antiMusic.com: Anvil is Anvil Review

Anvil is Anvil

by Kevin Wierzbicki

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The members of Canadian hard rock/metal band Anvil will be the first to admit that their sound hasn't changed a great deal over the course of the band's lengthy career. As front man Steve "Lips" Kudlow told the press when Anvil is Anvil came out, "We're sometimes criticized for never changing, but why should we change something we're renowned for?" Kudlow is definitely right; the "If it ain't broke" theory has served bands like AC/DC well and it works for Anvil too. That's not to say that Anvil is Anvil isn't fresh while covering familiar ground. The party gets started with the swashbuckling "Daggers and Rum," and whether ye be a pirate or not, chances are you'll be singing joyfully along to the catchy chorus and reveling to lyrics referencing killing the crew, throwing the captain in the hole and walking the plank. And yes there are a few yo-ho-ho's tucked into the rhythmic number. Lips sounds a bit like Lemmy on the speedy and Motorhead-like "Up Down Sideways;" Lips and Lemmy were friends and the included "It's Your Move" is an homage to the late Motorhead singer. A power trio with Lips on guitar, Robb Reiner on drums and Chris Robertson on bass, Anvil has a full and potent sound that's perfectly-suited for the horror-tinged "Zombie Apocalypse;" Reiner in particular shines on "Fire on the Highway" and "Forgive Don't Forget" where the drums are pushed up front. There will be no complaints from fans about this solid effort and the band needn't worry about a few detractors. Just keep it comin'!