Heavy Metal Poisoning
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
| "Heavy Metal Poisoning" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Heavy Metal Poisoning" is a song by American rock band Styx. It was included as the fifth track on their 1983 studio album Kilroy Was Here.
The song in the story of Kilroy Was Here has the character of Dr Righteous (portrayed by James "JY" Young) preaching the "evils" of rock and roll. The song got some minor airplay on FM rock radio but its music video got significant airplay on MTV upon release.
It would be released as a B-side to the single "Music Time" (from the band's 1984 double live album Caught in the Act) in 1984.
Backmasking
The song begins with the backmasked Latin words "Annuit Cœptis, Novus Ordo Seclorum" ("God has favored our undertakings; a new order for the ages")—part of the Great Seal which encircles the pyramid on the back of the American dollar bill.[citation needed] If listened closely enough, just after the second chorus and instrumental break, another backmasked message can be heard, saying "Satan holds the secrets".[citation needed]
Video
The video of the track was directed by Brian Gibson (alongside the videos for "Mr. Roboto" and "Don't Let It End"). The video has Dr. Righteous performing a sermon on The Dr. Righteous Show with his two henchmen (portrayed by the Panozzo twins) by his side. Interspersed is footage of people and members of The Majority for Musical Morality setting fire to guitars and records. On Righteous' TV show, Righteous brainwashes a youth who was inflicted with the "evils" of rock and roll which was almost thwarted when Jonathan Chance (played by Tommy Shaw) tried to save the youth only to escape from being arrested by the Majority of Musical Morality. While the Tommy Shaw character mimes the guitar solo, it is actually played by James 'J.Y.' Young. At the end of the clip, Righteous succeeds in "curing" a youth from the "evils" of rock and roll.
It is included on the Styx compilation album Styx Rockers.
Personnel
- James "J.Y." Young - electric guitars, guitar solo, lead and backing vocals, guitar synthesizers
- Dennis DeYoung - synthesizers, backing vocals
- Chuck Panozzo - bass guitar
- John Panozzo - drums
- Tommy Shaw - electric guitars, backing vocals
