[profondo rosso]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2008)

A going concern since 1978, Anvil are a heavy metal band who in 1982 released Metal on Metal, an album recognized as influencing and inspiring the likes of Metallica and Anthrax. Despite this they remained commercially unsuccessful and struggled through the decades despite releasing 12 albums.

Anvil: The Story of Anvil is a documentary that looks at a loss making European tour and the trials and tribulations of self producing their 13th album. Concentrating on singer Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner the bands two constant members and friends since they were children, the film is a heartwarming story of friendship and a life long attempt to achieve success against all the odds.

The European tour that forms the first third of the film is a disaster. Ruined by terrible management of the band and dodgy venue chiefs in Eastern Europe unwilling to pay the band their fees night after night. Some of this is so sad it's almost tragic. Seeing the band perform to 174 people in a 10,000 capacity venue verges on the pathetic, yet it's also remarkably funny as well. All through this the guys try to keep positive sure that success will eventually find them.

The rest of the film follows the guys as they attempt to make the album and get it out to the fans. Despite snagging a favour from acclaimed producer Chris Tsangarides and recording the album in England, record companies don't want to know and all seems lost.

Then a Japanese fan from their early days hears the album and invites them to Japan to play a metal festival which the band jump at only to discover they are opening the show at the unearthly hour of 11.30 am.

What follows is a definite bottom lip wobbling moment as the band, unprepared for what's to come, take the stage in front of ten thousand screaming fans.

Terrific stuff, this is highly recommended.

I heard about this when it came out Dem but thought it would just be another fly on the wall doc. This sounds wicked, a definite watch for me now. Cheers.