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Anvil: Juggernaut of Justice
Anvil Juggernaut of Justice album new music review

Anvil: Juggernaut of Justice

Heavy/Speed Metal
4.0/5.0

The End Records
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by Craig Hartranft,  05.30.2011

You can't keep a good man down, or a good metal band. Long suffering, but significant, beat down by managers, promoters, and labels, but never defeated, Canada's Anvil continues on. Juggernaut of Justice is their fourteenth album, now on The End Records Label.

Coming off the acclaim and resurrection that the movie Anvil: The Story of Anvil, one would expect either the best from the band or simply a mediocre offering that ride the crest of success. Thankfully, Juggernaut of Justice is the former: singer/guitarist Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner know a good thing, and opportunity, but remain, as always, humble and hungry. Juggernaut of Justice is pure Anvil. This is classic heavy/speed metal that transcends its 30 years. But then again, I'm a fan.

Juggernaut of Justice provides immense amounts of trad heavy/speed metal. The title cut, the massive When Hell Breaks Loose, On Fire, and Not Afraid rip it up with unrelenting passion. Some songs, F*ckin' Eh and Conspiracy blur the speed metal with classic Eighties metal. The speed metal swiftness sometimes merges with thrash for a brisk and efficient formula as on the rocker Turn It Up, but also Running. Against these, Anvil offers the moderate metal pace of New Orleans Voodoo.

But, also, Anvil throw some curves, things that don't necessarily fit their mold. The first is the lengthy Paranormal, a mixture of traditional metal with near doom elements. It does get a little frisky at the end. Then there's the closer, Swing Thing, which will perplex both fans and critics enough to dismiss it as trivial. It's speed metal mixed with groove and jazz. Did I hear horns? Is it forward thinking on Anvil's part? It sounds good.

The band endures. Anvil, the unsung pioneers who influenced the greats, are in fine form on Juggernaut of Justice. Sure it's fundamental heavy/speed metal, but isn't that the point? I wish there were more current bands to take up Anvil's banner. Quite recommended.




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In Short

The band endures. Anvil, the unsung pioneers who influenced the greats, are in fine form on Juggernaut of Justice. Sure it's fundamental heavy/speed metal, but isn't that the point? Quite recommended.

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