LIVE REVIEW: When Anvil Pounded the Pavements of Belfast

A COLD Tuesday night feeling like it was the dead of winter should have ensured the streets of Belfast had only a few stragglers knocking about the place. Not so for the Limelight 2 where the legendary Anvil and the mighty Stormzone were playing.

Even with the early 7pm start and Stromzone on at 7.10pm the place was getting packed out. By the time Anvil took to the stage it was metal on metal with the body count as the place was packed to the rafters.

Stormzone (Harv, Steve, Graham, Dave and Jr)  took to the stage and blew away any cold February blues anyone had firing off on all guns appropriately enough with ‘Where We Belong’.

And, they certainly did belong on that stage. Next was their anthemic ‘Three Kings’ which let the band highlight once more their enthusiasm and metal energy onstage. Then came ‘The Pass Loning’, ‘You're not the same’ and ‘Death Dealer’. Each song delivered with passion and verve with each member of the band animatedly joining in.

The love of their art was plain to see and this spilled over into the audience. The set came to a close with ‘The Legend carries on’, a very fitting song for the band as they had just received the delivery of their latest album ‘Lucifer’s Factory’ which quite a few people picked up at their merch stand.

Each song was a perfect delivery of the band’s heavy rock/metal style of thrumming, chugging riffage tied together by Harv’s fearless vocals into one beautiful stage show.

Then a roar went up as Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson strolled like mighty conquering heroes through the parting mass onto the stage.

Though Lips was feeling very under the weather, he showed his true metal grit as he launched into ‘March of the Crabs’ to a joyous reverberation of the crowd. Everyone knew something special was happening in front of their eyes. Anvil were playing Belfast!

Then on into ‘666’, ‘Ooh Baby’ and the pavement pounding ‘Badass Rock 'n' Roll’. They owned the stage, Lips had a smile that travelled from ear to ear, Chris was rocking the bass and Robb was smashing those drums. The passion and enthusiasm for their music was clear to see, and the crowd were just as passionate.

The adoration and noise from those in attendance would rival any epic victory party.

Throwing themselves into each and every song with unbridled energy they continued to push the crowd into an ecstasy of fervent joy with ‘Doing What I Want’, which should be the theme song for their tenacious dedication to their art.

On it went with ‘Winged Assassins’ with an amazingly crowd pleasing intro from Chris Robertson doing a wonderfully animated Bass solo, with ‘Free as the Wind’ and ‘On Fire’ keeping the pace going.

From their hugely popular documentary ‘Anvil: The story of Anvil’ came the raucous ‘This Is Thirteen’, before heading into Kaiju territory with ‘Mothra’ which incorporated the signature move from Anvil, Lips’ guitar and dildo Solo. Truly a wondrous disturbing sight to behold! And the crowd absolutely loved it.

Each and every time there was a pause, a resounding chant of ‘Anvil. Anvil. Anvil.’ lifted up from the floor like a prayer to the metal gods that there were more songs coming.

Anvil didn’t disappoint. Lips was a fantastic front man chatting and joking in-between with the crowd, which was lapped up with unadulterated reverence.  The crowd, without a doubt, appreciated the band’s presence in Belfast and the way Lips, Robb and Chris were giving it maximum metal.

Up next was ‘Bitch in the Box’, a fantastic metal homily on our modern day frustrations with sat-navs, before turning to the high seas with ‘Daggers and Rum’. Each and every song just brought more and more smiles, roars of appreciation and headbanging from the dedicated multitude that crammed in to see Anvil.

The energy never abated, and with no signs of slacking Anvil continued their onslaught to rock the hell out of the Limelight with ‘Swing Thing’ and an amazing drum solo from Robb Reiner. ‘Ego’ kept the unstoppable metal flowing and then ‘Die For a Lie’ before finishing the main set with their signature tune of ‘Metal on Metal’.

The only disappointment for everyone there was Anvil left the stage as the gig was now over. But wait!! To the chants once more of ‘Anvil. Anvil. Anvil.’ on they came with one more song. And what a fantastic way to finish their visit to Belfast...covering Steppanwolf they utterly rocked ‘Born to be Wild’.

Overall, the whole gig was a very special event, and everyone there knew it.

Stromzone kicked it out of the park as ever with their set bringing their usual infectious energy to the proceedings and truly warming up the crowd.

Anvil put on a spectacular show that transcended the evening, age wise, music wise and fan wise. From those who have been long time aficionados to those just dropping in to see who these guys were, all were one in admiration by even the first few songs.

Many bands would kill for the adulation Anvil got in the Limelight and the place vibrated with the noise of the crowd. The whole atmosphere screamed ‘Metal is Life’ and everything else can melt into insignificance.

It was very apt that this titanic show in Belfast was ‘A night to remember’ for all the right reasons.
Simply put, you need to see Anvil. End of story.

Anvil’s album ‘Pounding the Pavement’ is out now and after you buy that take Lips’ advice and buy the best off before plunging yourself wholeheartedly into the rest of the back catalogue.

Review by Ivor Whitten
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

INTERVIEW: When Anvl played Belfast we sent Ivor along to ask the legends...

THE legendary metal troubadours Anvil played Belfast Ivor to catch up with the Canucks.

With a career spanning decades there was a lot to ask.

Listen below:

ALBUM REVIEW: Anvil prove themselves total legends on Pounding The Pavement

ANVIL are heavy metal legends who have had more than their fair share of bum deals. While many would have given up and gone home after having to deal with less than half of the shit these guys have had to cope with, Anvil only seemed to resolve themselves more to keep going.

And, thank the metal gods they did, otherwise ‘Pounding the Pavement’ may never have been made.

This album is real heavy metal gold kicking off with a weighty driving melodic track ‘Bitch in the Box’ which you will just keep head banging to only to realise half way through that they are singing about how frustrating a satnav is.

It really is one of those rare ‘WTF?’ moments that will just raise a smile out of you before you get back to headbanging. It sets a fantastic tone for the rest of the album and you will just want to listen to it again and again.

Firing off fast and heavy is the next song ‘Ego’ showing Anvil are adept at spreading razor-sharp guitar riffs over the dynamic rhythm foundation, Kudlow adding additional bite with his familiar raw vocal style.

Kudlow tells the world that he will ‘Do what I Want’ as this up tempo hard hitting heavy track sounds like an anthem that will be a fan favourite at any gig. The guitar riffs chug along like a freight train at perfect headbanging speed – and you will really want to.

This is heavy metal at its finest.

Next up is ‘Smash Your Face’ pumps up a slower but no less weighty track that is reminiscent of Black Sabbath. It’s like Anvil are having a wee go at stoner rock but changed it to pure metal. And, boy, is it glorious.

Then comes the title track ‘Pounding The Pavement’. An instrumental of monumental proportions with chunky slamming drums, muscly riffs and rumbling bass. It is beautiful and if Doctor Who ever went metal, this would be the theme tune.  Allons-y!!

Back to normal with ‘Rock That Shit’ where Anvil meets a blues infused rock and roll with their usual fervour. It is a glorious upbeat rock and roll meal reminiscent of hard rock and Chuck Berry.

You will love it. You will smile and rock around the clock, or the house – whichever you find easier.

No.  ‘Let It Go’ is not an Anvil cover of a Disney song (though that would be quite interesting). This track hammers out frustration, Anvil style. Its melodies, riffs and chorus have it marked out as another amazing anthem.

Then Anvil pull of a fantastic epic song with ‘Nanook Of The North’. Kicking off a little like Aerosmith it quickly assures you it is something else entirely. Again it is a solid, fist pumping, foot thumping track that brings you to the far north where the Inuit live. It is a protest song about oil drilling, but one of the best protest songs out there.

This just cries out to be played live as any crowd they play in front of will belt this superb song out with gusto

‘Black Smoke’ is a hard and fast rousing moshing track that screams Motorhead ‘Ace of Spades’ in bucket loads, but supremely Anvil at its core.  If you are tidying your house, you will do it in double time to this.

Next up is definite stoner like ‘World Of Tomorrow’, a tune full of heavy Black Sabbath chugging sound that is pure ‘Sweet Leaf’. Filled with dark depressing and oppressive bass and guitar riffs, it is a fantastic track.

Almost at the end now and they will have you ‘Warming Up’ quite nicely to the whole album and ready to listen over again. This rockets in with fast drum rolls booting up a fast flowing guitar filled rhythm and blues to get your feet moving. Again, a bit of a fast and furious Black Sabbath feel about it.

Lastly is the bonus track, ‘Don´t Tell Me’ a venom filled uncompromising track full of frustration pouring out of Kudlow’s vocals. What a way to finish the album!

Overall they have a real Motorhead crossed with Twisted Sister undercurrent, especially highlighted with Kudlow’s vocals pelting out the songs in such a rough and raw way.

Indeed he sounds like the lovechild of Lemmy and Dee Snider. This is of course intermixed with a Black Sabbath sensation through some of the songs.

Throughout, you can feel the nostalgic cheese thrumming through the rocking tunes as if Spinal Tap and Bad News had combined to make a super duper group. It is a joyous thing indeed.

Now, this is in no way takes anything away from the band and ‘Pounding the Pavement’. Anvil’s sound is unique and unmistakable. They just seem to have thoroughly enjoyed writing and making the album. It certainly comes across that way.

It is an absolute priceless musical diamond . The heavy pounding melodies and crunchy riffs are sublimely metal at its most perfect.

You will love this beauty and may well wear it out, as the different styles of tracks will just keep you entertained throughout the day and night. This is the anti-depressant you have been looking for. No prescription required.

Review by Ivor Whitten

The Album is out on 19th January and Anvil will be touring on the back of its release including a date on 13th February in Belfast

Cornell plays Dublin..same night as Anvil

Chris Cornell - he of Soundgarden, Temple of a Dog, Audioslave is playing the Olympia in Dublin on 14th June. His last solo album was produced by dance 'icon' :) Justin Timberlake...the gig is the same night as Canadian metal pioneers Anvil play The Academy. Anvil, subject of a recent documentary, have earned their stripes the hard way; from stadiums to dingy gigs, and now back again. And no, they've never had a trendy producer. In fact I believe that their dictionary has the page with the definition of trendy ripped out! Pity there's no Belfast date!