Death To All But Metal

The Zoo Crew is spinning the anthem "Death To All But Metal" by Steel Panther from their debut album Feel The Steel, and the Zoo Freaks are surely banging their heads to this glam metal banger. This track, a battle cry for heavy metal purists, has some wild stories behind it. In an interview with Louder, vocalist Michael Starr shared that the song’s lyrics were inspired by their disdain for non-metal acts like Kanye West and 50 Cent, with the band pinning up pictures of rap and hip-hop artists they "hated" in the recording booth to fuel Starr’s performance. Guitarist Satchel added that the song evolved from riffs they had lying around, with lyrics that took jabs at mainstream music, cementing their unapologetic heavy metal ethos. The music video, featuring comedian Sarah Silverman as a principal, was too provocative for MTV, which refused to air it due to its explicit content. Corey Taylor of Slipknot joined them for a memorable live performance at Download Festival 2012, rocking wellies on stage in front of over 100,000 fans, as noted on Wikipedia. A post on X from @MetalHammer in 2016 highlighted an acoustic version of the song, showing its versatility even when stripped down.

Another juicy tidbit comes from BraveWords, where Satchel and Starr described "Death To All But Metal" as not just a song but a "way of life" for the band. They recounted its origins as one of their first original tracks when transitioning from a cover band, capturing their mission to resurrect glam metal with a comedic twist. The song’s lyrics, packed with jabs at bands like the Goo Goo Dolls and Eminem, as seen on Genius, stirred controversy for their crude humor and perceived homophobia, with Distorted Sound Magazine noting the fine line between satire and offense. Despite this, the track became a fan favorite, with Reddit users on r/Metal praising its catchy riffs and witty lyrics, though some felt the band’s humor wore thin after the first album. The song’s impact was undeniable, helping Feel The Steel hit #1 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart and earn Gold certification in the UK in 2024, as shared on Wikipedia.

Steel Panther started as a comedic glam metal act in Los Angeles, born from the ashes of their earlier incarnations as Metal Shop and Metal Skool. Formed in 2000 by vocalist Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr), guitarist Russ Parrish (Satchel), bassist Travis Haley (Lexxi Foxx), and drummer Darren Leader (Stix Zadinia), the band cut their teeth playing hair metal covers on the Sunset Strip, as detailed on Wikipedia. Their weekly gigs at venues like the Viper Room and Key Club built a cult following, with celebrities like Corey Taylor and Kelly Clarkson joining them on stage, according to The Fashion Spot. Initially a parody act, they leaned into exaggerated 80s metal personas, complete with big hair and spandex, poking fun at the era’s excess. In 2008, they rebranded as Steel Panther, dropping the cover band shtick to focus on originals. Their signing with Republic Records in 2008 led to Feel The Steel in 2009, a game-changer that blended shredding solos with raunchy humor, cementing their niche in the metal scene.

The band’s journey wasn’t without hiccups. Their over-the-top lyrics and stage antics, described by TV Tropes as an affectionate parody of hair metal, drew both fans and critics. They gained mainstream attention with appearances on MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory and a Gene Simmons roast, as noted on Wikipedia. By 2023, they’d released six albums, with On The Prowl hitting #1 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart, and even rocked America’s Got Talent, tweaking "Death To All But Metal" for primetime, per Billboard. The current lineup includes Joe "Spyder" Lester on bass, replacing Lexxi Foxx in 2022. Fans can catch up with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect, check out the fan-driven Steel Panther Fans Facebook group or the community at Metal Storm, where 131 fans share their love for the band’s outrageous antics.