Legal at Last
Anvil · 2020
50 min · 12 tracks · heavy metal
A raucous blend of classic heavy metal riffs and unapologetic lyrics that celebrate freedom and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Legal at Last Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of liberation with a driving rhythm and catchy chorus that celebrates newfound freedoms.
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Nabbed in Nebraska — This track features a narrative style that blends humor and storytelling, drawing listeners into an engaging tale while maintaining heavy guitar work.
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Chemtrails — Addressing contemporary conspiracy theories with a sharp lyrical edge, this song balances skepticism with hard-hitting instrumentation that is quintessentially Anvil.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid heavy metal songwriting with energetic performances, though it doesn't significantly innovate within the genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent mid-tempo pace across most tracks, with only a few moments of faster rhythms.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, often repeating key phrases in the chorus for emphasis.
- Several tracks incorporate guitar solos that are prominent and serve as climactic points within the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo energy
- anthemic choruses for sing-alongs
- resilient spirit throughout
- for group listening
- great for road trip soundtracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Anvil's long career.
- Themes
- freedom celebration· Nebraska tales· conspiracy skepticism
- Career context
- Released on February 14, 2020, 'Legal at Last' is Anvil's 17th studio album, marking a continued resurgence in their career after years of underground fame. This album follows their documentary 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil', which reignited interest in the band and showcased their enduring passion for metal music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Accept· Judas Priest· Motörhead
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Food for the Vulture
The moment shifts from an introspective verse to an aggressive chorus that critiques societal neglect and corruption.
This contrast creates a powerful emotional impact, using dynamics to highlight the urgency of the message.
Tracklist
- 1 Legal at Last Start here 3:41
- 2 Nabbed in Nebraska 4:34
- 3 Chemtrails 4:07
- 4 Gasoline 4:33
- 5 I'm Alive 4:28
- 6 Talking to a Wall 4:05
- 7 Glass House 3:36
- 8 Plastic in Paradise 5:14
- 9 Bottom Line 3:05
- 10 Food for the Vulture 4:38
- 11 Said and Done 5:13
- 12 No Time 3:15
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Shares a raw energy and rebellious spirit, celebrating freedom and the thrill of rock 'n' roll.
Painkiller
Judas Priest
Embraces powerful riffs and themes of resilience in the face of adversity, echoing similar lyrical fervor.
The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden
Combines heavy metal anthems with narrative storytelling, reflecting on freedom and darker societal themes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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