Search - Anvil :: Forged in Fire

KISS MEETS METALLICA

Kevin Dobbs "dragonboots" | Perth Western Australia | 05/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This bunch of Canadians never get the recognition that should be afforded to them for being a founder of the speed metal/thrash metal genre. This CD was an important step in the process...The year was 1983 and this kind of stuff was really gaining popularity through the emergence of Venom, Slayer, and probably most importantly Metallica. But for a little while Anvil were also the toast of the town standing at the crossroads. So what were they, and more importantly, what was/is this CD all about. Well picture this, saucy nudge nudge wink wink songs, flat out speed trips, and a bit of sword and sorcery thrown in. Infact in hindsight every heavy metal cliche there is...FABULOUS! In essence this disc comes across as kind of Kiss meets Metallica, with a nod towards Dio and his dragons. Kiss style would be "Buster Bust Jerky" mmm so subtle, "Hard Times- Fast Ladies" mmm even more so, and "Never Deceive Me" being a heart string pulling ditty. Metallica with "Shadowzone", "Motormount" and "Winged Assassins", all example of early classic speed metal, and finally the sword and sorcery stuff being the fantastic "Future Wars" (best song hands down), and the atmospheric masterpiece being the title track itself. Probably didn't go into the big league because of the saucy stuff, being that metal fans at the time wanted something a little more serious in lyrical content, or at least darker in content, after being punished by listening to years of Whitesnake type trouser snake songs. Hence Metallica hit the nail on the head doing the right thing at the right time. This one is a worthy addition to any power metal collection only because for me it covers all the cliches in one compact disc. Thanks Lips also for the fantastic vibrator guitar solo when I saw you support Motorhead in Newcastle UK way back when. I was 16 and very impressed...These guys were described back then as 'What Heavy Metal Dreams are Made of." I concur... nuff said?"

Blast from the past.

Charles | Allentown, Pennsylvania United States | 04/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Without a doubt, one of my favorite Anvil albums. This album is every bit as good as Metal On Metal, even if it is a little more polished. The album as a whole flows very nicely and saves the coolest song for the end (Winged Assassins). I recommend these guys to anybody who enjoys San Fransisco thrash of the early 80s. Not quite the same flavor as Metallica, Megadeth or Death Angel. But hey, they're from Canada where everything seems just a little bit nicer."

Vintage maple leaf metal

thomas f carter jr | hilton, new york United States | 03/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when this lp first came out in the summer of 1983 i picked it up being a fan of their first two releases hard and heavy and metal on metal i was floored with forged in fire.their best release with out a doubt.motormount,future wars,the classic free as the wind and the heavy title track.i played the lp some much that summer i had to pick up another copy. when it came out on cd i shelled out the money for the import but well worht it must have for any metal head."