Heavy Metal Poisoning is a song by American rock band Styx

Styx (band)

Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....

. It was included as the fifth track on their 1983 studio album Kilroy Was Here

Kilroy Was Here (album)

Kilroy Was Here is the eleventh album, a rock opera/concept album by the rock band Styx, released on February 28, 1983. The title comes from a famous World War II graffiti "Kilroy was here".-Background:...

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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

Music Time (song)

"Music Time" redirects here. For the British TV series, see here."Music Time" is the sole studio track released on the live Styx album, Caught in the Act. It peaked at number 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart....

" (from the band's 1984 double live album Caught in the Act

Caught in the Act (Styx album)

Caught in the Act is a live album by Styx, released in 1984. It contains one new song, "Music Time", which was released as a single, reaching #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts....

in 1984.

Backmasking

The song begins with the backmasked

Backmasking

Backmasking is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward on to a track that is meant to be played forward...

 Latin words "Annuit Cœptis

Annuit Cœptis

Annuit cœptis is one of two mottos on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States....

, Novus Ordo Seclorum

Novus Ordo Seclorum

The phrase Novus ordo seclorum appears on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, first designed in 1782 and printed on the back of the United States one-dollar bill since 1935. The phrase also appears on the coat of arms of the Yale School of Management, Yale University's business...

" ("God has favored our undertakings; a new order for the ages")—part of the Great Seal

Great Seal of the United States

The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States federal government. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself , and more generally for the design impressed upon it...

 which encircles the pyramid on the back of the American dollar bill

United States one-dollar bill

The United States one-dollar bill is the most common denomination of US currency. The first president, George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart, is currently featured on the obverse, while the Great Seal of the United States is featured on the reverse. The one-dollar bill has the oldest...

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Video

The video of the track was directed by Brian Gibson (alongside the videos for "Mr. Roboto

Mr. Roboto

"Mr. Roboto" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by the band Styx on their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here. In Canada, where they were always more popular than in their native U.S., it went to #1 on the RPM national singles chart, becoming their third single to top the charts in...

" and "Don't Let It End

Don't Let It End

"Don't Let It End" is the third track on the 1983 album Kilroy Was Here, by Styx.The song was written and sung by Dennis DeYoung. The track is a mid-tempo ballad about one who breaks up with a lover and pleads to get the person back...

"). 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. 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

Rockers (album)

Rockers is a compilation of songs by the band Styx. It was released in 2003.-Track listing:#"Midnight Ride" – 4:18#"Shooz" – 4:44#"Crystal Ball" – 4:26#"Miss America" – 5:01...

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Personnel

• James "J.Y." Young
  James Young (American musician)
  James "J.Y." Young is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and member of the rock band, Styx. Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years.J.Y...
  
   - electric guitars, lead and backing vocals, guitar synthesizers
• Dennis DeYoung
  Dennis DeYoung
  Dennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
  
   - synthesizers, backing vocals
• Chuck Panozzo
  Chuck Panozzo
  Charles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo is an American musician best known as the bass player for the rock band Styx. A longtime member of Styx, he founded the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, and singer Dennis DeYoung...
  
   - bass guitar
• John Panozzo
  John Panozzo
  John Anthony Panozzo was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx.Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck . At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an...
  
   - drums
• Tommy Shaw
  Tommy Shaw
  Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
  
  - electric guitars, guitar solo, backing vocals