Anvil

Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow (vocals, guitar), Robb Reiner (drums) and Chris Robertson (bass). To date, the band has released fifteen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica.[2]
The band, in particular Kudlow and Reiner, was the subject of the 2008 documentary film, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, directed by the screenwriter and former Anvil roadie, Sacha Gervasi. Upon its release, the film garnered critical acclaim from many major publications, and has since brought the band renewed recognition, including opening slots with AC/DC and Saxon. Appearances at both major heavy metal festivals, including Download, Loud Park and Hellfest, and independent music festivals like Bumbershoot and SXSW, also followed the release of the film. Reviewers described Anvil as a pioneering hair metal band that was popular in the 1980s but then faded into obscurity in the 1990s, while refusing to stop playing, recording and gigging.[3] Anvil's antics on and off stage, the setbacks they suffered, and their determination to keep going was compared to the fictional band Spinal Tap.[3][4][5][6][7]
The band's history has been documented in the documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil released in 2008.[19] The film has received high praise[20] which has put Anvil back into the public consciousness,[21] propelling them to play several festivals including the Download Festival in 2009 at which they headlined the Tuborg stage.[22] Rolling Stone called the movie "the year’s most praised rock doc."[23] The band played Ted Nugent's “Cat Scratch Fever” with Slash of Guns N Roses and Anthrax’s Scott Ian at the Sundance Film Festival, where the movie premiered.[24]
They have been featured in film, on television, and in gaming. Toured with Alice Cooper and Saxon. Member Sal Italiano had previously been in an Iron Maiden tribute band.
== Genres ==
Speed Metal
Category:Speed Metal
Category:Eighties
Category:Hard Rock