Review Summary: The best Heavy Metal band you have not heard yet.
Life can be cruel sometimes. What kind of world do we live on when epic musical genius like the guys from Anvil do not get their dues for their talent and should be known by all the head bangers. Anvil is now having a minor comeback with the release of their critically acclaimed documentary, which is how I got exposed to them. They have their music recently appeared in Rock Band 2, GTA: Chinatown, Brutal Legend, Final Destination 4, and now will have an appearance in the new Green Hornet movie, only after decades of obscurity. You think opening for major 80s bands like Whitesnake and Scorpions would boost their popularity.
This album is probably their only decently sold record they ever had; they never expanded afterwards. Their early albums and opening acts has even influenced the Big 4 of Thrash Metal, who knows what other bands they inspired.
So who are Anvil? Well the 2 major players are
Steve "Lips" Kudlow is the lead singer and lead guitarist. This guy can totally shred, and screams like the best of them (Including Rob, Joey and Ronnie)
One of the key components is Robb Reiner (Not the dude who directed Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride.) whose named should be known by all aspiring drummers. This guy hit the drums with such speed, perfect rythmn, and power. It was his drumming that inspired drumming techniques for all thrash and more extreme form of heavy metal.
It is the winning combo of these two guys, the strong brotherhood that was forged by two metalhead teens in the middle of Canada, that they vowed will die together to the end while they enbark on an journey of heavy metal, and the hardship they must face.
Metal on Metal: The album starts with an unheard Heavy Metal anthem. This the song that should be chanted by all the metalheads around the world. I love the chorus and lyrics of this song. 5
Mothra The intro is classic, this is the song I imagine to be playing in a battle royale of giant monsters and robot in Tokyo It has chants of MONTHRA!!!!! Like one of those old school Godzilla, giant robot animes, and Power Rangers, with a harder heavy metal edge. Monthra is the most theartrical of all the song with it’s monster roars and operatic sound. This is the perfect moshpit song ever 5
Stop Me This is probably the slowest song of this album. The riff works well with Steven singing, in fact this is his best sang song of this album. It has a friggen beautiful mellow guitar solo. 5
March of The Crabs: This is the only instrumental song. The shredding and the beat is awesome. With the perfect bookends, from the intro and outro 5 Cool Intro cool outro. Since this is an instrumental, the guitar and drum is at their best here
Jackhammer: This is best headbangable song; this song reminds of Anthrax for some reason. Awesome drumming, with an epic bridge and solo. 5
Heat Sink: I love how this song is constructed, going from mid tempo to fast all fluidly. The Rhythm and is perfect and uplifting, making it the most peppy upbeat song. 4.5
Tag Team: This has the best riff from the entire album, actually its one of the best metal riffs ever. It’s heavy, loud, sleazy, and epic. With the riff backing up the song, the chorus is badass as well. 5
Scenery: This has the best intro of the album, with it's loud as hell drumming it makes this song the most epic and bombastic song on the album. This song reminds of something from KISS' Destroyer album with a harder edge. 5
Tease Me, Please Me: This song has a very driven focused beat. The drums really bring out this song 5
666: This is the missing link between old school NWOBHM to American Thrash, and it's from Canada of all places. This has the least clean vocals of the album. Robb voice is all schreechy and dark faux-demonic chanting “666” similar to Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil song. The guitar solo will kick your ass. 5
Highlights: Metal on Metal, Monthra March of Crabs, Tag Team, Scenery, 666
After I was done with album, I realize this more than a good album, its a friggen lost gem of a masterpiece. This is an Heavy Metal album I’ll put highly next to “Painkiller”, “Rust In Peace”, and “Paranoid.” All metalheads must buy this album.
No duds at all.
So why are not buying this album right now?
