Canadian metal mongers Anvil have been around a long time. In the mid 80's Lips, Dave Allison and Co. constantly adorned the covers of magazines like Kerrang and Metal Forces and made a major impact on thrash and speed metal. For some odd reason their popularity swiftly dropped off after the release of the "Backwaxed" collection. Anvil, along with their Canadian counterparts Exciter, fell behind bands like Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, and the soon emerging Bay Area thrash movement. Despite this setback, as well as label problems, legal problems, and the loss of members, Anvil has forged ahead, continuing to release high caliber speed metal year after year.

"You thought that metal was a trend, I've got some news for you my friend. Anvil music is what I am. I really don't give a damn if you think that we suck...Real Metal!" -Lips

Anvil - Hard 'n' Heavy (Unidisc) 1981 Anvil - Hard 'n' Heavy (Attic) 1981 1. "School Love" (3:15) 2. "AC/DC" (4:41) 3. "At the Apartment" (3:21) 4. "I Want You Both (With Me)" (3:21) 5. "Bedroom Game" (4:01) 6. "Oooh Baby" (2:56) 7. "Paint it Black" (3:55) 8. "Oh Jane" (4:53) 9. "Hot Child" (4:10) 10. "Bondage" (4:31)

Lips

"Hard 'n Heavy" was originally released under the band name LIPS, until the band signed with Attic Records and changed their name to Anvil. "Hard 'N Heavy" sounds unlike any other Anvil album. Before recording it the band had been playing the bar scene in Canada for many years in the late 70's. This album is a result of those years of bar shows. It's less metallic, and certainly less aggressive, but having grown up with this album it has a certain appeal that I have always liked. Songs like "School Love" and "AC/DC" reek of that early NWOBHM sound, although Anvil obviously are not a European band. Even the obligitory cover of the Stone's "Paint It Black" has that infectious, raw edge that made bands like Raven and Anvil so appealing in the early 80's. Of particular interest to me is the Ted Nugent influences, especially on the song "Bondage" which plays considerable homage to 'ol Teddy during the guitar solo of the song. However, the Ted Nugent influence seems to be throughout. Unfortunately the lyrics on this album are all pretty cliché and downright silly, sounding much like Spinal Tap's "Sex Farm."

Anvil - Metal on Metal (Attic/Unidisc) 1982 1. "Metal on Metal" (3:57) 2. "Mothra" (5:08) 3. "Stop Me" (5:29) 4. "March Of The Crabs" [instrumental] (2:32) 5. "Jackhammer" (3:32) 6. "Heat Sink" (3:58) 7. "Tag Team" (4:11) 8. "Scenery" (4:45) 9. "Tease Me, Please Me" (4:57) 10. "666" (4:46)

Anvil - Metal on Metal vinyl picture disc.

A groundbreaking album in the heavy metal scene. Canada's Anvil were one of the few band's outside of Europe to have a significant effect in the NWOBHM scene. Anvil were gaining major popularity with the release of "Metal On Metal" and with good reason. The intensity level of this disc is like few others, especially coming from North America. Musically songs like "666" are matched by no one else. As a matter of fact, with the possible exception of Accept's "Fast As A Shark" or a few Raven tunes, this could be considered the first thrash metal song. Unfortunately the lyrical theme of this song is as cliché as one might imagine with such a song title. Lines like "I'd rather be a king below than a servant above...You heard my warning but you didn't, didn't, didn't learn...6, 6, 6" are rather insipid and typical of the early 80's heavy metal scene. Shock value is the name of the game here. Fortunately the rest of the album doesn't echo these same themes. "Metal on Metal", the song, is a metal anthem that still sounds a pounding as ever. This particular song is probably the band's most well known and respected, as much for it's lyrics as for the music. "March of the Crabs" is an instrumental that has been a concert staple and fan favorite ever since this album was released. If I am not mistaken, however, this song was being played by the band live even before this album was recorded. "Stop Me" is another one of those songs that will ring in your head forever with it's catchy melody and chorus. This song is about a female fan that wouldn't give into the band's sexual desires beyond a kiss. Overall, a raw, heavy slab of molten metal. Over two decades later and "Metal on Metal" is still one of the band's most respected albums. For years this album was nearly impossible to find, other than on the atrocious "Molten Masterpeices" re-issue. Finally in 2002 Unidisc put out remastered versions of the band's first four albums. There isn't much in the way of additional liner notes or photos, but all the original notes and cover art are included.

Anvil - Make It Up to You (Attic Records) 1983

SIDE ONE
1. Make It Up to You (Remix)
SIDE TWO
2. "Metal on Me"
3. "School Love"

12" version vinyl EP that was released to promote the "Forged In Fire" album. There are a couple of 7" versions of this as well. The most common has the same track listing as above, minus "School Love". A different 7" version replaces "Metal on Metal" with "Hard Times - Fast Ladies", also off "Forged in Fire". "Metal on Metal" is from the album of the same name, and "School Love" is from the band's debut "Hard 'n' Heavy".

Anvil - Forged in Fire (Axe Killer) 1983 1. "Forged in Fire" (4:42) 2. "Shadow Zone" (3:57) 3. "Free As The Wind" (5:31) 4. "Never Deceive Me" (3:30) 5. "Butter-Bust Jerky" (3:17) 6. "Future Wars" (3:07) 7. "Hard Times - Fast Ladies" (3:46) 8. "Make It Up To You" (3:30) 9. "Motormount" (3:41) 10. "Winged Assassins" (3:44) Forged in Fire Japanese LP There is no other album in the Anvil catalogue that is more a classic than "Forged in Fire." Anvil were at the top of their game here with an album that was slightly more technical than "Metal on Metal" yet still retaining an OTT spontaneity. "Forged in Fire" managed to take the early heavy metal sounds of Saxon, Priest and the Scorpions and make it noisier and faster, similar to Raven, bridging a gap between traditional metal and thrash metal. My particular copy is a 1998 French re-issue that contains lyrics, plenty of photos and a short essay by Martin Poppoff, author of 'the Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal.'

Steve "Lips" Kudlow

Anvil - Backwaxed (Attic) 1985 1. "Backwaxed" (3:45) 2. "Steamin'" (3:36) 3. "Pussy Poison" [instrumental] (2:38) 4. "You're A Liar" (4:52) 5. "Fryin' Cryin'" (3:04) 6. "Metal On Metal" (3:54) 7. "Butter-Bust Jerky" (3:17) 8. "Scenery" (4:39) 9. "Jackhammer" (3:30) 10. "School Love" (3:15)

Ian Dickson

This album was released by Attic, apparently with no interaction, or permission for that matter, from the band. This is why the album is not named in the usual Anvil fashion and is the only album to not have an anvil on the cover. The first 5 tracks were previously unreleased, except for "Steamin'" which was released as a limited edition European 12" EP. (Essentually unreleased.) The other 5 are from the first 3 albums. "Steamin'", "You're A Liar" and "Fryin' Cryin'" were apparently all recorded during the "Metal on Metal" sessions, but left off the album for unknown reasons. Of the "Forged in Fire" tracks, the label picked out the worst song from this excellent classic ("Butter-Bust Jerky" ). It's not that the song is bad, just that there are far better on the album, including the the title song. Only one song from the band's impossible to find first album makes it's way too ("School Love.") 'Metal on Metal' is one of my favorite metal anthems ever. Always thought it would be a cool song for some band to cover, but I have yet to hear one. This song has some gnarly vocals laid on top of a mean metal riff. Of the unreleased material, the best is "Steamin'" with it's shred solos and the instrumental "Pussy Poison." According to the liner notes this song was left off 'Hard n Heavy' due to the song title. "Backwaxed" a totally vile sex song that was left of 'Metal on Metal' for it's lyrical content. Odd that they would exclude a song for lyrical content, as if this was the only foul song the band ever wrote. "You're A Liar" features the vocals of guitarist Dave Allison for the first (and only) time. Overall, a decent compilation that has some nice rarities.

Hi Scott,
Nice to hear from you!!! I have looked at your page in the past and just had a quick reminder by looking just now. I'm particularly happy with what you wrote about Strength of Steel. I happen to agree with you on most points. In the end that is one of our most popular CD's and in fact it has sold more than most of our CD's. We were misunderstood in it's day. It was a good album and always will be. The main problem at that time in history it was the beginning of the fragmentation of the metal genre. Lines were drawn in the sand seperating commercial and non commercial rock. This CD played the line and it wasn't positively accepted from either faction of metal heads. You were correct in saying there was no commercial songs there...and the fact in retrospect is cemented as the truth because the album never got radio play then or now. All the best and thanks for your continued support....Steve Kudlow, ANVIL

Anvil-Pound for Pound (Metal Blade) 1988

1. "Blood on the Ice" (5:24)
2. "Corporate Preacher" (4:06)
3. "Toe Jam" (2:46)
4. "Safe Sex" (3:20)
5. "Where Does All the Money Go?" (4:04)
6. "Brain Burn" (3:30)
7. "Senile King" (4:05)
8. "Machine Gun" (2:55)
9. "Fire in the Night" (6:08)
10. "Cramps" (0:14)

Yet another solid heavy metal effort from Canada's Anvil. Apparently this was a return to form after a somewhat commercial, and disappointing "Strength of Steel." Upon writing this review, "Strength of Steel" is still the only Anvil disc I have yet to at least hear. This be true of not, this album is as pummeling as 'Metal on Metal' and 'Forged in Fire.' As usual for Anvil, the lyrics leave a bit to be desired, although I dig the brutal take on ice hockey in "Blood on the Ice". "Corporate Preacher" is yet another slam on TV Evangelists. Unfortunately, in '88, some of the evangelists were deserving of the chastisement they were receiving. What is unfortunate is that because of a few bad preachers, now all TV evangelists are lumped into the 'money hungry robbers' category. What would an Anvil album be without a stupid porn song? This one has two: a sexual square dance called "Toe Jam" that is just a fun romp and ditty, and "Safe Sex," yes a Spinal Tap-ish song about condom use. Yippie! This is one tradition I wish Anvil would drop. 'Pound on Pound" was their last studio album with original member Dave Allison.

Anvil-Worth The Weight (Mausoleum) 1991

1. "Infanticide" (7:41)
2. "On The Way to Hell" (6:04)
3. "Bushpig" (4:08)
4. "Embalmer" (6:54)
5. "Pow Wow" (6:00)
6. "Sins of the Flesh" (5:19)
7. "A.Z. #85" (3:12)
8. "Sadness" (2:21)
9. "Love Me When I'm Dead" (6:30)

This one was some three years in the making and certainly Lips and company did not disappoint. New guitarist Sebastian Marino, who later joined Overkill, did an outstanding job. The songs are all bone crushing, not unlike an anvil might do if it were dropped on someone's skull. Long time skin pounder Rob Reiner sounds like he may have needed a new drum set after each song, as he totally destroyed the kit. The band has added some more technical leanings as well, making the songs themselves more interesting than that of anything on 'Pound for Pound.' Tempo changes, stops and starts, and mega-riffs abound. Certainly the band was trying to make a statement musically with this disc. This was the last album for original bassist Ian Dickson.

Some other non-important information that I stole off the band's web page;

Some working titles for this album were TOOLS OF TORTURE and EVOKE THE EVIL.

Lips' real name is Steve Kudlow.

In 1989 Dave Allison left Anvil. Sebastain Marino was recruited as his replacement. Sebastian is from New York, the only non-Canadian Anvil member. He left Anvil in 1995 and joined Overkill. Sebastian was replaced by guitarist Ivan Hurd. Sebastian has also been in an underground band called Ramrod since about 1993. Sebastian left Overkill in 1999. Ian Dickson left the band early in 1993. He was replaced by bassist Mike Duncan. Mike left in 1996 and was replaced by Glenn Five. Glenn Five's real name is Glenn Gyorffy.

At this point the rest of the original Anvil members remained, including Robb Reiner (drums), Lip (vocals/guitars), and Ian Dickson (bass).

Anvil-Past & Present Live (Metal Blade) 1989

1. "Concrete Jungle" (5:26)
2. "Toe Jam" (3:19)
3. "Motormount" (4:14)
4. "Forged In Fire" (5:30)
5. "Blood On The Ice" (5:58)
6. "March Of The Crabs/drum solo/Jackhammer" (11:59)
7. "Metal On Metal/Winged Assassins" (10:19)
8. "666/Mothra" (16:03)

"Past & Present Live" was recorded in San Pedro, California, USA and was the last album to feature Dave Allison. Much of the material on this disc is from the bands second and third albums. "March Of The Crabs", "Jackhammer", Metal On Metal", "666" and "Mothra" were originally recorded on 'Metal on Metal.' "Motormount", "Forged In Fire" and "Winged Assassins" were originally recorded on 'Forged in Fire.' "March of the Crabs" features a vicious drum solo by Robb Reiner, who is absolutely one of the heaviest drummers in the world. Overall the band give a good performance and a there is a good mix of songs, although I would have also liked to hear "School Love." Still, a killer live performance from one of the originators of speed metal.

Anvil-Plugged in Permanent (Metal Blade) 1996 1. "Racial Hostility" (5:05) 2. "Doctor Kevorkian" (3:56) 3. "Smokin' Green" (4:56) 4. "Destined for Doom" (5:16) 5. "Killer Hill" (3:27) 6. "Face Pull" (3:02) 7. "I'm Trying to Sleep" (3:02) 8. "5 Knuckle Shuffle" (3:27) 9. "Truth or Consequence" (6:39) 10. "Guilty" (6:44)

I'm sorry but I'm just not interested in hearing a song about how often Lips yanks his own chain ("5 Knuckle Shuffle"), nor do I care how much of a pot-head he is ("Smokin' Green"). Unfortunately, the lyrics on this disc are all pretty stupid. The music on the other hand, is excellent power/speed metal. Lips voice sounds as good as ever and the production on this disc is some of the best they have ever had, but the lyrics really hold this disc back. Great title for a metal disc though.

Anvil - Absolutely No Alternative (Massacre) 1997 1. "Old School" (3:46) 2. "Green Jesus" (3:51) 3. "Show Me Your Tits" (2:51) 4. "No One To Follow" (4:42) 5. "Hair Pie" (3:09) 6. "Rubber Neck" (3:11) 7. "Piss Test" (4:10) 8. "Red Light" (4:53) 9. "Black Or White" (3:29) 10. "Hero By Death" (5:22)

Steve "Lips" Kudlow 1996

Once again, Anvil dishes out some seriously heavy speed metal with those signature guitar solos and vocals of Lips. The lyrics on this disc, as with most Anvil discs, are a mixed bag. On the one hand we have a serious look at politics ("No One To Follow") and religious greed ("Green Jesus") sandwiched in between songs like "Show Me Your Tits" and "Hair Pie", both self explanatory. "Rubber Neck" is a song about driving by a car accident and staring at the accident rather than driving your own car, something everyone does where I live. "Piss Test" is about how current society has infringed the rights and privacy of people by forcing them to urinate in those little cups before getting a job, etc. So once again, great music, but I could do without the twisted sex songs. This album is their first album with Glenn Gyorffy. I also read on Anvil's homepage that there are two slightly different covers for this album. The difference is in the color of the lettering at the bottom of the cd.

Anvil - Speed of Sound (Massacre) 1998

1. "Speed Of Sound" (3:43) 2. "Blood In The Playground" (3:36) 3. "Deadbeat Dad" (3:52) 4. "Man Over Broad" (5:26) 5. "No Evil" (5:26) 6. "Bullshit" (3:24) 7. "Mattress Mambo" (5:21) 8. "Secret Agent" (3:52) 9. "Life To Lead" (4:04) 10. "Park That Truck" (3:30)

Anvil - Speed of Sound autographed LP.

One thing can be said of Anvil, they are certainly consistent. Canada's favorite speed metal band has progressively taken their production up to the highest standards, but the music and lyrical themes have not changed all that much. As usual there are the politically incorrect song ('Park the Truck'), the song about how metal reigns supreme ('Speed of Sound'), and the oddball sex song ('Matress Mambo). The music is faster than most of their early classics, but still retains the speed metal label. Lips voice sounds as brutal as ever. Overall, another fine Anvil output! Crank it up!

Anvil-Massacre's Classix Shape Edition Vol. 10 (Massacre) 1999

1. "Blood On The Ice" (5:58)
2. "Doctor Kevorkian" (3:56)
3. "Old School" (3:46)
4. "Speed Of Sound" (3:43)
5. "Metal On Metal" [live] (5:12)

A cooooool collector's disc for Anvil fans. The flying anvil of the shaped disc is from the 'Speed of Sound' cd. "Blood On The Ice" is from the album "Pound for Pound.". "Doctor Kevorkian" is from the album "Plugged in Permanent." "Old School" is from the album "Absolutely No Alternative". "Speed Of Sound" is from the album of the same name. (thanks Arttie)

Anvil-Anthology of Anvil (Metal Blade) 2000

1. "Metal On Metal" (3:57) 2. "Smokin' Green" (4:56) 3. "Winged Assassins" (3:46) 4. "Free As The Wind" (6:36) 5. "Old School" (3:47) 6. "Bushpig" (4:04) 7. "Blood On The Ice" (5:26) 8. "March Of The Crabs" [instrumental] (2:32) 9. "Jackhammer" (3:32) 10. "Speed Of Sound" (3:45) 11. "666" (4:47) 12. "Stolen" (4:37) 13. "Paper General" (4:47) 14. "Forged In Fire" [live] (5:20) 15. "School Love" (3:16) 16. "Motormount" (3:40) 17. "Doctor Kevorkian" (3:47) 18. "Mothra" (5:06)

Lips

Excellent career retrospective of one of heavy metal's most respected underground bands. One of the nice things about this disc is the lengthy liner notes, written by fellow Canadian Martin Poppoff, author of the Heavy Metal Collector's Guide. The five page write-up is titled "Anvil: 20 Years of Thrash," and includes quotes by Anvil members as well as personal comments by Lips about specific songs on this collection. We are even given explanations as to why original members Ian Dickson and Dave Allison left the band. A complete discography (minus "Backwaxed") is also included. The song selection comes from all the band's releases but has a strong showing from "Metal On Metal" material. Unfortunately, there is only one rare song. "Stolen" is from the Japanese version of "Plugged in Permanent". This particular track has not been released on any other Anvil release until this collection. My only wish would have been for a couple more "Hard n Heavy" tracks.

Anvil-Plenty of Power (Hypnotic) 2001 1. "Plenty Of Power" (4:02) 2. "Groove Science" (3:21) 3. "Ball Of Fire" (3:51) 4. "The Creep" (3:38) 5. "Computer Drone" (6:16) 6. "Beat The Law" (3:34) 7. "Pro Wrestling" (4:27) 8. "Siren Of The Sea" (4:14) 9. "Disgruntled" (3:20) 10. "Real Metal" (4:22) 11. "Left Behind" (5:24)

Well, as I have said before, Anvil are nothing if not consistent. I can't imagine any fan of the band not liking this disc as it's pure Anvil speed metal. The Canadian metal legend are one of the very few bands, who were part of the early days of the metal scene and have never let their musical direction waver nor have they let their fans down. One noticeable improvement, at least in my opinion, is the lack of any silly porno songs. HORRAYYYY! I applaud this for sure. Lyrical content covers topics like Pro Wrestling, Disgruntled Postal Workers, Armageddon, being chased by the police and even someone who is addicted to the computer ("Computer Drone"). One other minor change is that the overall sound of "Plenty of Power" is less thrash oriented than the last few albums, recalling more of the "Metal on Metal/Forged in Fire" days. There is still plenty of speed, especially in songs like "Real Metal," which is a song that would make Manowar proud! The last song is a bonus track that is apparently only on the Canadian version. The European version has a bonus track called "Dirty Dorothy".

Anvil-Still Going Strong (Massacre) 2002

1. "Race Against Time" (4:35) 2. "In Hell" (4:20) 3. "Holy Wood" (3:27) 4. "Still Going Strong" (3:40) 5. "Don't Ask Me" (4:38) 6. "Waiting" (4:25) 7. "White Rhino" [instrumental] (5:19) 8. "What I'm About" (4:38) 9. "Sativa" (3:10) 10. "Defiant" (3:58)

As the title so eloquently puts it, Anvil are Still Going Strong. If anyone is looking for a change in style from 'ol Anvil, they need to look elsewhere because Anvil are still putting forth bone crushing heavy metal. For some reason, "Still Going Strong" seems to be less focused on speed and aggression than "Speed of Sound" and more on songwriting. The album starts off with a heavy riff that sounds like if could have been written for Judas Priest's "Painkiller", and never really lets up from track one through track ten. Lyrically, Lips doesn't cover any new ground, once again singing the praises of heavy metal and cannabis sativa, as well as his usual rants about living free and religious wrongs. For me personally, some songs are intriguing, causing me to dig out the lyrics and take a deeper look. However, other songs tend to just irritate me. On this disc we have songs like "Holy Wood", that rightly questions the terrible problems within the Catholic church, but at the same time questions whether the entire Bible is even valid. "The Bible is a book that started with Adam and Eve, filled with mambo jumbo, do you believe?" Well, I do! In any case, I particularly like the lyrics to the title track that give a brief overview of rock 'n' roll and plainly states, "critics said, it won't last long, (but) after 50 years, still going strong." "Waiting" gave me a good laugh. Only Lips would think to write a song about how impatient he is and how much he hates having to wait in lines at the grocery store and at banks. "White Rhino" is an instrumental that is made up mostly of a very cool drum solo. Drum and guitar solos have become very unpopular in recent years, so it could be said that Anvil are now the one's going against the grain. But then Anvil never have really cared for trends. Perhaps that is why they are Still Going Strong while many others have passed away.

Anvil - Ironclad-The Very Best of Anvil

An excellent two disc compilation of the finest metal Anvil has to offer. The reason this disc is so excellent is because it was put together by a friend and myself. We chose some of our favorites from each and every Anvil release, save for Backwaxed (1985) and 'Past & Present Live' (1989). I wanted to include "Steamin'" and the instrumental "Pussy Poison", but unfortunatly ran out of room. On disc two we didn't include any tracks from their newly released 'Back to the Basics' CD because, once again, we ran out of room and didn't want to delete any songs that were already included from the strong Speed of Sound, Plenty of Power and Still Going Strong albums. Of course I wouldn't even include this disc on my site if it weren't for the professional way the discs were made, right down to the cool Anvil cover and print on the disc. (thanks Trog) Here is the breakdown:

Anvil - Back to Basics (Massacre Records) 2004

Some bands change directions and styles with each new release, others are like Motorhead, AC/DC and Anvil that know what they do best and prefer to refine their own sound and stay within the confines of that sound. That is certainly the case with Anvil, they are nothing if not consistent. Because of that Anvil take flack from reviewers who are looking for the next new thing. This fan, however, prefers that Anvil sticks to their classic heavy metal sound and that is exactly what Lips and Co. did with "Back to the Basics". This disc is pure heavy metal from the vicious "The Chainsaw" and "Bottom Feeder" to the melodic "Cruel World." As would be expected from an Anvil disc, there are plenty of choice guitar licks laid over top the chugging riffage. OK, so perhaps I am just an Anvil die-hard and will not be able to find fault with anything they do. So what! As long as Anvil keeps pumping out Metal on Metal I will be buying their music.

Add to the appeal a live DVD from the 1998 Wacken Open Air Festival. The sound and picture quality here are good. It's apparent that Lips was in metal heaven on that stage in front of thousands of screaming metalheads. Wish I could have been there. While the sticker on the front says that this CD/DVD version of "Back to the Basics" is a "special edition" I have yet to see an edition without the live DVD. According to the official Anvil website, the U.S. release will have the DVD too, which is cool since the Massacre version is in PAL format and won't play on most U.S. DVD players. Unfortunately for us Americans this CD was release almost a half a year after it was released in Germany. (As of writing this in June 2004, the U.S. version still isn't out and isn't expected out until August.)

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