Anvil! The Story of Anvil: A Rockumentary Review
Canadian Metal Band Anvil Comes Alive in New Documentary
Sep 24, 2009
The underground Metal scene in Canada has produced many top-notch acts over the years, including the topic of a newly-released documentary film called 'Anvil!: The Story of Anvil'.
The film depicts the rise, fall, and pending rise again of Toronto-based metal vets Anvil.
The band rose to power in the early 80's after the surge in popularity of British metal groups likeJudas Priestand Iron Maiden. Anvil's groundbreaking 1982 album'Metal on Metal' received lots of critical acclaim, and garnered the group some performance dates with metal heavyweights likeScorpionsandWhitesnake, thus earning international appeal and a cult-like following.
So what happened to Anvil? Why are original membersSteve 'Lips' KudlowandRobb Reiner still toiling away at dead-end jobs just to make ends meet and fund this band? Why is it more than just a hobby for these guys? Most importantly, why don't they just quit? The answers to those questions, and many more, are available just by watching this film, which by the way was made by the band's former teenage roadie, Sacha Gervasi.
Anvil's Influence
The film includes interview footage with rock legends like Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Slash (Guns N Roses), Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Tom Araya (Slayer) and many others singing the praises of Anvil and the group's influence. Early on in the film, the sentiment is shared that many groups borrowed, or rather stole Anvil's tactics without giving credit where credit was due. From wearing bondage gear onstage to using sex toys as stage props, Anvil indeed paved the way for many of the risque' acts who went on to bigger fame and stardom.
This Is 13
The band has just released its 13th album titled 'This is 13', which saw the group back with producerChris Tsangarides, who worked with Anvil in the 80's, and whose client list includes the likes ofOzzy Osbourne,Thin Lizzyand Judas PriestIn the film, Anvil travels to Tsangarides' studio in England to record the album amid fits of infighting, and the eventual firing, quitting and re-hiring or drummer Rob Reiner. No, this is not a spoof of This Is Spinal Tap. The studio misadventures are just one example of how everything seems to go wrong for Anvil.
Since the release of 'Anvil: The Story of Anvil', the film and band have received a pleasant resurgence of popularity. The band was chosen to open for rock & roll legends AC/DC recently in Canada, proving they can still keep up with the big boys, and have earned their place in rock history.
This film is a heartwarming story of the artist's perseverance through hard times, and even harder times. This is a feel-good story with lots of goofy humor along the way. If this doesn't bring Anvil to the level of stardo many feel they deserve, then nothing will.
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