Public Image Ltd.'s "Metal Box"
 

I've been checking this band out lately, they are totally awesome. This record seems from what ive heard to be their finest moment, however i havent been able to buy it yet..But anyway, what a bizarre thing to do after Sex pistols for Lydon.. this band was wayahead of their times and they rocked hard.. Keith levine's weird metallic guitar parts are really interesting, jah wobbles bass lines are superb, hes really good, Lydon's whiney anger is really good too and then the drummer(s) are super too. So discuss.

Extremely innovative and highly skilled band. The first three LPs are fantastic! They certainly did some lameness later on, but the first 3 are essential listening for fans of angular guitar virtuosity that is not showy at all coupled with one of the finest rhythm sections of their time.
I think in many ways this band eclipses the Sex Pistols in terms of skill, vision and influence.

This is Religion.

This is a band that pisses all over the Sex Pistols.

If you're looking into things, then the 'Plastic Box' compilation is an affordable monster, with all of their stuff in the proper order.

Track Info:
The only previously unreleased track on the box set is an unused LP remix of 'This is Not a Love Song' from the 'This is What You Want...' sessions. (Incidentally the track was picked accidentally by Virgin!).
However, the set also includes the Radio 1 John Peel Sessions 17.12.79 & Mark Goodier Live Session 25.2.92 which had never been officially released.
The set also includes a selection of B-sides, rare tracks & mixes that were previously unavailable on CD (eg; Death Disco 12" / Pied Piper / Selfish Rubbish & Criminal).

I just started listening to them again after reading the "Rip it up and start again" chapters about PiL, it gave it a good amount of context as to how they evolved as a band. PiL's first album blows away anthing the pistols did, it's like comparing Pavement to WHitesnake (not that i'm totally bashing the pistols, first hearing nevermind the bollocks was a key point in getting me into various bands, but the music is pretty dull)

and metal box completely upped the ante

DOY, they are so cool..

metal box is a fucking amazing record, really got into this a while ago, it was all i listened to for a few weeks. you know how one record can dominate your playlist, well this was one. love it.

I like this project! then Text Of Light are ended up a 3 cd box on UK Dirter called 'Metal Box' packaged in a metal box with the ToL logo embossed!

Metal Box is also known as 2nd edition, it doesn't come in a metal box anymore. Its pretty angular and a little scary.

Flowers of Romance was always my favourite PiL album. Sounded like the weirdest thing to a 14 year old!

IS there any place with the tabs for "poptones"???

I love this album, got an original cassette copy (second edition) and I boost the bass way the fuck up in my car. My favorite PiL album easily.

I totally agree with this... the first three platters were a real kick in the teeth for all of the Punk Fashionistas... Post Punk ruled.

It's just a shame that Lydon went on to ruin it all.

I didn't know PiL did Pistols songs. I thought Lydon was against it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzboMsaURqw

There was a CD re-release a while ago that came in a miniature version of the metal box. I heard they were also going to re-release the original 45s in the film can, a limited run or something.

Does anyone else notice a fair bit of a similarity between Metal Box & the first SY ep in parts?

I own Second Edition and have been listening to it for the past few weeks. Amazing album for sure, I really can't think of anything that sounds like it.

Yes, specially in the dancey percussion/ deep deep bass / tinny abstract guitar lines/ yelping angiushed vocals on some tracks.