Customer Reviews

Forged in Fire

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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?

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.

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.

I've been hearing so much about Anvil that I checked them out on YouTube. Though they sounded okay, they didn't blow me away. However, I ran across this vinyl album in Las Vegas in 2009 and picked it up. Since burning it to CD and playing it several times, I've come to like it.

The first time I listened to it, I began to understand why they never made it. There was just something missing that I couldn't put my finger on. The musicianship was excellent and the vocals fine, but the songs themselves, or the way they were constructed, just seemed off a bit. However, after several listens, I got into it and like it more. That being said, I can see where a lot of people would have been unimpressed with them (though apparently other musicians seemed to be).

They remind me a bit of Razor and a few other Canadian thrash bands.

Though this album is far from perfect, it is still good and one I'll keep listening to. I wish them the best on the resurgence of their popularity since the movie came out. Recommended.

No question, this *is* Anvil's best (among many solid metal albums). There *might* be a couple less than stellar cuts on this album, but pound for pound this is, at least in my eyes, one of the top ten 80s metal albums. Yes, it rates as high as Priest, Sabbath and Maiden in their respective 80s primes.
It's hard, fast, loud, and in your friggin' face. And to this day (2003) it still makes me not only smile to hear it but it takes me back to heady days of the early 80s when damn near every metal release broke my neck.
Make this your first foray into Anvil metal and I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you like it try 'Metal On Metal' as your second.

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.

Not quite as good and fast as Metal on Metal, but enjoyable from its very beggining.
This albums remains a classic of all time, and gives lessons to all the metal kids that are amazed with Lamb of God and all the new metal crap.

Lets face it, I lived Butter Bust Jerky for a while with a little strumpet in my home town.

Aaaah yes, I remember it well.

And the other girl, Mrs. Freeze......

I have yet to hear a bad Anvil album. This one is from "back in the day" being the release after their classic Metal On Metal. Glad this one is still affordable as a reissue, because most of the Anvil CDs are out of print and expensive. If you like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden type metal I highly recommend Anvil.

I was turned on to this cd back when I was in the U.S. Army in Germany in mid-late '80s. Thank you Greg Davis from California.
First off, in my opinion the title track that kicks this album off is almost worth the price of admission right there! I love that song! And it is great fun to play on my Strat-Plus into my Marshall. Heavy, Heavy, slow track. Plus "Never Deceive Me". Wow. Great drumming and thick, crunchy distorted guitars. Very proficient guitar playing, a little closer to Mick Mars than Steve Vai, But that's good, because Mick rocks!
The rest of the tracks are pretty good, too. 1 or 2 that may be considered filler by some, but all in all a great metal album.
When I saw they made a movie about these guys(the 2 whom are left), I said "I gotta see that". And I will soon.