Crazy Maple Leaf Rockers, Anvil, may have thought they were destined to remain in the “Where Are They Now” file following their bright but brief moment in the spotlight in the ’80s but the feel good movie, The Story Of Anvil in 2008, rocketed the lovable trio back into the public psyche where they have remained ever since.
It’s hard not to be sucked in by their positivity and even though there are dark themes in some of their songs (“Mothra”, “Winged Assassins”) there is a genuine feel good atmosphere in Trillians right from the moment guitarist/vocalist Lips strides, beaming with joy into the middle of the crowd during “March Of The Crabs”.
Between every song, the rowdy football terrace chant of “Anvil, Anvil, Anvil” left Lips visibly moved at the raucous reaction.
“Badass Rock ‘n’ Roll” has a chorus that just screamed “sing-a-long” and Lips duly directed the crowd accordingly. “Swing Thing” gave the impressive Robb Reiner the chance to shine on this Metallic swing like shuffle showing what a hugely underrated drummer he is.
Not content to rely entirely on past glories “Nabbed In Nebraska” and “I’m Alive” from their recently Legal At Last, their eighteenth album, shows that they have plenty of fuel left in their tank.
Dedicating “Free As The Wind” to Lemmy for being the first to bring Anvil to Newcastle along with tales of hitting the Town with Geordie Rockers Raven back in the ’80s further bonded band and crowd.
The cacophonic riff of “Metal On Metal” along with the dark, menacing “Forged In Fire” showed Anvil at their hardest, heaviest best before the heads down pummel of “Running” left the sweat dripping off the rafters. After 43 years together, Anvil are a Metal institution and show no signs of slowing down for some time to come.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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