Anvil’s Steve Kudlow has taken the opportunity to write and opine about the world we live in today, on other occasions, it’s all about the ‘heavy metal’ we all know and love, and some humorous takes along the way.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Anvil
ALBUM: Anvil Is Anvil
LABEL: Steamhammer/SPV
SERIAL: SPV 269682 CD
YEAR: 2016
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow – vocals, guitar * Robb ‘Robbo’ Reiner – drums * Chris Robertson – bass
TRACK LISTING:01 Daggers And Rum * 02 Up, Down, Sideways * 03 Gun Control * 04 Die For A Lie * 05 Runaway Train * 06 Zombie Apocalypse * 07 It’s Your Move * 08 Ambushed * 09 Fire On The Highway *10 Run Like Hell * 11 Forgive Don’t Forget * 12 Never Going To Stop * 13 You Don’t Know What It’s Like
RATING: 85/100
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Background
The Anvil story continues well into 2016, with the release of their latest ‘Anvil Is Anvil’. We’ve tried to keep pace with these Canadian metal legends, as they ride off into the sunset. They are still playing gigs to thousands, and in some cases less than twenty, but still, the enthusiasm is there, and wherever there is an eager crowd no matter how few, these metal kegends will be there.
‘AIA’ was produced by U.D.O. drummer Martin Pfeiffer, and features new bassist Chris Robertson. Steve Kudlow has taken the opportunity to write and opine about the world we live in today. On other occasions, it’s all about the ‘heavy metal’ we all know and love, and some humorous takes along the way.
The Songs
Like the pirate themed opener ‘Daggers And Rum’. Twenty five years ago, this could’ve been Running Wild doing ‘Port Royal’, with a whole bunch of scabbards, blunderbusses and rapiers thrown in for good measure. Pretty hilarious, but solid state metal it is, no doubt.
‘Gun Control’ is a pinpoint assessment of the current gun law situation in America, which a bloke like Ted Nugent would wholeheatedly disagree with. Still many believe that some form of gun control is required.
And how about ‘Zombie Apocalypse’? This one is all about a future thanks to nuclear decimation. Not exactly a positive message, but hey, this is our past and present meeting up – Anvil style.
Robb Reiner has always been an impressive drummer, and he sets the metronome ticking on ‘Die For A Lie’, which sounds like a song aimed at ISIS! Gotta love the chugging metal of ‘Runaway Train’ which is back to a less serious Anvil.
So too ‘It’s Your Move’, which is a song about options and choices. ‘Fire On The Highway’ is one of the heaviest tracks here, total devastation from a three-piece, but lyrically sounds like an episode from the TV show Ice Road Truckers! The remaining tracks are all typical Anvil fare, less gonzo than in the past, but always worthy of a test drive.
In Summary
One thing that stands out for Anvil in 2016. The production of their songs is very good. Obviously they’ve had years of experience to get it right though some of those early albums might be a bit dodgy in the production stakes.
However there’s no discounting the energy. Kudlow and Reiner have been in this game for years, so they know a thing or two about heavy metal and perservering under all conditions.
Anvil on Video
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