http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2710383 seems to be the source.

IMO it is still pretty strange. I would feel a lot more comfortable if he said "close to the wire" (as in little abstraction above the basic TCP/HTTP layer).

with what definition of metal again?

Why, V8 of course.

that's still an "unusual" (to say the least) definition.

Hopefully sarcastic.