Anvil - Pounding the Pavement Review

Anvil - Pounding the Pavement (2018)

Current Members:

Steve "Lips" Kudlow – lead vocals, guitars (1978–present)

Robb "Robbo" Reiner – drums (1978–present)

Chris Robertson – bass, backing vocals (2014–present)

Pounding the Pavement is the seventeenth studio album by this severely underrated Canadian heavy metal band. It was released on January 19, 2018, through Steamhammer.

First Impressions:

Classic Anvil from top to bottom.

Now I will admit this review will be a bit biased since I have been a fan since the album "Strength of Steel". Now I have always said this is a band that has been forced to exist under the radar by most legitimate metal and hard rock media, only acknowledged when there was no other choice but to. This band has had a steady stream of progressively better albums over the years, now I understand the criticism these guys get about their often cringe worthy lyrics but anyone who sees just that misses the whole point of Anvil as a band. This band isn't about serious political statements and social policy dick waving, this is a band all about good riffs, solid rhythms, and having fun...if the lyrics get a bit serious, it's done in a fun way that doesn't diminish the song as a whole. It's music only Anvil can make and only people that really get it can truly enjoy as a whole. The other thing this band has had is a lot of members over the years, but at it's core has always been Lips and Robbo pushing this machine along through every obstacle and circumstance, as was shown by their documentary film "Anvil: The Story of Anvil". Well enough of the banter let's dig into this album track by track and see where it goes.

1."Bitch in the Box"4:29

The album opens with this ode to shitty gps directions. A solid riff carries this great track, a riff that really makes your energy rise and the backing vocals by newer bassist chris robertson really complement the already great pipes of lips. Robbo sustains a tight rhythm that holds this whole thing solid as steel. The humor is not overdone but it provides a familiar feeling we all have experienced.

2."Ego"2:57

Another great and quicker riff than the last track. A track that comments on those who's self love is bigger than their maturity level. More solid guitar work by lips, the bass lines are tight and flow well robbo's tight and very accurate drumming. Great song all around.

3."Doing What I Want"3:17

The ubiquitous vibrator use starts this one, then another classic Anvil style metal riff takes off. A song about not compromising yourself, the music in its own way conveys that with out the lyrics...the lyrics just bring it home. Excellent musicianship on this on makes it an energetic and empowering joy to listen to.

4."Smash Your Face"4:20

A mastodonic plodding riff starts this one and starts the over all steamhammer feel of this song. This song would be at home on a Manowar album in a lot of ways, simple powerful guitar and drums and the wandering bass lines just give it a war song kinda vibe, a backing track for an army of sweaty vikings...or old school headbangers.

5."Pounding the Pavement"3:05

This one is very much a throwback track to earlier anvil. An instrumental with a lot of heart and flow and not a lot of guitar wankery that fills a lot of instrumental tracks these days. It's simple and tasty, it doesn't feel busy at all, and I like it a lot for that.

6."Rock That Shit"3:21

Anyone for heavy metal Chuck Berry? This is such a great traditional riff filled track...plus it mentions going to the hop so we get to travel to the 50's too. This is just a fun song with fun lyrics, an Anvil hallmark from way back in the day. The lyrics may be a bit trite but they work for the type of song it is and it loses no points for that at all. I love this track for its fun and simple feel.

7."Let It Go"3:00

A riff that could have been from the late 80's flows through this one. However if this album has a filler, this is it. Now that's not a bad thing, most Anvil filler is still better than a lot of other bands singles. This one just falls a bit flat in comparison to the rest of the tracks on this album. Not bad, just not the best.

8."Nanook of the North"5:57

This is just what the metal world needed, a song about eskimos. Now this is another fun track with a great feel and very well thought out and executed even better. More solid Anvil fun with great musicianship and an interesting story placed through the lyrics. I really like the vibe on this one, and the guitar solo lips gives you on this one is very fitting and one of his best. A very fitting track for this album.

9."Black Smoke"3:26

Another classic Anvil style song, speedy riff and tight drumming intact. This one has that "Smokin Green" kinda feel, definitely not a bad thing at all. This is what Anvil is classically known for, they were an early practitioner of the speed metal style after all. I like hearing this type of track from them...they are always so tight musically and that makes me happy.

10."World of Tomorrow"4:37

I'm getting a Black Sabbath vibe from this one, this is a droning doomy riff song. Hard to put into words how I feel about this one, it's a great take on that type of genre and in so many ways it does it better than bands like Cathedral and Electric Wizard...in fact it is on par with Master of Reality era Sabbath. It's a great song that is executed with style and dignity.

11."Warming Up"3:03

Well this is definitely a swinging tune for sure. A showcase to Robbo and his Swing Jazz drumming style, feels like a continuation musically of Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher"....I found myself snapping along with this one. Just pure fun all over again from this band...I just love it.

12."Don't Tell Me" (bonus track)3:51

Another pure Anvil style track, the stuff they do so well as it is. I can't say anything about this one that I haven't said about all the previous tracks on this great album. It's tight, solid, and a great listen all around. Not much can be said. It's Anvil being Anvil and that is always a good thing.

Conclusion:

This is but the latest in a string of progressively better albums this band has been churning out since the beginning. I can't say it anymore clearly than that...this is what Anvil is and what they always have been. Great musicianship, varied styles, fun songs all around. Pounding the Pavement is simply the pinnacle of this band until their next album releases, and when this band does call it a career It's safe to say that they will exit on top...I just hope it's not any time soon.

Score: 5/5

Gloryhammer - Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex Review

Gloryhammer - Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex (2019)

Members:

Christopher Bowes (Zargothrax) – keyboards, backing vocals (2010–current)

Paul Templing (Ser Proletius) – guitars, backing vocals (2010–current)

Ben Turk (Ralathor) – drums (2010–current)

James Cartwright (Hootsman) – bass, backing vocals (2010–current)

Thomas Winkler (Angus McFife XIII) – lead vocals (2011–current)

Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex is the third studio album by Anglo-Swiss symphonic power metal band Gloryhammer. It was released on 31 May 2019.

First impression:

A nice trip through a fantastic yet quirky world.

Going into this album I will have to admit one big thing, I wasn't very familiar with this band and their lore so this album kinda lost me early on, but it didn't take long to catch up on what was going on here. As this is the 3rd album from this project I did find myself kinda curious about their previous releases and I do plan on checking them out in the near future.  Now then, this is a prime example of the European style power metal genre, grandiose and larger than life with all the typical tropes associated with it. The orchestrations, the sword and sorcery subjects, soaring vocals, and guitar wankery are all here...with a Sci-Fi twist thrown in for good measure. Now let's dig into this album and see where it takes us.

Tracks:

1."Into the Terrorvortex of Kor-Virliath"1:18

An intro track with a bit of narration, choral work, and symphonic elements that sound like something cut from a star wars movie...this leads into....

2."The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)"4:46

A by the number power metal song that doesn't take many chances but has a great chorus that worms itself into your brain so much that you will start asking what is this hoots thing. More narration by the mythos bad guy happens and more choral work mid way through the track. In ways this sets up a power metal play that you are invited to create in your own head. Not a bad tune, but nothing extraordinary either.

3."Masters of the Galaxy"4:25

Ahh, a galloping guitar riff....shades of Maiden. Another song with an earworm chorus that you will find yourself humming when you least expect it. This one has a mid era Kamelot meets Sabaton feel to it, that isn't a bad thing to be sure. The ever present narration shows up here too, but it serves it's intended purpose and isn't distracting at all. All in all this is a good tune that I have no serious complaints about.

4."The Land of Unicorns"4:25

What can I say about this one except, horns and another mind corrupting chorus. The horns on this thing are front and center through the whole song adding a grandeur to the track that I guess unicorns deserve. All in all it's not a bad track, it's just a typical power metal song with a ever present horn section. This is not bad, but it isn't anything earth-shattering either.

5."Power of the Laser Dragon Fire"5:06

A track that feels like the child of Rhapsody Ov Fire and Dragonforce, not much else that can be said here. It's an OK power metal song with yet another memorable chorus, and a larger than life feel, and more narration as well. Even the guitar solos are paint by numbers here, they are serviceable but are lacking in comparison to others on this album.

6."Legendary Enchanted Jetpack"4:18

More horns plus a galloping guitar riff on a song about flying through a kingdom on a jetpack, yep hoots and goblins make an appearance as well, the solos serve this tune, but the overall story point here is so over the top it actually kinda pulls you out of the story as a whole. This is probably my least favorite on this one.

7."Gloryhammer"5:00

Now this is what I am talking about. This song just sweats power and epic ness, although the line about a "laser powered goblin smasher" made me chuckle in how cheesy that is. This is what power metal is about and I really enjoy this one for it's power and anthemic feel. The song feels like they put a ton of work in it and it just makes you want to throw a fist in the air while it's on. Goblin smasher aside.

8."Hootsforce"3:50

A folksy sounding song, but a song with a great momentum and yet another earworm for a chorus. This is another stand-out track for me and I can listen to it in a loop if I had to and I would not get tired of it. It's a playful song with a great sense about it. But I really have to look into their lore a bit, this hoots thing is confounding me.

9."Battle for Eternity"3:52

The typical mid-range conservative power metal song that exists on every bands album in this genre. A inquisitive track that asks a bunch of "have you..." questions. The solos on this track are a mixed bag but they serve the song and the over all feeling the album is trying to convey. These tracks are usually the filler in any power metal album, and this one is no different.

10."The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny"

I. "Dundaxian Overture"

II. "The Battle of Cowdenbeath"

III. "Return of the Astral Demigod of Unst"

IV. "The Knife of Evil"

V. "Transmission"

12:30

The epic multi-part song, only real problem here, the parts are really not very distinct in this one. Unlike say Manowar's "Achilles" song which made all 8 parts sound distinct yet cohesive, this one doesn't do that really, it's all just variations on a riff and it flows as if it is just one song with a couple narrative interludes. Honestly, this one is not as well developed as it could be, it really falls flat to me and even though there are good elements in it, they are not emphasised like they could have been.

Conclusion:

This isn't a bad album by any stretch, however it's nothing exceedingly special either. It does what it does and not much more, which given the subject matter and the lore they have to build on is a bit of a crime. This could have been a much bigger album contextually and musically if it took more chances, given the talent these guys to exhibit there is no reason they couldn't have. This is a play it safe type of album and it really shows in the long run. I'm curious about their previous releases and I intend to check them out, I just hope I'm not even more let down by this one when I compare them. Anyway, this is as I stated is an average power metal album that took very few chances to go beyond the typical formula. Not a bad album, but not great either. If you like this genre then you will probably get into this one, if you don't like it then this won't change your mind.

Score: 3.5/5