description Metal Box Overview
Metal Box is the second studio album by the English band Public Image Ltd, released in 1979. Its original edition placed three 45 rpm 12-inch records inside a round metal canister, while later editions used the title Second Edition. The music combines Jah Wobble's dub-influenced bass, Keith Levene's abrasive guitar, John Lydon's vocals, and spacious production to create an influential form of experimental post-punk.
insights Ranking position
Metal Box ranks #8 of 681 in the Post Punk Album ranking, behind Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures, ahead of Talk Talk - Laughing Stock.
help Metal Box FAQ
Why was Metal Box packaged in an actual metal can?
The original 1979 edition contained three 12-inch records inside a round metal film canister. Its unusual packaging matched Public Image Ltd's anti-commercial presentation but could also make the records awkward to remove and store.
Why was Metal Box spread across three 45 rpm records?
The format allowed the music to be cut at 45 rpm across six sides, supporting strong sound quality and deep bass. A later conventional release, titled Second Edition, rearranged the same album onto two standard LPs.
How did Jah Wobble shape the sound of Metal Box?
Jah Wobble's heavy, repetitive bass lines provide the foundation for tracks such as Albatross and Poptones. The dub influence leaves large spaces around Keith Levene's guitar and John Lydon's voice.
Is Metal Box a punk album like the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks?
John Lydon fronts both records, but Metal Box moves away from the Sex Pistols' direct guitar attack. Public Image Ltd instead uses dub bass, metallic guitar textures, unconventional song lengths, and a deliberately fragmented post-punk sound.
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