The "Gold Is The Metal With The Broadest Shoulders" LP by Coil is released on Mute. Originally issued in 1987, the album is not a conventional studio album but a collection of outtakes, demos, and interim versions from the sessions for "Scatology," "Horse Rotorvator," and the Hellraiser contributions, functioning as a documentary in-between space within the band’s body of work.

Musically, the record operates in the tension between experimental electronics, dark ambient aesthetics, and industrial inflections; found sound, sparse beats, and collage-like arrangements define the tracks. Individual pieces such as "Thump" and "The Anal Staircase" showcase Coil’s preference for sample-based constructions, while "The Last Rites Of Spring" prominently references Stravinsky material that recurs in varied form. The often fragmentary structure emphasizes sound design and atmospheric density over conventional song form.

The line-up and contributors read like a who’s who of the era’s avant-garde: John Balance and Peter Christopherson are at the center, joined by Stephen Thrower and guest appearances from Alex Fergusson, Jim Thirlwell, Billy McGee, and Andrew Poppy; production is credited to Coil. Earlier editions included additional items such as a bonus 7" single and printed matter, underscoring the release’s character as a curated collection.