[7] Fistful of Metal was recorded in Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York and produced by Carl Canedy, drummer in The Rods.

[8] Shortly after the release of Fistful of Metal, Lilker was fired by Turbin who didn't inform the rest of the band about his decision [9][10].

[13] Music journalist Eddie Trunk stated: "Early on, I told Jon Zazula that what I didn't like about Anthrax was singer Neil Turbin's vocals.

It was released as a double album by Music for Nations in the UK, featuring extra mixes of "Soldiers of Metal" and "Howling Furies", which were not included on the US edition.

[16] Megaforce repackaged a compilation of Fistful of Metal and the 1985 extended play Armed and Dangerous in 2005, which featured a different artwork and some liner notes, but excluded any new mixes and bonus tracks.

"[22] Writing in the Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Colin Larkin called the cover art "tasteless", but commended the album's small, but steady commercial performance.

Huey found the lyrics utilizing heavy metal stereotypes and opined fans would find the record "off-putting".

In 1986, the album was banned in Germany by the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons for its violent cover artwork.