Search - Anvil :: Plenty of Power

Hypnotic or Massacre

eveoflove | North York, Ontario Canada | 06/06/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Made in CAN in 2001, Serial# HYP-1079, Playing Time 46:36 or Made in GER in 2000, Serial# MASCD-0256, Playing Time 45:46I have 2 versions of this album, the 13th album by Canadian band ANVIL; the first 10 tracks are the same, but track 11 differs, and is credited on each release as a "bonus track", not to be confused as an "extra track". The North-American release features "Left Behind", while the German pressing includes "Dirty Dorothy" instead. Perhaps the japanese pressing (famous for their EXTRA track) will include both; I couldn't find a copy (yet!).Compared to their last studio album "Speed Of Sound", "Plenty Of Power" is a bit more subdued: the pace is not as exhilirating, the arrangements somewhat more refined. But it's still pretty basic metal, with no challenging performances.A lot of the material will sound familiar to the people that have some of their previous albums: nothing really fresh or inspired, but nevertheless good, in-your-face power, without delving into the sludgy/grungy sounds that so many metal bands have explored since the 90s. The engineering/production job provides a crisp and full sound texture.The themes are diverse, with titles such as "The Creep", "Pro Wrestling", "Real Metal", and of course, the title track.Not the type of album that will leave you breathless, but an interesting if un-original effort."