842. Anvil / Metal on Metal. 1982. 3/5

After a rather lacklustre debut album, Anvil strike back harder here with their follow-up, Metal on Metal. For an album that has garnered historical significance over the years, there are still moments here that seem 'unworthy' of such praise, and yet there is enough here to make you wonder just what the fuss had been all about around the time of its release.

This is all pretty straight forward harder material, led by the eponymous title track "Metal on Metal", which opens the album with a headswinging stoush of drum beat and riff. At least on this album, the title appears to be more relevant than it did on the debut release. "Mothra" sets off at a much faster pace than the opening track, and a lengthier one at that. "Stop Me" tends to drag along, especially given the extended length of the song. Lips seems to be moaning most of the way through rather than singing, but perhaps that is because the track makes you feel that way inclined. "March of the Crabs" is a beauty, an instrumental that is untainted by vocals and travels at a speed that enhances the track. Especially prominent is Robb Reiner's drumming, it is great on this song. the speed is retained into "Jackhammer", which is possibly my favourite song on the album. These tracks are where it is easy to see Anvil gaining a heavy audience.
"Tag Team" soldiers along in its very structured mid range beat. Then comes the surprisingly catchy "Scenery", which channels Dio and Vivian Campbell in its simplistic yet enjoyable riff and melody chain. "Tease Me, Please Me" continues the reverting back a little to the lyrical chaste of the first album, before the bombardment of "666" concludes the album.
As always, it is a difficult thing to try and rate and review an album at a time subsequent to its initial release. I don't mind this album, but I have only heard and owned it in recent years. It will never be one that I love, and to be honest that could well have been the case if I had gotten this on its release, because despite the good tidings it receives from many influential bands since this, to me it is just an average plod through the park. The album begins without any major hooks or anything overly special in the riffs throughout the songs. Lips' vocals are good enough, but the background singers tend to detract from the overall effort rather than enhance it. As with all of Anvil's albums, I think Robb Reiner's drum work is terrific, and the middle section of the album is where its magic lies, with the songs moving along at a faster pace and the guitars and drums doing their best work.

Metal on Metal came along at a time when metal was beginning to find its place in the world market. While this album gives some indication as to why the band was well thought of at that time, it also tends to underline why they perhaps didn't go as far they could possibly have done so. There are moments here that shine, but just not bright enough to make up for those moments that are rather average.

Rating:  Nothin' to say but you said a lot, and in the end that's what you got.  3/5.