Anvil – re-release of the band’s live album out in September!

For some – a living legend of heavy metal, for others – a long forgotten relic of the past. Either way, there’s no doubt that Anvil left a visible mark in the history of heavy music. Their legacy reaches all the way back to the 80’s, when the group celebrated their biggest triumphs. Although Anvil’s popularity eventually expired, the band remained true to their passion and against all the odds, kept recording new material for years to come. In January 2008 director and huge Anvil fan, Sacha Gervasi (known also as the writer of the blockbuster film “The Terminal”) released his documentary about the band, called “Anvil! The Story of Anvil”. Filmed between 2005 and 2007, it showcased with brutal honesty Anvil’s decline from greatness to obscurity. The documentary proved to be a big hit, winning thousands of hearts worldwide and getting raving reviews in the press. The Times called it “possibly the greatest film yet made about rock and roll”. The movie brought Anvil back on the metal radar – in 2009 the band performed on the Download Festival and supported AC/DC on three shows during their “Black Ice” world tour.

This exclusive re-release brings back a truly exceptional live album. “Past and Present – Live in Concert” covers Anvil’s most successful period and delivers some of their most memorable hits and is the perfect way to get to know one of the most remarkable and die-hard bands in the history of heavy metal! Metal Mind Productions will re-issue this album on 21st September (worldwide except for USA, Canada, South & Central America).

Anvil
“Past & Presence Live” (remastered)

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1322 DG
Barcode: 5907785035409
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 2000 numbered copies)
Genre: heavy metal
Release date: 21.09.2009 (World ex. US, CA, South & Central America)

Tracklist:

1. Concrete Jungle
2. Toe Jam
3. Motormount
4. Forged In Fire
5. Blood On The Ice
6. March Of The Crabs
7. Jackammer
8. Metal On Metal
9. Winged Assassins
10. 666
11. Mothra

Bio
The story of Anvil began in 1972 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when drummer Robb Reiner and guitarist/vocalist Steve “Lips” Kudlow started jamming together. In 1978 the first line-up of Anvil (at that time – under the moniker LIPS) emerged, with additional musicians Dave Allison (guitar, backing vocals) and Ian Dickson (bass). In 1981 the collective recorded their first independent album, called “Hard ‘N Heavy”. Soon after that they got noticed by Attic Records and changed their name from Lips to Anvil. “Hard ‘N Heavy” was re-released through the band’s new label, instantly becoming a very successful debut. In the following years Anvil recorded three more albums for Attic Records – “Metal On Metal” (1982), “Forged In Fire” (1983) and “Backwaxed” (1985). All of them are still considered some of the group’s best works. In 1987 Anvil moved to Metal Blade Records, where they released two more successful LPs – “Strength of Steel” (1987) and “Pound For Pound” (1988). With the beginning of the 90’s, Anvil’s popularity drastically decreased and the band faced personnel and artistic problems. Nevertheless, up until now Anvil managed to record eight more albums, the most recent being the self-released “This is Thirteen” (2007).
“Past and Present – Live in Concert” was originally released in 1989 by Metal Blade Records. The album saw the band closing a very important chapter, a chapter which brought some of Anvil’s best songs. The LP’s content covered both the Attic and Metal Blade years. The opening track – “Concrete Jungle” – welcomed the listener with an intensity that would last throughout the whole concert. The performance, recorded at The Waters Club in Long Beach, California, showcased the band in top form – all their classic tunes were played with amazing energy and feeling. The band presented five tracks from their second opus – “Metal on Metal” (“March of the Crabs”, Jackhammer”, “Metal on Metal”, “666” and “Mothra”), three tracks from “Forged in Fire” (“Motormount”, “Winged Assassins” and “Forged in Fire”), one track from “Strength of Steel” (“Concrete Jungle”) and finally, two tracks from “Pound For Pound” (“Blood on the Ice”, “Toe Jam”). This was the ultimate Anvil collection at that time, covering the band’s best and most representative material.
With the release of the hit documentary, Anvil became not only a symbol of dedication to metal music, but also a symbol of undying passion. “Past and Present – Live in Concert” is the perfect way to get to know one of the most remarkable and die-hard bands in the history of heavy metal!