to handle the vocal duties himself, while also serving as the band's primary lyricist, main songwriter, and co-lead and rhythm guitarist. Megadeth recorded a three-song demo tape early in 1984 titled "Last Rites", engineered by Karat Faye, and released it on March 9, 1984. On the strength of the demo, the band was asked to sign with the New York-based independent label Combat Records in November 1984. Early in 1985, Megadeth was given $8,000 ($23,323 in 2024) by Combat to record and produce its debut album. However, this proved not to be enough, and the band was given a further $4,000 ($11,661 in 2024). Instead, a majority of the budget was spent on drugs, alcohol, and food, prompting the group to fire the original producer, and produce the record themselves. Poland has disputed this account. The album was successfully recorded at the Indigo Ranch Studios, in Malibu, California.
after going through multiple vocalists including lor kane billy bonds and john cyriis mustaine decided to handle the vocal duties himself while also serving as the band's primary lyricist main songwriter and co-lead and rhythm guitarist megadeth recorded a three-song demo tape early in 1984 titled "last rites" engineered by karat faye and released it on march 9 1984 on the strength of the demo the band was asked to sign with the new york-based independent label combat records in november 1984 early in 1985 megadeth was given $8000 ($23323 in 2024) by combat to record and produce its debut album however this proved not to be enough and the band was given a further $4000 ($11661 in 2024) instead a majority of the budget was spent on drugs alcohol and food prompting the group to fire the original producer and produce the record themselves poland has disputed this account the album was successfully recorded at the indigo ranch studios in malibu california