Everyone who knows metal knows Anvil, and after their 2009 documentary, quite a few folks who know nothing of metal do too. First time I saw the band after the film came out was when they were supporting the mighty Saxon at Camden’s now ludicrously named Koko (it’s Camden Palace folks, okay?), where quite a few obviously non metal fans were at the gig presumably as a result of that movie. Some left confused and shell shocked, but I hope some managed to catch the metal bug, that same urge that has kept Lips and Robb battling away in the face of adversity to this new, 15th studio album.
So, apart from new member Sal Italiano on bass, a solid live addition at the band’s massively entertaining Bloodstock Open Air 2012 set, has anything changed on ‘Hope in Hell’? Don’t be idiotic; this is Anvil for heaven’s sake, a band who solidly sticks to what they know and what they’re good at regardless of changing trends. Title track and opener ‘Hope in Hell’ starts off with a raw simple sound, devoid of tricks and with just enough production work to make it a track the band should be able to deliver live flawlessly, the same philosophy of hook laden riffs and Reiner’s battering drums building up in ‘Eat Your Words’, a track that could be dedicated to their many detractors over the years. ‘Through With You’ surely shows the band’s influences, the initial guitar riff and drum beat having, shall we say, a respectful nod to ‘Smoke On The Water’. Hell, if you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best; besides, “See You Next Tuesday”, as the song has it, scans nicely to that famous beat.
There are few surprises on this album, something I say in no way as a criticism. Sometimes metal and rock should be just loaded with honest fun and clichés; ‘Flying’ is a case in point, 4 minutes and 51 seconds of hard rock that encapsulates the body clock destroying effects of a world tour as time zones are blasted through. What is surprising is the energy of the band’s core members, Lips and Reiner; both these blokes are fast approaching the age where time should be spent preparing for retirement and exercise should be walking the dog or mowing the lawn. Instead Lips infuses his singing and guitar playing with the enthusiasm of a teenager, whilst Reiner batters the skins like a machine, ‘Bad Ass Rock and Roll’ encapsulating that joie de vivre in a track guaranteed to become a chant along, fist pumping staple of their live set.
Grab yourself the album, and get yourself to an Anvil gig; just remember to be ready to have fun and leave your pretensions at the cloakroom!
(8/10 Spenny)
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