The follow-up album, , solidified Megadeth's position as a major force in the thrash metal genre. Released in 1986, Peace Sells... featured hit singles like "Peace Sells" and "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due," and is often cited as one of the greatest metal albums of all time.

In the mid-1990s, Megadeth began to experiment with new sounds and styles. (1994) saw the band incorporating more commercial and accessible elements into their music, with songs like "Black Sabbath" and "Efil4zaggin."

(2003) saw Megadeth return to a more aggressive sound, with songs like "Fixxxer" and "I'm Alive."

, while not as universally acclaimed as Rust in Peace , is still a fan favorite and features hits like "Symphony of Destruction" and "Angry Young Man." This album marked a slight shift in Megadeth's sound, with a more polished production and a greater emphasis on melody.