Strength of Steel
Anvil · 1987
41 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and high-pitched vocals that embody the spirit of classic metal with a raw edge.
Top tracks — play these first
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Strength of Steel Start here — The title track encapsulates the band's ethos with its powerful anthemic chorus and driving guitar riffs, showcasing their commitment to heavy metal's core themes.
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Concrete Jungle — This track combines aggressive rhythms with vivid storytelling about urban life, representing Anvil's ability to merge lyrical depth with musical intensity.
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Kiss of Death — With its dramatic structure and emotive vocal delivery, this song stands out as a testament to Anvil's songwriting prowess and their flair for theatricality in metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Strength of Steel showcases classic heavy metal elements but lacks standout songwriting and cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a rapid tempo and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a high-energy tone for the first half.
- Several tracks incorporate dual guitar harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which is a hallmark of classic heavy metal.
- The last three tracks exhibit a noticeable shift in dynamics, with 'Kiss of Death' featuring a slower tempo and more melodic elements compared to earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive listening sessions
- anthemic sing-along moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in their catalog that showcases classic metal themes but is less recognized.
- Themes
- heavy metal resilience· 1980s metal scene
- Career context
- Released on May 21, 1987, Strength of Steel was Anvil's fifth studio album during a challenging period in their career. Following the critical success of their previous album, Metal on Metal, Anvil sought to solidify their reputation amidst a changing heavy metal landscape dominated by glam rock and thrash. This album marked a pivotal moment as they aimed to reclaim their place in the metal hierarchy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Accept· Judas Priest· Motörhead
Tracklist
- 1 Strength of Steel Start here 3:28
- 2 Concrete Jungle 5:19
- 3 9-2-5 2:53
- 4 I Dreamed It Was the End of the World 4:14
- 5 Flight of the Bumble Beast 2:27
- 6 Cut Loose 3:25
- 7 Mad Dog 3:11
- 8 Straight Between the Eyes 3:15
- 9 Wild Eyes 3:24
- 10 Kiss of Death 5:20
- 11 Paper General 4:50
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Defenders of the Faith
Judas Priest
Shares heavy riffs and high-pitched vocals, embodying the metal spirit of the '80s.
Powerslave
Iron Maiden
Features intricate guitar work and themes of resilience, aligning with the heavy metal ethos of the era.
Master of Puppets
Metallica
Combines relentless energy and complex arrangements, reflecting the raw edge of mid-'80s metal.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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