by Greg Prato

As evidenced by the title of my 16th book overall, Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990s, metal in the '90s was one of the toughest periods ever in the history of the genre.

Seemingly overnight, bands that were arena headliners and chart toppers were considered out of style, while newer bands embracing more real, honest, and cutting edge styles were in demand. However, there was a happy ending to the story - heavy metal managed to survive... and continues to thrive.

Did you embrace newer acts like Primus, Kyuss, and Marilyn Manson, stand firm and continue on with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Guns N' Roses…or listen to a little bit of the old and new? Either way, this quiz (including quotes/facts from the aforementioned book) should be a fun challenge for metalheads of all ages!
~Greg Prato

Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990's is available for purchase as paperback, Kindle version, iBook version, and Nook version.

Read a sample chapter here.

---

More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 6

• Bethany from KyAwesome
• Erin from Baltimore, MdLike KC from NH, I’m not a big metal fan, but I too got all but one right! (In my case, it was Phil Anselmo’s back that I got wrong.) Some of these are just too weird not to be true.
• Megan Parsons from MiamiAnd I mean hipster in the less pejorative way possible. This is one of modern music's most influential figures and one of my all time favorite musicians
  https://acouplepillsaday.blogspot.com.co/2016/11/buddy-holly-blue-days-black-nights-look.html
• Ernest from Idaho - UsaSweet back in school again. 58% only got 7 right and missed one due to big fingers small phone. Oh well.
• K.c. from NhOK, this is weird. I am NOT a fan of metal, yet I got all but 1 right! (It was the Axl Rose one, with the phone call.) Oh, and if you ask, "Why take the quiz if you don't like metal?" it's because I love quizzes & pop culture.
• Jim from North Billerica, MaOne wrong - Guessed correctly on a few

Editor's Picks

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

More Songfacts:

Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis

The first big hit by an X Factor winner was "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, who won the British version of the show in 2008. The song was intended for Jesse McCartney, who wrote it with Ryan Tedder.

Grazing In The GrassThe Friends Of Distinction

Grazing In The Grass by The Friends Of Distinction was the first big hit to use the phrase "dig it" in the lyric.

ShoutThe Isley Brothers

Otis Day And The Knights, the fictional band created to perform "Shout" in the movie Animal House, became a real band, performing the song at colleges and other venues.

ProblemAriana Grande

Ariana Grande's hit "Problem" started off as a track written by One Direction songwriter Savan Kotecha. He gave it the working title of "The Whisper Song," after a 2005 Ying Yang Twins hit.

Lifestyles Of The Rich And FamousGood Charlotte

The first Good Charlotte hit, "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous," is a send-up of celebrity culture, but the group's leaders, Joel and Benji Madden, both married celebrities: Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz, respectively.

Down UnderMen at Work

Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.