Editing So Far, So Good... So What! (section)

==Background and production==
Guitarist [[Chris Poland]] and drummer [[Gar Samuelson]] had been both fired from the band following the conclusion of the ''Peace Sells'' tour for disruptive behavior, including Poland's habit of pawning band equipment to pay for drugs.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=167-168}} Samuelson was immediately replaced by his drum technician, [[Chuck Behler]]{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=167}} (although [[Slayer]]'s [[Dave Lombardo]] considered joining).<ref>{{cite web |title=DAVE LOMBARDO: How I Almost Joined MEGADETH In 1987 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-lombardo-how-i-almost-joined-megadeth-in-1987 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=December 15, 2022 |date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> However, a new guitarist would take longer to emerge. At first, the band hired guitarist Jay Reynolds from the band [[Malice (US band)|Malice]],{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=169}} but Reynolds was not up to the task of recording, and was subsequently replaced by his guitar teacher, [[Jeff Young]]. [[Dave Mustaine]] has since stated his regret for the way he handled Reynolds's firing.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=170-173}} Other guitarists considered included [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] from [[Guns N' Roses]].<ref>{{cite web |title=How Slash Almost Joined Megadeth: 'Mustaine and I Wrote Some Fucking Dark Riffs!' |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/how_slash_almost_joined_megadeth_mustaine_and_i_wrote_some_fucking_dark_riffs.html |website=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=December 15, 2022 |date=January 19, 2016}}</ref>

Work on the album started while Reynolds was in the band, but continued after the induction of Young. To mix the album, the label turned to Paul Lani, who had remixed the band's previous album, ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]].''{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=173}} Mustaine was initially skeptical, and later became very irate with Lani's "eccentricities" and his way of handling things. To mix the album, Lani relocated himself and Mustaine to Bearsville Studios, near [[Woodstock, New York]], ostensibly for the purpose of inspiration.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=177-178}} Mustaine decided that he had his limits when he, having just awakened and made coffee, noticed Lani outside in his underwear feeding an apple to a deer. Mustaine flew back to Los Angeles later that day and fired Lani, who was replaced by [[Michael Wagener]]. Mustaine has since criticized Wagener's "pedestrian" mixing efforts, citing the album's "muddy feel", in particular.{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=179}} Mustaine was able to recruit [[Sex Pistols]] guitarist [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] to perform guitar parts on "[[Anarchy in the U.K.#Megadeth|Anarchy in the U.K.]]"{{sfn|Mustaine|2010|p=175-176}}