Megadeth recorded "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due," the opening track on their 1990 album Rust in Peace. The song combines rapid thrash riffs with a slower section inspired by the comic-book character the Punisher.
Its lyrics address religious conflict and political violence, while the music shifts through several sections rather than following a simple verse-and-chorus structure. The recording is especially noted for the guitar work of Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman.
Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax are the other members of thrash metal's commonly named Big Four. They recorded many landmark songs, but "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" belongs to Megadeth and is not a Metallica track.