Jeff Beck, widely regarded as one of rock's greatest and most versatile guitarists, was known for pushing his sound across genres, from blues and rock to fusion, but had little patience for one style in particular: over-the-top heavy metal. Despite indirectly influencing the genre's development through his heavy riffing on albums like Truth, and his rivalry with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Beck felt most metal bands prioritised volume and effects over the subtlety and blues feeling he valued as the soul of guitar playing.

Beck described the genre as "flat-out ear assault," criticising excessive amps, volume and speed for leaving him "physically upset" rather than moved, and argued that heavy use of effects racks buried the natural subtleties of guitar and amp. He acknowledged exceptions, such as Eddie Van Halen, but generally felt metal lacked the bluesy foundation heard in his own celebrated work, including the instrumental ‘Cause We've Ended as Lovers’ from Blow By Blow. For Beck, the article notes, music was about honouring the past while moving guitar playing forward, which is why he continues to be seen as a touchstone for guitarists studying the instrument's true potential.