ANVIL Announce US Tour, New Album “Pounding Te Pavement” Out Now

ANVIL Announce US Tour
New Album “Pounding The Pavement” Out Now On SPV/Steamhammer

Canadian Metal heroes ANVIL are currently thrashing their way across Europe in support of their new release “Pounding the Pavement”. As soon as the European devastation ends the band will be ready to return to North America and have announced their next North American tour.The tour starts May 2nd in Buffalo, NY and runs through June 16th in Canton, OH. A complete list of dates can be found below. Additional dates will be added soon.

“Hello America pounders…we’re looking forward to the return smashing’s, and Golden Corrals,” says drummer Robb Reiner.

ANVIL released their new album “Pounding The Pavement” January19ththrough SPV/Steamhammer as a digipak version (+1 bonus track and poster), 2LP gatefold colored version, download and stream.

ANVIL North American Tour:
5/2: Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
5/3: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
5/4: Boston, MA @ Middle East
5/5: Portland, ME @ Genos
5/6: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
5/12: Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
5/13: Washington, DC @ The Black Cat
5/18: Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
5/19: Dallas, TX @ Rack Daddy’s
5/20: Austin, TX @ Barracuda
5/24: Portland, OR @ Bossanova
5/26: Seattle, WA @ Highline
5/27: Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s
5/30: Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theater
5/31: Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d
6/1: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/2: Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
6/3: Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy
6/6: Denver, CO @ Streets Of London
6/7: Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
6/8: Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Co.
6/9: Chicago, IL @ Reggies
6/10: Detroit, MI @ El Club
6/14: Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s
6/15: Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana City Brewing Co.
6/16: Canton, OH @ Buzzbin

ANVIL “Pounding The Pavement” European Tour 2018
20.02.GB-Bilston – Robin 2
21.02.GB-York – Fibbers
22.02.GB-Evesham – Iron Road
23.02.GB-Weston – The Bear
24.02.B-Kortrijk – De Kreun
25.02.F-Paris – Le Trabendo
27.02.F-Colmar – Le Grillen
01.03.E-Irun – Sala Tunk
02.03.E-Madrid – MON
03.03.E-Valencia – Paberse Club
04.03.E-Barcelona – Sala Boveda
13.03.CH-Solothurn – Kofmehl
14.03.D-Munich – Backstage
15.03.D-Essen – Turock
16.03.D-Mannheim – 7er Club
17.03.D-Münster – Sputnikhalle
18.03.D-Berlin – Musik & Frieden
20.03.D-Flensburg – Roxy
22.03.SE-Gothenburg – Sticky Fingers
23.03.SE-Finspang – Hugo
24.03.SE-Uppsala – Katalin
25.03.SE-Stockholm – Fryshuset Klubben
28.03.NO-Oslo – Olsen Pa Bryn
29.03.NO-Haugesund – Flytten
30.03.NO-Hamar – Gregers
31.03.NO-Odal – Odal Rock Club
04.04.D-Frankfurt – Nachtleben
05.04.D-Hamburg – Markthalle
06.04.D-Siegburg – Kubana

15-17.04. F/E – Full Metal Cruise VI
25.08.GB-Newark – Stonedeaf Festival
26.-28.07. D-Brande/Höhnerkirchen – Headbangers Open Air

Anvil’s Steve “Lips” Kudlow talks about the album “Anvil is Anvil”

Steve “Lips” Kudlow is the lead singer and guitar player for the band Anvil. After a period of mainstream obscurity the band was thrust back into the spotlight due to the award winning documentary “Anvil! The Story of Anvil”. The group’s 16th and latest studio album “Anvil is Anvil” comes out at the end of February and Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Lips recently about the album’s release.

Adam Lawton: Tell us about the new albums opening track “Daggers and Rum”

Steve Kudlow: I got a call from this guy to be a pirate in a play he was putting together. I thought it sounded like fun so I said sure. He cast me in the role of Captain Snarls and also asked if I could write a song to go along with the play. I ended up becoming super inspired and started writing. I had the music already and was trying to come up with a title. At first I was thinking “Swords and Tequila” (laughs). I knew that wasn’t going to work so I started to think about what I associated with pirates. The first thing I thought was rum, and then I thought about what they used as weapons. That’s sort of how the title came about. I did some more research on pirate music and what are called “shanties” which originated from musical plays. It was sort of mind blowing that I was being asked to make up my own shanty for this play. It was all pretty cool. The song really sounds like it came from a musical play.

AL: Was this one of the first songs you ended up writing for the album?

SK: Yes it actually was. It was the first song I had lyrics for. I had probably written a couple others at the same time and musically this was I think number 3 or 4. In the studio we called all the songs by their numbers and this one was done really early. Despite it being 3rd musically it was the first completed. Interesting enough song 2 as it was known as was actually one of the last ones to be finished.

AL: The album has 12 tracks listed but a 13th track is included as a bonus on some versions. Can you tell us about that?

SK: Truth be told there is no such thing as bonus tracks. We recorded 13 tracks and all 13 tracks are going to be released eventually. Considering 99% of people listen to music free on the internet these days there is really no such thing as bonus tracks because no matter what version of an album you may get it ends up out on the web for everyone. The “bonus” tracks were just additional tracks that needed to be separated for distribution purposes. We did one version of the album for people who pledged money towards its being made which of course is different from the one found in stores. By doing that we also were able to give the fans in Japan that additional pledge track. The Japan version of the album ended up being the pledge version and easily the most obscure.

AL: Do you guys have any special packaging or limited edition versions of the album planned for release?

SK: Most everything is going to be done in digi-packs. We also are going to be releasing the album in a clear double vinyl format which is going to be really cool. What’s great about the vinyl is it will also come with a digital version of the album so fans can put the vinyl away as a collector’s piece.

AL: Being 16 albums in your career as a band how do you go about keeping things fresh and new from album to album?

SK: I don’t think that is something you consciously do. I don’t really think about it in those types of terms. For me it not about wondering how am I going to come up with something but more so how am I NOT going to come up with something. (Laughs) Every time I get to express myself it’s exciting. It’s a hell of a lot of fun to make new songs. You have to make it that way because if it’s not then the end result isn’t probably going to turn out very well. Just have to have fun with and not waste time. Working with Rob (Reiner) he always wants the next part and to be able to keep going so that’s what I mean by not wasting time.

AL: Do you and Rob have the same relationship now as you did when you first started the group in the late 70’s?

SK: Absolutely! Our relationship is actually the most magical aspect of all this. You end up meeting someone and you find out they think the same way as you. I compare it to when people finish each other’s sentences. With Rob and I we finish each other’s riffs. We grew up together and have listened to the same music our entire lives so we have the same mind set on things. We are very in-tune with one another.

AL: How has the addition of Chris Robertson on bass helped the bands dynamics?

SK: Chris has been with band for about 2 years now however this is his first time actually recording with us. We are really blessed to have Chris and things just fell into place with him. At the time when we needed a new bass player we weren’t really out there searching for someone. We had a tour coming up in 3 weeks and we needed someone pretty quick. We had our friend Sal Italiano come on board for the tour and after worked with him and Jon another friend of ours through the “Hope in Hell” album. When it came time to find someone again I asked my friend Jon if he knew any one. He suggested this guy Chris as he was the guy who taught Jon how to play all of our songs. Chris came in and just blew us away. Sal did another tour with us and we had Chris along as part of the road crew. When the tour ended we had a one off show in Germany that we still had to do so I called Sal to confirm everything. While we were talking Sal stated he wasn’t going to be going. There wasn’t much I could say other than ok. Chris joined the band and here we are. Chris has a great sound and style and along with being a killer bass player he is a great back up vocalist. Chris is really great to work with and is honored to be part of Anvil.

AL: What type of tour plans are in place and has there been any more discussions about another Anvil film?

SK: We are currently out on the road in Europe with Udo Dirkschneider. We will be overseas until early April supporting Udo and then after that we will be starting a headlining tour in the U.S. in mid April. That tour is set to run through mid June. As for another film we have about 40 minutes or so of usable footage and it’s something we continue to work on as the band continues to progress.

Anvil Announce Fall US Tour Dates and To Release Monument of Metal: The Very Best of Anvil On September 27th

After a string of successful tour dates this past July, Anvil are back on the road again! Starting mid-October these metal Legends will work their way north across America to the west coast, making several stops throughout California, and returning to the east coast for the start of November.
As always they promise to bring a show that represnts the true rockers they are!

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Monument of Metal : The Very Best of Anvil

Anvil are true defenders of the faith and they’ve never lost sight of their vision to create uncompromising, dyed in the wool heavy metal. They have been on a rock ‘n’ roll journey for the past 30 years and while few bands can make it to the three year mark, Anvil have closed in on three decades of the most uncompromised and ear pleasing metal known to headbangers. The band’s career has developed into a very public rocket ride into the musical and pop culture stratosphere only recently, though.

Ever since the award-winning documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil propelled the Canadian band from their respectable, hard-earned status as a band revered by the likes of Metallica, Motorhead and Guns N’ Roses, and not to mention, Anvil! director Sascha Gervasi, who served as a former roadie for Anvil and was compelled to make a film about this object of his affection, to a heavy metal feel good story that attracted an exponential amount of new fans to a heritage band, Anvil founding members, vocalist/guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner, have made sure that one thing remains constant. And that’s their dedication to their music.

While they continue to craft new, relevant and exciting hard rock music, it’s their history and their catalog that ensures Anvil’s firm and immovable place in the annals of metal history. Their status as legends is inarguable, even though they are still active as ever.

Overall, though, Anvil don’t have their own chapter in the heavy metal encyclopedia; they have their own volume, thanks to a rich, revered cannon that old fans continuously revisit, all the while attracting new fans to their lair with continued quality music. That’s how damn good Anvil are…
…And That’s precisely why The End Records, which also released the band’s fourteenth album Juggernaut of Justice earlier this year, is choosing to celebrate Anvil’s career with Monument of Metal: The Very Best of Anvil, a 19-track career retrospective that will earn “must own” and “must hear” status for fans both fans new and old.

This set collects choice cuts from Anvil’s career and the track listing was hand-selected by the members of Anvil and spans their three-decade career. It is designed to show you why the aforementioned likes of Guns ‘N Roses, Metallica, Motorhead, Anthrax, Slayer and more have praised Anvil as pioneers and way pavers in the heavy metal world. It’s a retrospective spanning the band’s entire iconic career and a comprehensive heavy metal history lesson captured on record.

“This compilation demonstrates the full diversities of the Anvil’s sound and feel, from the classics though the dark years to the current,” said rhythm keeper Reiner about the songs collected in this set. “These tracks are more to do with power and melody rather than just the speed aspect, although there relevant gems included here! We could endlessly compile Anvil tracks, as most are outstanding in their own rights. I feel this Monument of Metal makes a statement introducing Anvil to new pounders along satisfying the faithful.”

Lips concurred, saying, “This compilation is a great diverse collection of Anvil’s history. It’s a good retrospective of 30+ years of the creating and recording of Anvil’s music. These tracks are among some of our favorites.” He did admit that choosing songs was no easy task, since each of Anvil’s songs is a like a kid to him, saying, “Picking them was not easy as generally speaking we love everything we’ve ever done….otherwise we wouldn’t have recorded the music to begin with. This will serve as a great introduction to Anvil as well as make for great listening pleasure for our old diehard fans. Enjoyand stay heavy!!!

Tour dates:

10/19 – Springfield, VA – Jaxx
10/20 – Pittsburgh, PA  – Altar Bar
10/21 – Akron, OH – Ripper Owens Tap House
10/22 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
10/23 – South Bend, IN – Club Landing
10/25 – Denver, CO – Casselman’s Bar
10/27 – San Francisco, CA – Red Devil Lounge
10/28 – Redondo Beach, CA – Brixton South Bay
10/29 – Tempe, AZ – Club red
10/30 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Coach house
10/31 – Las Vegas, NV – Cheyenne Saloon
11/02 – Oklahoma City, OK – Samaurai’s
11/04 – Darien, IL – Q Sports
11/05 – Cleveland, OH- West Side Masonic Temple
11/06 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
11/07 – New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
.

Track Listing:

1. Metal On Metal (Re-Record From This Is Thirteen 2009 / originally from Metal On Metal, 1982)
2. Winged Assassins” (Re-Record, originally From Forged In Fire, 1983)
3. 666 (From This Is Thirteen, 2009)
4. Thumbhang (From This Is Thirteen, 2009)
5. School Love (Re-Record, originally from Hard ‘N’ Heavy, 1981)
6. Heat Sink (From Metal On Metal, 1982)
7. March of the Crabs (instrumental) (From Metal On Metal, 1982)
8.Plenty of Power (From Plenty Of Power, 2001)
9. Mothra (From Metal On Metal, 1982)
10. Sins of the Flesh (From Worth the Weight, 1992)
11. Jackhammer (live) (From Past And Present; Live In Concert, 1989)
12. Juggernaut of Justice (From Juggernaut of Justice, 2011)
13. No One To Follow (From Absolutely No Alternative, 1997)
14. Mad Dog (From Strength of Steel, 1997)
15. Bottom Feeder (From Back to Basics, 2004)
16. Race Against Time (From Still Going Strong, 2002)
17. American Refugee (From This Is Thirteen, 2007)
18. Fire In The Night (From Pound For Pound, 1988)
19. Park That Truck (From Speed of Sound, 1999)

http://www.myspace.com/anvilmetal
http://www.theendrecords.com/artists/anvil

ANVIL “Juggernaut of Justice” CD Review

ANVIL
Juggernaut of Justice
The End Records
Producer: Bob Marlette
Tracks: 12
Run Time: 43 min 35 seconds

Our Score: 4 out of 5

“Juggernaut of Justice” is  Canadian metal band Anvil’s 14th studio album and is the follow up to the bands 2008 release “This is Thirteen” which was documented in the band acclaimed film “Anvil: The Story of Anvil”. “Juggernaut of Justice” was produced by Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Slayer) and recorded at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studios in Los Angeles.

“Juggernaut of Justice” is a much more streamlined and accessible album than the bands previous release.  With most tracks clocking in at around 4 minutes the album is very straight forward and in your face from start to finish. Even with the new streamlined approach the album is classic Anvil all the way. Each member of the band in my opinion is at the top of their game and “Juggernaut of Justice” proves that. Tracks such as “New Orleans Voodoo”, “Fukeneh”, and “Conspiracy” do a great job of blending the classic Anvil sound with Marlette’s clean production style. The real high light of the album which singer and guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow discussed in a recent interview with moviemikes.com is the track “Swing Thing”. This track breaks new ground by combining swing jazz and classic heavy metal.

“Juggernaut of Justice” has something for both new and old school Anvil followers. Even if you aren’t a dedicated Metal Pounder do yourself a favor and pick up this album!

Track Listing:
1.)    Juggernaut of Justice
2.)    When All Hell Breaks Loose
3.)    New Orleans Voodoo
4.)    On Fire
5.)    Fukeneh!
6.)    Turn it Up
7.)    The Ride
8.)    Not Afraid
9.)    Conspiracy
10.)  Running
11.)  Paranormal
12.)  Swing Thing

To read Steve “Lips” Kudlows interview with moviemikes.com go to http://moviemikes.com/2011/01/interview-with-anvils-steve-“lips”-kudlow/