- A Relentless Heavy Metal Anthem Forged in Fire
Anvil - Strength of Steel is the 10th studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, released in 1987. The album features hard-hitting riffs, catchy choruses, and impressive musicianship, and has become a cult classic among fans of classic heavy metal.
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Album Description:
Anvil - Strength of Steel is the tenth studio album by the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. It was released on May 13, 1987, by Metal Blade Records. The album features ten tracks, all of which were written by the band's founding members, Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner. The album's opening track, "Strength of Steel," sets the tone for the rest of the record with its hard-hitting riffs and driving rhythms. The song's chorus, "We are the strength of steel," serves as a rallying cry for Anvil's dedicated fanbase and showcases the band's commitment to delivering high-energy, fist-pumping heavy metal. "Concrete Jungle" and "Blood on the Ice" continue the album's hard-hitting sound, with Kudlow's searing guitar solos and Reiner's thundering drumming providing a powerful backdrop for the band's lyrics of urban decay and violence. One of the album's standout tracks is "Mad Dog," which features a catchy, sing-along chorus and some of Kudlow's most impressive guitar work. The song's lyrics, which describe a dangerous, unpredictable figure, are brought to life by Kudlow's gritty, bluesy vocals. "Fire in the Night" and "9-2-5" both showcase Anvil's more melodic side, with the former featuring a soaring chorus and the latter highlighting Kudlow's ability to write catchy, radio-friendly hooks. The album's final track, "Winged Assassins," is a frenetic, high-speed romp that serves as a fitting conclusion to the record. Kudlow's lightning-fast guitar work and Reiner's thunderous drumming combine to create an exhilarating sonic experience that leaves listeners wanting more. Anvil - Strength of Steel was produced by Chris Tsangarides, who had previously worked with bands such as Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest. Tsangarides' production gives the album a crisp, polished sound that allows Anvil's raw energy and musicianship to shine through. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, Anvil - Strength of Steel was not a commercial success, and the band would struggle to maintain their popularity throughout the 1990s. However, the album has since become a cult classic among fans of classic heavy metal, and it remains a testament to Anvil's enduring legacy as one of Canada's most beloved and influential metal bands. |
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Album Production Information:
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Music Genre: Canadian Heavy Metal Music |
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Record Label & Catalog-nr: Roadrunner RR 9618 |
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Media Format: 12" Vinyl LP Gramophone |
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Year & Country: 1987 Holland |
Track Listing of: Anvil - Strength of Steel |
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The Song/tracks on "Anvil - Strength of Steel" are
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Album cover photos of : Anvil - Strength of Steel |
| Photo of Front Cover |
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The album cover of Strength of Steel by Anvil is an iconic and powerful heavy metal visual. The dominant feature is a well-built, muscular arm extending upwards, gripping a metal bar that holds two colossal black iron anvils at each end, resembling a barbell. The anvils are chained together with thick, heavy-duty links, emphasizing themes of strength and endurance. The background is a striking gradient of deep red and fiery orange, giving the impression of intense heat or molten steel, which aligns with the album's title and Anvil's signature heavy metal aesthetic. Above the central imagery, the band's name, ANVIL, is displayed in a bold, metallic, and sharp-edged font, reinforcing a sense of power and resilience. At the bottom of the image, the album title, Strength of Steel, is written in a stylized white font with a red outline, appearing almost as if it is forged in molten metal. |
| Photo of Album's Back Cover |
The back cover of Strength of Steel by Anvil features a classic 1980s heavy metal band portrait. The four members of the band stand in a row against a dark background, each displaying their distinctive style and attitude. From left to right: Ian Dickson (Bass) sports a sleeveless red top, black leather pants, and a studded belt, with long, curly blonde hair framing his serious expression. Robb Reiner (Drums) wears a red leather jacket with black details, and his jet-black hair is styled in a signature shaggy cut. Steve "Lips" Kudlow (Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals) stands in the center, smiling confidently. He wears a bold red and black outfit with a harness-like top, fringed shoulders, and fingerless gloves, embracing the over-the-top metal look. Dave Allison (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals) is on the right, with wild blonde hair held back by a yellow bandana labeled "DISTRIBUTION". He wears a red tank top, an open leopard-print jacket, and multiple bracelets, capturing the glam metal aesthetic. Below the band photo, the album's tracklist is written in yellow capital letters, followed by production credits. The text provides details about the recording process, production team, and special thanks to individuals and organizations who contributed to the album. |
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Close-up Photo of Record Label
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This image is a close-up of the vinyl record label for Strength of Steel by Anvil, released under Roadrunner Records. The label has a clean, minimalist design, primarily white with black text, and the bold red 'Roadrunner Records' logo prominently displayed at the top. The label specifies that this is Side A of the record and includes the catalog number RR 9618. It is marked as a stereo recording, meant to be played at 33 RPM. The tracklist for Side A is printed in black, listing six songs with their respective durations:
At the bottom of the label, credits state that all songs were written by Anvil and published by Anvil Songs CAPAC. Copyright information is included, marking the year 1987 and the record’s production under Roadrunner Productions B.V. The vinyl record's center hole is visible in the middle, slightly interrupting the text. Around the outer edge of the label, small red text warns against unauthorized copying, lending, or broadcasting, and notes that the record was Made in Holland. |
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The album's opening track, "Strength of Steel," sets the tone for the rest of the record with its hard-hitting riffs and driving rhythms. The song's chorus, "We are the strength of steel," serves as a rallying cry for Anvil's dedicated fanbase and showcases the band's commitment to delivering high-energy
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