Origin: Toronto, Canada

The roots of Anvil began in 1972 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is when Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. But it wasn't until 1978 that the first lineup that was to become Anvil was formed under the name LIPS. In 1981 they released an independent album called HARD 'N HEAVY. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records, they changed their name to ANVIL and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album.

HARD 'N' HEAVY (1981)
This album doesn't really represent Anvil too well. It's not too heavy but the songs are very catchy. "I Want You Both (With Me)" is one of their catchies songs. Highlights: "School Love", "I Want You Both (With Me)"

METAL ON METAL (1982)
This is first of the 2 albums Anvil is most known for (the other being FORGED IN FIRE). It includes Anvil's most well known song, "Metal On Metal". A terrific metallic anthem, "Metal On Metal" is to Anvil what "Rock And Roll All Night" is to KISS. This is ANVIL at their best. Highlights: "Heat Sink", "Tease Me, Please Me", "666"

FORGED IN FIRE (1983)
Anvil follows their greatest album with their second greatest album. The songs are not as fast this time (except for "Shadow Zone" and "Motormount"), but still heavy. Highlights: "Shadow Zone", "Motormount"

BACKWAXED (1985)
This album contains 5 "best of" tracks from the previous 3 albums and 5 previously unreleased tracks. The unreleased tracks were songs recorded during the recording sessions from the previous albums. Highlights "Backwaxed"

STRENGTH OF STEEL (1987)
Anvil returns with their first studio album since 1983. Highlights: "Mad Dog", "Straight Between The Eyes"

POUND FOR POUND (1988)
An album heavier then STRENGTH OF STEEL Highlights: "Blood On The Ice", "Toe Jam", "Safe Sex"

PAST AND PRESENT - LIVE IN CONCERT (1989)
Anvil conclude their Metal Blade years with a live album. 5 of the 11 tracks are from METAL ON METAL. A very good live album. It was their last album with Metal Blade and their last album with the original line-up. Dave Allison left shortly afterwards. He was the first original member to leave. Highlights: "Motormount", "Jackhammer", "666", "Mothra"

WORTH THE WEIGHT (1991)
And worth the wait it was. Dave was replaced by Sebastian Marino, an American from New York. He seemed to have breathed new life into the band. The lyrics are darker than anything else they have done. The songs are heavy and aggressive. Highlights: "Infanticide", "Bush Pig", "Pow Wow"

PLUGGED IN PERMANENT (1996)
Anvil returned with their first album in over 4 years. In that time original bassist Ian Dickson left and was replaced by Mike Duncan. Sebastian also left and was replaced by Ivan Hurd. This album is the heaviest, most aggressive album Anvil has recorded. This goes to show that just because you get older it does not mean you have to slow down. Mike Duncan left right after the album was recorded. He was replaced by Glenn Gyorffy (Glenn Five). Highlights: "Racial Hostility", "Doctor Kevorkian", "Five Knuckle Shuffle"

ABSOLUTELY NO ALTERNATIVE (1997)
This one sounds a lot like PLUGGED IN PERMANENT, just not quite as heavy. "Show Me Your Tits" is fantastic.....great guitar riff. Anvil maintain their musical integrity with this offering, heavy metal is not dead. Highlights: "Old School", "Show Me Your Tits"

SPEED OF SOUND (1998)
Once again this one is in the same vein as the previous 2 albums but more diverse. There is some experimenting with the vocals in "Park That Truck" and with blast-beats in "No Evil". There are some very catchy riffs here. "Park That Truck" is the best song they have recorded since anything from FORGED IN FIRE. Highlights: "Speed Of Sound", "Secret Agent", "Park That Truck"

ANTHOLOGY OF ANVIL (1999)
A well chosen collection of songs spanning the band's career. If you are new to Anvil this would be an excellent place to start. Highlights: "Speed Of Sound", "666","Motormount", "Doctor Kevorkian"

PLENTY OF POWER (2001)
This album is reminiscent of SPEED OF SOUND just not quite as heavy but much groovier. "Plenty Of Power" and "Dirty Dorothy" are the 'grooviest' with these cool riffs that linger in your head after only one listen. "Real Metal", the heaviest track and sounding much like "Park That Truck", sums up the Anvil philosophy and utilizes the sound clip of a hammer striking an anvil at the end of the track. This same clip was first used at the beginning of "Metal On Metal" 19 years before. They've really decided to tap into Glenn's bass talents on this album. Listen to "Ball Of Fire", "The Creep" and "Pro Wrestling" for some cool bass lines. "Beat The Law" has some wicked drumming by the mighty Robb Reiner. Highlights: "Plenty Of Power", "Real Metal", "Dirty Dorothy"

STILL GOING STRONG (2002)
Anvil continues where PLENTY OF POWER left off with a groovy power metal album. There are no really heavy tracks on this one. If you loved "Plenty Of Power" and "Dirty Dorothy" then you will love this album. "Race Against Time" is the best track. "Holy Wood" has this funky beat unlike anything they have done before. "Still Going Strong" is extremely infectious with a super chorus. "Waiting" and "Defiant" are the heaviest tracks here. Other notables are the drum solo in "White Rhino" and the cool acoustic guitar intro to "What I'm About". Highlights: "Race Against Time", "Still Going Strong", "Waiting"

BACK TO BASICS (2004)
The title best describes this cd as Anvil has certainly tapped into the very foundations of their sound. Each song is a different feel, ranging fast to slow, and also varied in styles. The opening song "Fuel for the Fire", an up tempo chugging song with an early Ozzy flavor, kicks the album off to a grand start, and from there you go on a journey threw what feels fresh and familiar. This cd gives a nostalgic yet new feeling to the music, rock n roll to hard rock, to heavy metal variety pack for the true Anvil fans. This album has some of the catchiest choruses Anvil has ever done. The songs are extremely infectious and after listening repeatedly you can remember a lot of the words to the songs. Highlights: "Fuel for the Fire", "the Chainsaw", "Bottom Feeder"

Written by: Tony Gallo