Is Monument of Metal a good place to start with Anvil?

Yes, Monument of Metal is recommended as a starting point for new Anvil listeners. A relentless barrage of riffs and thunderous drums, embodying the raw energy of classic heavy metal. By the time 'Monument of Metal' was released in 2011, Anvil had experienced a resurgence in popularity following the documentary 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil.' This album marked their return to recording after a series of lineup changes and prior struggles, showcasing their commitment to the heavy metal genre during their fourth decade as a band.

Who is Monument of Metal for?

Monument of Metal works well if you're into high-octane riffs for energy, dynamic journey with peaks and sing-along anthems in groups.

How many songs are on Monument of Metal?

Monument of Metal has 19 tracks, running approximately 78 minutes.

Monument of Metal

Anvil · 2011

78 min · 19 tracks · heavy metal

A relentless barrage of riffs and thunderous drums, embodying the raw energy of classic heavy metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Metal on Metal Start here — This track epitomizes Anvil's signature sound with its driving guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, making it a staple of their live shows.
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666 — The track combines intricate guitar work with dark themes, capturing the band's ability to blend melody with traditional heavy metal elements.
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Mothra — With its dynamic tempo shifts and aggressive instrumentation, this track showcases Anvil's technical prowess while paying homage to classic metal motifs.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid heavy metal writing but lacks cohesion due to its length and mix of live and studio tracks.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Metal on Metal', and maintains a fast tempo throughout the first half before introducing slower tracks in the second half.
Several songs feature dual guitar harmonies that are characteristic of classic heavy metal, particularly in tracks like 'Winged Assassins' and 'Thumb Hang'.
The last three tracks include a live version of 'Jackhammer', which shifts the energy dynamics, contrasting with the studio recordings.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

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

high-octane riffs for energy
dynamic journey with peaks
sing-along anthems in groups
playful irreverence throughout tracks
for headbanging sessions

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, mellow tunes
seek standalone singles only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — This album showcases Anvil's continued vitality after a resurgence in popularity.
Themes: heavy metal resurgence· thunderous riffs
Career context: By the time 'Monument of Metal' was released in 2011, Anvil had experienced a resurgence in popularity following the documentary 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil.' This album marked their return to recording after a series of lineup changes and prior struggles, showcasing their commitment to the heavy metal genre during their fourth decade as a band.
Stylistic neighbors: Accept· Judas Priest· Motörhead