Due to Anvil on site interview Midnite Hellion was not covered.
Friday, May 12 Canadian metal veterans Anvil stormed into Cincinnati, marching around the stage of Legends Bar & Venue bringing over four decades of music, metal and experience to the headbanging fans and brethren. The 20+ date trek started on March 31 in Rhode Island, finishing in Grand Rapids Michigan May 13. Southern Ohio landed the second to tour ending spot giving the Buckeye state the chance to leave a lasting impression before hitting the great lakes. .
Canadian vibrations were definitely felt and heard in Cincinnati from Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson with direct tour support from Midnite Hellion with War Hammer bringing the long standing local support.
War Hammer sporting an impression history rivaling the early Anvil days with formation in the early ‘80s revved up fast ready to unleash a metal feast, with snarling metal beasts including “Curse of the Viper.” Roaring into stage life racing riffs followed with predators pace chasing prey on “Call of the Wild.” They closed metal shop with the pummeling Maiden-like “Destructor.”
Anvil’s set was a three-man showcase of what experienced veterans can do with body language, facials, humor, acting and passion for what they do emblazed on their face. You could tell the trio genuinely enjoyed being there, playing music they loved and lived to create. From Lips singing, playing and telling stories to Robertson’s battlefield-like bass playing with a ear to ear Cheshire grin, playfully chasing Lips and himself on stage with giddy, fun energy. Lips’s story about hanging with Lemmy and the ensuing debauchery and mayhem had fans rolling. Reiner played like the gods guided his sticks. Anvil represents real every day, working class, egoless metal for anyone that wants it. As the evening’s congregation displayed, ‘80s kids/teens showed up as well as those born near and considerably after the decade of decadence and beyond.
It was Metal On Metal from the get go with Lips joining the crowd from the beginning, jamming center pit with “March of the Crabs.” The number of the beast loomed quickly upon as Lips signaled the crowd with a “666.”
Old school continued the love going back to 1981 and the classroom “School Love.” Lips described the joys of indulging the sweet, green leaf in their homeland. Thank god it was “Legal at Last.” The newest Impact got its first show of love on “Take a Lesson.” It was all “Badass Rock n’ Roll” from the start and they wanted everyone to know it. Hammer hit anvil with three blazing cuts Forged in Fire. The war cry opening erupted on “Winged Assassins” soaring “Free as the Wind.” With the emblazoned title track molded solid in time.
“Mothra” spun the tale of air born beasts vibrating the air with a literal demonstration from Lips and a toy not exactly meant for public use, though Jimmy Page used a violin, so why not use batteries and a moving pointer. For anyone that’s ever screamed, yelled and cussed out their GPS, “Bitch in the Box” did what we’ve all wanted to do to that confused f’n computer!
Reiner showed off some chops and sticks on “Swing Thing.” Saving the paranormal pleasure for near last they broke out “Ghost Shadow” in all its spirit box glory. “Metal On Metal” ended the evenings experience with Lips rejoining the crowd, front and mid-center making mental and social media memories for the Cincinnati and Kentucky faithful.
Images by Mike Ritchie
