Anvil

Anvil. Heavy metal band, formed in 1978 in Toronto and consisting of guitarist-vocalist Steve “Lips” Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner and bassist Sal Italiano. They independently released the album Hard ‘n’ Heavy in early 1981. Canadian independent record label Attic Records signed the band and re-released the album under the moniker Anvil. The release of Metal on Metal (1982) and Forged in Fire (1983), both produced by Chris Tsangarides, cemented the band’s position in the growing speed metal and thrash genres.

After performing in supporting roles for bands such as Iron Maiden and Girlschool during their Canadian tours, Anvil embarked on a world tour in 1982 that included a performance at the Monsters of Rock festival in the UK. The following year, the band continued to find worldwide success as it toured in Europe and Japan, including the UK Reading Festival headlined by Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy, and opening on tour for Motorhead. Anvil returned to Japan in 1984 for the Super Rock Festival where it shared the stage with Bon Jovi, the Michael Schenker Group, the Scorpions, and Whitesnake.

While the group was known originally for its sex-driven, shock-rock lyrics and unorthodox stage dress, Metal on Metal became recognized as a major musical influence on the “big four” thrash bands that would emerge in the coming years: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Reiner, a jazz-trained drummer, was among the earliest metal drummers to heavily incorporate the double-bass drumming technique.

Though the band had always maintained a dedicated following with its rigorous commitment to touring, Anvil saw renewed fame in 2008 with the release of a highly-regarded documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil. The film focused on the lives of the band members as they organized their biggest European tour since the 1980s and on their attempts to self-finance, record, and market their next album to record labels.