Anvil

Anvil is a seminal Canadian heavy metal band whose historical importance far outweighs their commercial peak. Formed in 1978, they became a critical bridge between the melodic aggression of the NWOBHM and the burgeoning thrash metal scene.

Their early 1980s output, particularly 'Metal on Metal' and 'Forged in Fire,' introduced a level of speed and percussive intensity - specifically Robb Reiner's pioneering use of double-kick drums - that directly influenced the 'Big Four' of thrash. Despite a decline in mainstream visibility during the 1990s, the band became a symbol of artistic resilience, a narrative captured in the acclaimed 2008 documentary 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil.' Critically, they are viewed as 'the band that almost made it,' yet their technical influence on speed metal remains undisputed. Their sound is characterized by a blue-collar aesthetic, straightforward lyrical themes of metal culture and perseverance, and a refusal to deviate from their core heavy metal identity. They occupy a unique cultural space as both a 'musician's band' and the ultimate example of the heavy metal underdog.