Is Speed of Sound a good place to start with Anvil?

Yes, Speed of Sound is recommended as a starting point for new Anvil listeners. A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and anthemic choruses echoing the spirit of classic metal with a fresh late '90s edge. By 1999, Anvil had experienced a turbulent career marked by early success in the '80s, followed by years of obscurity. 'Speed of Sound' was their first album released after a five-year hiatus, aiming to reclaim their place in the heavy metal landscape and showcase their enduring sound.

Who is Speed of Sound for?

Speed of Sound works well if you're into steady mid-tempo headbangers, tongue-in-cheek lyrical humor and for road trips.

How many songs are on Speed of Sound?

Speed of Sound has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Speed of Sound

Anvil · 1999

39 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and anthemic choruses echoing the spirit of classic metal with a fresh late '90s edge.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Speed of Sound Start here — The title track serves as an exhilarating opener, showcasing Anvil's signature blend of speed and melody, encapsulating the album's energetic drive.
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Deadbeat Dad — This track tackles personal themes with a punchy rhythm and memorable hooks, demonstrating Anvil's ability to blend storytelling with heavy metal dynamics.
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Blood in the Playground — With its aggressive riffs and socially conscious lyrics, this song exemplifies Anvil's knack for addressing serious themes while maintaining their powerful sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid heavy metal songwriting with engaging choruses but lacks standout depth for lasting appeal.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing slightly in the latter tracks.
Chorus sections are often anthemic, featuring repeated phrases that invite listener participation, particularly in tracks like 'Blood in the Playground' and 'Life to Lead'.
Several songs incorporate tempo changes, such as 'Deadbeat Dad', which shifts from a driving rhythm to a more laid-back groove mid-song.

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: 6/10

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

steady mid-tempo headbangers
tongue-in-cheek lyrical humor
for road trips
celebratory anthems for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of slow introspection
prefer complex, lengthy compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Re-established Anvil's relevance after years of obscurity, marking a return to form.
Themes: heavy metal resurgence· personal struggles· social commentary
Career context: By 1999, Anvil had experienced a turbulent career marked by early success in the '80s, followed by years of obscurity. 'Speed of Sound' was their first album released after a five-year hiatus, aiming to reclaim their place in the heavy metal landscape and showcase their enduring sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Accept· Judas Priest· Motörhead