Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1978. The band currently consists of founding members Steve "Lips" Kudlow (vocals, guitar), Robb Reiner (drums, percussion), and Chris Robertson (bass). As of 2022, the band has released nineteen studio albums, and have been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica.
Reviewers have described Anvil as a pioneering heavy metal band that was popular in the 1980s but then faded into obscurity in the 1990s, while refusing to stop playing, recording, and gigging. Anvil's antics on and off stage, the setbacks they suffered, and their determination to keep going have been compared to the fictional band Spinal Tap.
History
Formation (1973–1981) Anvil began in April 1973 in Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. They met through a friend, guitarist and neighbour Marty Hoffman, but "musical differences" caused his departure after their first show. In 1978, the first full line-up of the band included Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Reiner (drums), Dave "Squirrely" Allison (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Ian "Dix" Dickson (bass). At this point, the band was called Lips.
Success in the 1980s (1981–1989) In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N' Heavy. Shortly after, they were signed by Attic Records and changed their name to Anvil. Their independent album was released by Attic as their debut album for the company. Following its release, British rock musician Lemmy asked Kudlow to play guitar for Motörhead, to replace "Fast" Eddie Clarke, but Kudlow declined.
By 1983, Aerosmith manager David Krebs and assistant Paul O'Neill had signed a managing contract with Anvil and convinced Attic to release the band from its contract, so the band could sign with a major label. However, after initial interest, Krebs eventually stopped returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label recording contract; he released the band in mid-1986.
In 1987 the band was signed with American label Metal Blade Records by William Howell, a fan who would become a DJ with KNAC radio. The band released three records with Metal Blade, starting with Strength of Steel, which was the group's most commercially successful record in the United States, peaking at No. 191 on the Billboard 200.
Obscurity (1990–2006) In 1991, Anvil was signed by Mausoleum Records which, in 1992, released their sixth album Worth the Weight. In 1996, they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records in Germany. Hypnotic and Massacre released the albums, Plugged in Permanent (1996), Absolutely No Alternative (1997), Speed of Sound (1999), Plenty of Power (2001) and Still Going Strong (2002). These albums were not particularly well-received, and Kudlow stated that Anvil would not have continued had it not been for the German fans and the German contract, adding "We'll play gigs sometimes where there's no one there".
In 1995, guitarist Sebastian Marino left the band to join Overkill. He was replaced by Ivan Hurd.
Anvil! The Story of Anvil documentary, and This Is Thirteen (2006–2009) In 2006, the band recorded with Chris Tsangarides, who produced their acclaimed 1982 album Metal on Metal. After failing to find a new label, the album, This Is Thirteen, was self-released in 2007, and was available exclusively from the band's website. Guitarist Ivan Hurd left the band at this point to settle down with his new wife, Anvil's former tour manager Tiziana Arrigoni.
In 2008, the band was the subject of the documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil, directed by the screenwriter and former Anvil roadie Sacha Gervasi. The film garnered critical acclaim from many major publications; Rolling Stone called it "the year's most praised rock doc." At the film's premiere, which took place at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, the band played "Cat Scratch Fever" with Slash and Anthrax's Scott Ian.
The high praise for the movie put Anvil back into the public consciousness, and brought the band opening slots with AC/DC and Saxon, plus appearances at major festivals, including the Download, Hellfest, Bumbershoot and SXSW.
Following the success of the Anvil documentary, VH1 Classic Records re-released This Is Thirteen on CD and vinyl on September 15, 2009, with a newly recorded song, "Thumb Hang", which had been written by the band during the 1980s. The double-vinyl LP contains re-recorded versions of Anvil classics "Metal on Metal" and "666".