Metal on Metal

Album: Metal on Metal (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A very meta metal rocker, this song is all about the genre itself - how it feels to be at a metal concert with the music blasting in your ears. Anvil, subject of the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil, certainly had the bona fides to pull off such a song. The title track to their second album, it became their anthem and a proven attention-getter when they played festivals like Reading and Donington.
  • In our interview with Anvil lead singer Lips (Steve Kudlow), he explained that this song started with a riff he came up with on guitar. "The sound of the riff made me think of the title 'Metal on Metal,'" he said. "It just sounded like that's what was emanating from the guitar. I could actually hear the vocal there."

    Lips says that once he had the title, it took him about 15 minutes to finish the song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

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."

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.