Review & Photography by Paul Verner for MPM
It’s been a couple of years since Anvil last visited our city. This time the Canadian 3 piece are playing in Belfast’s Limelight 2.
This is date 6 on an extensive 45 date UK & European tour in support of their recent 2024 album release, One And Only.
Supporting tonight, Northern Ireland own Rule of Six. Six by name, and 6 by number of band members, quite a challenge fitting all of them on what little space they had at the front of the Limelight 2’s stage. Consisting of no less than 4 guitarists, a bass player and a drummer.
My first time catching them and they definitely have some solid songs. Highlights included Bound By Blood and Shadowchaser, and when 4 guitars wasn’t enough they brought out ‘Sixy’ a twin neck 6 + 6 string beast which the two main guitarists played simultaneously on the various solos of the final song in their short set.
Anvil were already on stage and ready to go as the short intro played, but as it was finishing, singer and guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow Lips made his way into the crowd and they played their own ad-lib opening tune.
At the end of which, he used the pick-up in his guitar as a microphone to declare ‘We are Anvil, and we play Heavy fucking metal! That set the tone for the whole head banging evening!
Catching Anvil live, you really get a sense of an unrelenting heavy metal spirit. Despite the ups and downs of their long career, this Canadian band, consisting of the afore mentioned “Lips” Kudlow (vocals/guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), and Chris Robertson (bass, backing vocals) delivered a performance that was raw, energetic, and filled with a passion for the genre of music they helped shape.
One of the first things that strikes you at an Anvil show is the authenticity. There’s no pretence. Lips’ personality shines through in every moment, from his quirky banter with the audience to his fiery guitar solos. He often played directly to the crowd, making a point to engage, whether it was cracking jokes or as he did at the beginning of the set by walking into the audience while shredding his guitar. That accessibility made the show almost feel like an old western barroom brawl.
Reiner is a powerhouse behind the kit, delivering thunderous drumming with precision, and his signature double-kick work still impressed especially in the intro & drum solo of Swing Thing. Lips’ riffs have a classic heavy metal crunch, balanced by melodic elements, and the live setting added an extra layer of rawness to their sound. Songs like Metal on Metal and Mothra packed a punch, with the crowd chanting along, fuelled by the band’s energy.
The setlist spanned right across their career, with songs pulling from early albums like Hard ‘n’ Heavy to tunes off the new album One and Only.
There was also a sense of underdog triumph; the fans knew all about the the band’s story — the struggles, the near-misses with fame, and the revival through the documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil. This backstory added an emotional depth to the live experience, especially as they dedicated to Jackhammer to their recently deceased guitarist Dave ‘Squirelly’ Allison. You could feel the band’s gratitude for the fans who’ve stuck with them as well as the younger generation of fans who were also in attendance.
An Anvil concert is less about perfection and more about passion. It’s a raucous, down-to-earth metal show with a band that, despite everything, has never lost its fire. You leave the venue with ears ringing, adrenaline pumping, and a deeper appreciation for the band’s relentless spirit.
Anvil’s tour continues with a string of dates across the UK. Please check out their socials for further details.